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2.4.5 Wiring Distribution Facts

As a network administrator, you are often responsible for both data and telephone wiring for your organization. In this lesson, you will learn
about:

Demarcation points
Main distribution frames (MDFs) and intermediate distribution frames (IDFs)
Punch down blocks
Patch or distribution panels
MDF, IDF, and patch panel documentation

Demarcation Points

When you contract with a local exchange carrier (LEC) for data, internet, or telephone services, they install a physical cable and a termination
jack onto your premises.

The demarc (short for demarcation point) is the line that marks the boundary between the telco equipment or cable and your private network or telephone system.
The demarc is also called the minimum point of entry (MPOE) or the end user point of termination (EU-POT).
In businesses, the demarc is typically located on the bottom floor of a building, just inside the building, and identified by an orange plastic cover on the wiring
component.
In residential buildings, the demarc is often a small box on the outside of the house.
The demarc may be:
A box on the wall with a simple RJ45 connection
A 50-pin RJ21 connector
A fiber optic connection
A port on a network interface device (NID)
If needed, a demarc extension can be used to move the demarc to another location in a building. For example, if your organization uses only one floor of a
building, you will want the demarc where it is not exposed to other organizations.
You are responsible for installing the demarc extension, but the LEC might do it for an additional charge.
Normally, the LEC is responsible for all equipment on one side of the demarc, and the customer is responsible for all equipment on the other side of the demarc.

While a NID can be a passive demarc that organizes the cable and connections, a more intelligent NID, known as smartjack, may be provided
by the LEC.

Smartjacks are maintained by the LEC.

Smartjacks are typically used for more complex services, such as a T1 line.
Smartjacks can provide signal conversions, buffer signals, and regenerate signals.
Smartjacks may provide diagnostic capabilities for the LEC.
The loopback capability can be used to test signals by transmitting them back to the LEC.
Alarm indicators can report trouble to the LEC.
Indicator lights can show the configuration and status of the Smartjack.

Main Distribution Frames (MDFs) and Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs)

Strictly speaking, a main distribution frame (MDF) is a frame or rack that is used to interconnect and manage telecommunication wiring in a
building. It functions like an old-time telephone switchboard, where operators used connecting wires to route telephone calls. Today's MDF
describes the room that houses the traditional MDF along with networking patch panels. Often, rack mounted equipment is also housed in an
MDF.

A traditional MDF may exist in a dedicated room or a within rack space in a datacenter.
An MDF is usually located on the bottom floor or basement of a building.
All internet or WAN demarcation points are normally near or within the MDF.

A traditional intermediate distribution frame (IDF) is a smaller wiring distribution frame or rack within a building. Like an MDF, the room
that houses the IDF along with networking patch panels and rack-mounted equipment is called an IDF.

IDFs are typically located on each floor directly above the MDF, although additional IDFs can be added on each floor as necessary.
IDFs located above the MDF are connected using a vertical cross connect (VCC), or wire bundles that run vertically between the MDF and an IDF.
If a floor has more than one IDF, the IDFs are connected with a horizontal cross connect (HCC).

Punch Down Blocks

Punch down blocks are the predecessors to patch panels. They are commonly used to support low-bandwidth Ethernet and telephony wiring.

Block Type Description

A 66 block is a punch down block used to connect individual copper wires together.

The 66 block has 25 rows of four metal pins. Pushing a wire into a pin pierces the plastic sheath on the
wire, making contact with the metal pin.
There are two different 66 block configurations:
In the 25-pair block (also called a non-split block), all four pins are bonded (electrically
connected). Use the 25-pair block to connect a single wire with up to three other wires.

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With the 50-pair block (also called a split block), each set of two pins in a row are bonded.
Use the 50-pair block to connect a single wire to one other wire.
With a 50-pair block, use a bridge clip to connect the left two pins to the right two pins. Adding or
removing the bridge clip is an easy way to connect wires within the row for easy testing purposes.
66 blocks are used primarily for telephone applications. When used for data applications:

Be sure to purchase 66 blocks rated for Cat5.

When inserting wires in the block, place both wires in a pair through the same slot to preserve the twist
as much as possible.

A 110 block is a punch down block used to connect individual wires together.

66 block The 110 block comes in various sizes for connecting pairs of wires (for example 50, 100, or 300 pair).
The 110 block has rows of plastic slots. Each plastic slot connects two wires together.
Place the first wire into the plastic slot on the 110 block.
Insert a connecting block over the wire and slot. The connecting block has metal connectors
that pierce the plastic cable sheath.
Place the second wire into the slot on the connecting block.
C4 connectors connect four pairs of wires; C5 connectors connect five pairs of wires.
When connecting data wires on a 110 block, you typically connect wires in the following order:
White wire with a blue stripe followed by the solid blue wire.
White wire with an orange stripe followed by the solid orange wire.
White wire with a green stripe followed by the solid green wire.
White wire with a brown stripe followed by the solid brown wire.
110 block
110 blocks are used primarily for telephone applications. They are preferable over 66 blocks in high-speed
networks because the introduce less crosstalk. When used for data applications:

Be sure to purchase 110 blocks that are certified for Cat 5, Cat 6 and Cat 6a.
When inserting wires, preserve the twist as much as possible.

Use a punch down tool to insert wires into 66 or 110 blocks.

The punch down tool pushes the wire into the block and cuts off the excess wire.
Be sure to position the blade on the side of the clip toward the end of the wire.
The blade for a 66 block is straight, while the blade for a 110 block is notched.

Patch or Distribution Panels

In an MDF or IDF, punch down blocks are rarely used for network cabling. Instead, twisted pair cables are terminated at a patch panel.

Typically, individual four-pair cables are used rather than 25-pair or 100-pair cables. This takes advantage of cable shielding and minimizes cross-talk.
In large applications, bundles of 25- and 100-pair cables can be used for VCCs and HCCs. However, they should be certified to support the desired
network speed.
Twisted pairs are connected at the rear of the panel with connections similar to punch down blocks. A special tool is usually required.

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At the front of the panel, patch cables are used between the patch panel and network devices.

A patch panel for fiber optic cabling is called a fiber distribution panel.

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Documentation

Keeping an MDF or IDF organized is a major challenge. One key to doing so is proper documentation. Here are some guidelines:

Develop a naming convention and use it to label cables, wall jacks, patch panel ports, network devices, and racks.
Record names in tables and diagrams.
Include location, installation dates, cable lengths, and cable grades.
Consider using documentation software. Perform an internet search for cable plant documentation software or cable management software to view
available options.

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