ANSI/TIA-606-B

Th Updated
The U d t d Label
L b l St
Standard
d d

Todd Fries
CHANGES FROM LAST REVISION

• Adopts identification scheme specified in TIA-606-A Addendum 1

• Allows existing TIA

TIA-606-A
606 A identifier formats to continue to be used where they are already in use
use.

• NOTE: An identifier is simply the “printed” text that will appear on a label as related to the standard.

• Harmonized with ISO/IEC 14763-2-1

• Creates new identification format for Cabling Subsystem 1 link identifiers (Horizontal links), Cabling
Subsystem 2 and 3 links (Backbone cables) as well as telecommunications outlets, equipment
outlets, splices, consolidation points and outdoor telecommunication spaces.

• Extends administration to all inter

inter-building
building telecommunications cabling

• Creates new identifiers for telecommunications outlets, equipment outlets, splices, consolidation
points and outdoor telecommunication spaces (maintenance holes, pedestals, hand holes, etc.)

• Administers Cabling
g Subsystem
y 2 and 3 links by
yppair g
groups,
p corresponding
p g to p
ports ((Pairs, strands
and grouping identifiers) rather than copper pairs or single fibers. See clause 6.1.2.

• Administration of grounding and bonding systems beyond the TMGB and TGB

• Provides information on implementing automated infrastructure management systems.

LEGACY IDENTIFIERS

The standard specifies two formats

1. One fully backward compatible to TIA-606-A

2. One based on TIA-606-A , addendum 1, but modified to

be compatible with ISO/IEC TR14763-2-1 identifiers.
This is meant for administration systems
y that are meant
to be deployed internationally.

3 Voted to publish 2/7/2012

3.
VISIBILITY AND DURABILITY 11.1

The size,
size color
color, and contrast of all labels should be
selected to ensure that the identifiers are easily read.
Labels should be visible during normal maintenance of
th infrastructure.
the i f t t

Labels should be resistant to the environmental

conditions at the point of installation (such as moisture,
heat, or ultraviolet light), and should have a design life
equal to or greater than that of the labeled component.
LABELING 4.4

Labels DO NOT need to include full identifiers

identifiers.
Only a portion of the identifiers needed to identify the
component within the space it is located are required
required.
11.2 MECHANICAL GENERATION

“The text on labels shall be machine generated.”

CONVENTIONS AND SYMBOLS

“+”
+ sign in front of an identifier specifies that the
next portion of the identifier is a location aspect for
ISO/IEC TR 14763-2-1 compatible identifiers.
Plus only needs to appear in the records section and
not on the actual label.

“=” sign in front of an identifier specifies a function aspect.

(Example: =XO for telecommunications outlet)
CONVENTIONS AND SYMBOLS [[[+c]+b][f]s.][x]y

Anything in square brackets [ ] may not be present depending on class.

, , , , are variable fields
Characters in italics “k,l,m,o,u”
The period “.” separates the portion of the identifier for the space from the
identifier for the portion of the rack or frame
The colon “:” is used as a prefix to port identifiers
The underscore “_” character separates the vertical and horizontal coordinates
of a closure in a cabinet, frame or wall section or to separate a range of ports,
pairs or fiber numbers
numbers.
The forward slash “/” is used between near end/far end identifiers on a
horizontal cable, backbone cable or telecommunications pathway.
The backward slash “\” is used between near end/far end identifiers on a patch
cord or jumper.
The hyphen “-” is used to prefix portion of equipment identifiers (e.g. switch
name and switch port.
SELECT YOUR CLASS

Class 1 - FEWER THAN 100 users

users, single TS room

Class 2 - HUNDREDS OF USERS multiple TS’S in a

single building

Class 3 - 1000
1000+ USERS

Class 4 - 1000’s AND MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

4 CLASSES OF COMPLEXITY

CLASS 1

“An organization whose needs are served by a single

E i
Equipment
t Room.
R Th
The ER iis th
the only
l space TS
administered. There are no TR’s and no Cabling
S bs stem 2 and 3 cable labeling or o
Subsystem outside
tside plant
cabling systems to administer.”
REQUIRED IDENTIFIERS

(R) Cabling Subsystem 1 link identifier. (Horizontal Link)

(R) Patch panel port and patch panel termination point identifiers

(S) (R) TS Identifier

(R) Cabinet, rack, enclosure, wall segment identifier

(R) Patch panel or block identifier

Object is optional when
(R) TMG Identifier + from object the corresponding
elements are present
(R) TGB Identifier + from object

(R) BCT Identifier (bonding conductor telecommunications)

TS IDENTIFIER
5.1.1.1

F = Numeric character(s) identifying the floor of a

building occupied by the TS.

S = Alpha
Al h character(s)
h t ( ) uniquely
i l id
identifying
tif i ththe TS or
computer room on floor f.

+fs if compatible
p with
1A ISO/IEC TR14763-2-1
RACK, CABINET, FRAME & WALL SEGMENTS
51221
5.1.2.2.1

Add identifiers for racks and cabinets that can be applied to

any space. fs.xy
f
XY may use
Grid Coordinates (e.g. AG54) or
Row/Rack in large spaces (e.g. RAR05) or
Rack # for small spaces (e.g. R4 for Rack 4)

+fs.xy if compatible with

ISO/IEC TR14763-2-1
SAMPLE CABINET IDENTIFIER

AA AB AC AD AE AF AG AH AI AJ AK AL AM AN “X” Coordinate
01

02

03
04

05

06
Right Front
07
Corner
08 Sample
p
09 Cabinet
10

11

12
13

1A.AJO5
“Y” Coordinate
RACK/CABINET LOCATION EXAMPLE
IDENTIFICATION SCHEME FOR RACKS
AND CABINETS 5.1.2.6

All racks and cabinets should be labeled front and back.

This should be on a permanent part of the cabinet or rack?

For rooms with access floors, each rack and cabinet to

have a unique identifier based on floor tile coordinates. The
location of the floor space grid where the right front corner
of the cabinet is located determines the identifier.

If cabinet rests on more than one tile, the same corner of

each cabinet can be used to identify the grid location
location.

Example: Right front corner

CABINET & RACK LABELING
NON-GRID COORDINATE EXAMPLE
5124
5.1.2.4

There is no need for the row portion of the identifier if

(as example) the TS has only a single row of cabinets.

2C.1, 2C.2, 2C.3, 2C.4

Each rack marked as 1, 2, 3 and 4 in room 2C.

 PATCH PANEL IDENTIFIER
5.1.3.1.1

fs.x1y-r1 or AD02-45
r1 = One or two characters designating the patch panel
location beginning at the bottom. The quantity of characters
shall be the same for all patch panels in the cabinet or rack
rack.

Horizontal cable managers are not included when

sequencing patch panels
panels.
___ ___ ___ eg., AD02-45 would be the topmost patch
AD 02 - 45 panel in rack units from the bottom at location AD02

“X” coordinate +fs.x1y1+r1

Panel
Y coordinate
“Y” ISO/IEC
compatible
PATCH PANEL
IDENTIFIER
 PATCH PANEL IDENTIFIER
((Option
p #2)) 5.1.3.1.1

fs.x1y-r1 or AD02-F27
r1 = ann - One or two characters designating the patch
panel location, within cabinet/rack fs.x1Y1, beginning at
the bottom of the cabinet or rack. The letter indicating the
side may be A, B, C, D or N, S, E, W from the North,
South, East or West, or F and R for the front and rear.

Horizontal cable managers are not included when

sequencing patch panels.
___ ___ ___ eg.,
eg AD02 F27 would be the front patch
AD02-F27
AD 02 - F27 panel in rack/cabinet at location AD02

“X” coordinate
Panel
“Y” coordinate
PATCH PANEL IDENTIFIER
5.1.3.1.3.1

Where cables are diversely routed between patch panels,

l b l colors
label l or other
th fforms off id
identification
tifi ti shall
h ll b
be used
d tto
reflect cable route diversity.

Colors may be used for labels, modular jacks, twisted pair

patch cables, to indicate different applications (e.g.
production, test, development, Internet)

Use manufacturer provided labels and mounting surfaces

wherever possible.
p
PATCH PANEL LABELING
[[F1S1.][X1Y1-r1]
][ ] Ports PN1 to[F2S2.]X2Y2-r2
[ ] Ports PN2 513131
5.1.3.1.3.1

f1s1 = Space
p identifier optional.
p
X1Y1-r1 = Near end patch panel identifier and near end
room name may be omitted. (Near end / Far end room
can be omitted if within the same space.
PN = Port number range near end and or far end.

AJ05-35 p 01-24 to AQ03-35 p 01-24

Use of word Ports (P) is acceptable for clarification on patch panel labels
TWISTED PAIR PATCH PANEL IDENTIFIER
(Without Subpanels)

Near end patch panel location and panel identifier to be

followed by (if space permits) the far end panel location
and panel identifier + port numbers
AD02 35 p 01
AD02-35 01-06
06 to AG03-35
AG03 35 p 01
01-06
06
TWISTED PAIR PATCH PANEL IDENTIFIER
OPTIONAL

PANEL FZ54-45

Ports 01-24 to HDA01 AJ17-45 Ports 01-24

The Far end telecommunication space name MDA

(Main Distribution Area) or HDA (Horizontal Distribution Area)
can be added for additional information.
PATCH PANEL PORT IDENTIFIERS
(Single port 5.1.4.1)

f1s1.x1y1-r1:P1 or 1A.AJ05-35:01

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ eg., 1A.AJ05-35:01 would be data

1A. AJ 05 - 35:01 center on floor 1 in space A with

rack/cabinet at grid location AJ05

Patch panel B and port 01 in the rack/cabinet.

Data center
(optional)

“X” coordinate Panel Port

“Y” coordinate
di t

:B01 for subpanels

:01-06 range of ports
POWER/DATA
(Labeling 5.1.4.4)

Power and Data over balanced pairs may use

th following
the f ll i symbol.
b l
PATCH PANEL PORT IDENTIFIERS
(For patch panels that include sub panels) 5.1.4.1

f1s1.x1y1-r1:P1 pn or 1A.AJ05-35:B06

___ ___ ___ - ___ ___ eg.: 1A.AJ05-35:B6 would be data

1A. AJ 05 - 35:B06 center on floor 1 in space A with
rack/cabinet at grid location AJ05
Data center Patch panel B and port 6 in the
(optional) rack/cabinet “I”
rack/cabinet. I , “O”
O and “Q”
Q excluded.
excluded
Port
“X” coordinate Panel

“Y” coordinate Sub panel

PATCH PANEL PORT IDENTIFIERS
(Range of ports)

f1s1.x1y1-r1:PN1 or 1A.AJO5-35:01-06

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ e.g.., 1A.AJ05-35:01-06 would be data

1A. AJ 05 - 35:01-06 center on floor 1 in space A with

rack/cabinet at grid location AJ05

Data center Patch panel B and ports 1-6 in the rack/cabinet.

(optional)

“X” coordinate Panel

Port
“Y” coordinate
di t
CABLE BETWEEN PATCH PANELS/BLOCKS
F1S1.X1Y1-r1:P1[-P2] / F2S2.X2Y2-r2:P3[-P4]
5151
5.1.5.1

f1s1 = Space identifier optional.

X1Y1-r1 = Near end patch panel identifier (Near end/Far

end space ID can be omitted if within the same space
space.
5.1.5.3)

P = Port
P t number
b range near end
d and
d or ffar end.
d

AJ05 35:01 06 / AQ03

AJ05-35:01-06 AQ03-35:01-06
35:01 06
PRE-TERMINATED CABLE LABELING
MULTI FIBER TRUNK WITH MPO
& LC CONNECTORS

Free
standing
t di
equipment
no patch
panel
PRE-TERMINATED CABLE LABELING
P1n/P2n 5153
5.1.5.3

A 12-strand multi-fiber trunk cable equipped with MPO (multi

fiber) connectors on one end and LC connectors on the other
end.

Example of a label wrapped around a 12 strand subgroup:

FD12- 42-B Ports 01-06 / FG08-01- Ports 01-06

Grid Location One MPO Sequential

q 2 digit
g MPO/LC cables
Connection ID for each 12 are always
Panel strand cable 12 strand

Sub Panel
PRE-TERMINATED CABLE LABELING
PRE-TERMINATED CABLE LABELING
PRE-TERMINATED CASSETTE LABELING
CABLING SUBSYSTEM 1 LINK IDENTIFIER
5.1.7.3

All elements of the horizontal link shall be labeled at the

time they are installed with the horizontal link identifier.
WALL OUTLET/HORIZONTAL LINK

Example: Showing simple floor 1, Space A, Rack .1 with

panel 35 Rack units from bottom,, p
p port 08,, 09,, etc.
CABLING SUBSYSTEM 1 LINK
(ANSI/TIA-606-B) 5161
5.1.6.1

ack # 1

atch #

ar End rack # 2

ar end patcch #
ort #

ar end portt #
ear end pa

ear end po
ear end ra
Ne

Ne

Ne

Fa

Fa

Fa
x1y1 - r1 : p1 / x2y2 - r2 : p2
Class 1

AG09-27:01 / AJ06-27:01
Format recommended for links that terminate on panels or
blocks that are not in the same space.
EQUIPMENT ROOM OUTLET AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS OUTLET IDENTIFIERS
(Horizontal Link Suffix) 5181
5.1.8.1

AG04-35:01 / AD06-35:01=XL:05

XO = (OPTIONAL) Equipment Room Outlet

XC = (OPTIONAL) Consolidation
C lid ti Point
P i t
XL = (OPTIONAL) ZDA Port
XSz = (OPTIONAL) Splice where “z” is the appropriate
distance along the cable of the splice from the termination
point in the telecommunications
telecomm nications room or HDA
HDA.
NOTE: The :05 is the optional port on a consolidation point.
TMGB IDENTIFIER R

TS alpha #

TMGB
floor #

f s - TMGB

Class 1

1A-TMGB
TMGB MAIN GROUNDING BUSBAR
MULTIPLE ELEMENT 5.1.13.1

BONDING & GROUNDING IDENTIFIER R

i = optional sequence if more

than 1 TGB
G in a space. 2A-TGB1

a#
TS alpha
floor #

TGB
f s - TGB [ i ]

Class 1
IDENTIFIER FOR BONDING 5.1.19

CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO TMGB R

a#
TS alpha Applicable bonding identifiers
allow the / Object suffix.
#

TMGB
TMGB, TGB, MBN, RGB
floor

f s - TMGB / object

Class 1

1TER=TMGB/A12
IDENTIFIER FOR BONDING
CONDUCTOR ATTACHED TO TGB R

TS alpha #
Applicable bonding

Object
ffloor #

identifiers allow the /

TGB
Object suffix. TGB,

O
T

T
TBB, MBN, RGB

f s - TGB / object

Class 1

2C=TGB/acpanel
REQUIRED RECORDS – CLASS 1

Cabling Subsystem 1 Link

Can be done with a paper based system or non-proprietary

software.
4.1 GENERAL SPREADSHEETS

Each identifier and records makes up a row

row.

Each column contains a particular item of information for

the record.
SPREADSHEET
SCOPE OF ANSI-EIA-TIA-606

Identifiers
Pathway y Space
p
Termination
T i ti Termination
T i ti
Identifiers Identifiers
Hardware Position
Identifiers Identifiers
Cable Grounding
Identifiers Identifiers

Required Linkages

Telecommunications Records
Grounding
Pathway Records Cable
Records Records
Required
Termination Linkages
Termination
Hardware User
Position
Records Codes
Space Records
R
Records
d
TR CABLING SUBSYSTEM 1 LINK RECORDS
REQUIRED FOR THE NEEDS OF A CLASS 1 SYSTEM

Horizontal Link Records shall contain the following

i f
information.
ti
• Location of work area outlet connector (room, office, or grid local)
• Cabling Subsystem 1 Link Identifier (primary indexing identifier)
• Outlet connector type (8 position modular, T568B cat 6)
• Cross connect hardware (48 port modular patch panel
panel, T568A
T568A,
category 6)
• Cable type (4 pr, UPT, Cat 6, plenum)
• Cable Length (e.g.: 51m/154ft.)
• Service Record of link (e.g. passed category 6 at install 1/12/11.
RECORD KEEPING METHODS
CLASS 2

“An
An organization with one or more Telecommunication
spaces, but in a single building.”

An ER with one or more TS’s.

REQUIRED IDENTIFIERS

Identifiers required for a class 1 administration

system
t plus…..
l

• Building Cabling Subsystem 2 & 3 backbone cable identifier

• Building Cabling Subsystem 2 & 3 backbone port identifier

• Fire stopping location identifier

BACKBONE CABLE IDENTIFIER

fs1.x1y1-r1:P1[[P2]] / fs2.x2y2-r2:P3[[P4]]

1A AJ06-27:01-24
1A.AJ06 27:01 24 / 2A
2A.AG09
AG09-27:01-24
27:01 24
Can be a single port or range of ports 6.1.3

ISO = +1A.AJ06+27:01/+2A.AG09+27:01
BACKBONE CABLE IDENTIFIER
ANSI/TIA606-B 6.1.2.3

In the new standard,, it is treated almost the same as a

standard Cabling Subsystem 1 link identifier as
described in a Class 1 installation.
Administration of backbone cables is by pair groups
(corresponding to ports) rather than copper pairs or
single fibers.
Each port or pair on a building Cabling Subsystem 2 or
3 cable shall have a unique
q identifier. Individual optical
p
fibers and balanced pairs are typically color coded
rather than individually labeled.
BACKBONE CABLE PAIR GROUP IDENTIFIER
(For balanced pair groups. i.e. single pair, four pairs)
6121
6.1.2.1

fs1.x1y1-r1:p
p1 / fs2.x2y2-r2:p
p2
1A.AJ06-27:01 / 2A.AG09-27:01

New format based on pair groups corresponding

to p
ports ((rather than individual fibers or p
pairs))
P1 = port or termination at patch panel or block #1
P2 = port or termination at patch panel or block #2

Terminating both ends with modular jack = 4 pair

Terminating both ends on IDC blocks = 2 pair

FIRESTOPPING LOCATION IDENTIFIER
Compatible with ISO/IEC 14763-2-1
614
6.1.4

[[C1-]b
[[ ][f1]s1 / [[
] 1-][ [[C2-]b ][f2]s2=U(n[d)])=
] 2-][ ( [ )]) F[m]
[ ]

SF02 2A/3A U(3) F

SF02-2A/3A=U(3)=F
The Firestop
p for conduit sleeve 3 would be between
Telecom rooms 2A and 3A in building SF02
U = Pathway
F = Firestop
REQUIRED RECORDS
CLASS 2

One TS record for each TS

Cabling Subsystem 1 link records as specified class I
One cabling subsystem 2 or 3 cable record for each
backbone cable
One TMGB record for each TMGB
One TGB record for each TGB
One Fire-stopping record for each location
CLASS 3

“A
A Telecommunications infrastructure serving an
organization or enterprise in a campus environment.
This could encompass several hundred to several
thousand users. There are multiple buildings and
outside plant cabling systems to identify.”
CLASS 3 REQUIRED IDENTIFIERS
(Those of Class 1 and 2 plus…)

Infrastructure Identifiers

Building Identifier

Campus Inter building cable Identifier. Backbone

Campus Inter building cable pair or optical fiber

identifier. Backbone
 7.1.3.1
INTER-BUILDING CABLE IDENTIFIER
(Backbone) R

c1-b1-f1s1.x1y1-r1:P1[P2] / c2-b2-f2s2.x2y2-r2:P3[P4]

A-ENG-1A AGO5-35:01-06 / B-ADM-1A

A-ENG-1A.AGO5-35:01-06 B-ADM-1A.AD06-35:01-06
AD06-35:01-06

Or

ENG 1A R4 35 01 06 / ADM
ENG-1A.R4-35:01-06 ADM-1A.R5-35:01-06
1A R5 35 01 06
 7.1.4.1
INTER-BUILDING CABLE PAIR/PORT
IDENTIFIER ((Backbone)) R

c1-b1-f1s1.x1y1-r1:P1 / c2-b2-f2s2.x2y2-r2:P3

A-ENG-1A AGO5-35:01 / B-ADM-1A

A-ENG-1A.AGO5-35:01 B-ADM-1A.AD06-35:01
AD06-35:01

Or

ENG 1A R4 35 01 / ADM
ENG-1A-R4-35:01 ADM-1A-R5-35:01
1A R5 35 01
REQUIRED RECORDS

All records from a Class 2 System

y

One Building Record for each building

One campus inter-building cable record for each

campus backbone cable.
CLASS 4

“A
A Telecommunications infrastructure that extends
across multiple geographic locations. Class 4 specifies
multiple
p campus
p telecommunications infrastructure.”
REQUIRED IDENTIFIERS

All identifiers from a Class 3 system including:

• Site or Campus Identifier
SITE OR CAMPUS IDENTIFIER R

C = One or more alphanumeric characters

identifying a site or campus. Additional identifiers
may be added if desired in parentheses after the
end of the required format
format.
SITE OR CAMPUS RECORD

Site or campus name

Site or campus location

Contact information for local administrator of infrastructure

List of all buildings at the site or campus

Location of main cross connect, if applicable

Access hours,
hours if applicable
AUTOMATED INFRASTRUCTURE
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS O

Administered by
y paper
p p based, p
proprietary,
p y
spreadsheets, databases.

Systems can be software and or hardware based

based.

The system should be capable of documenting the

i f t t
infrastructure elements
l t as described
d ib d iin thi
this standard.
t d d
COLORS
(Required if color coding is used)

Demarcation point Pantone 150C Orange

N
Network
k connection
i P
Pantone 3 3C Green
353C G
Common equipment Pantone 264C Purple
K system
Key t P t
Pantone 184C Red
R d
First level backbone Pantone White
(MC IC or IC-HC)Intra-building
(MC-IC IC HC)Intra building backbone Pantone 422C Gray
(IC-HC) Inter-building backbone Pantone 465C Brown
Horizontal Pantone 291C Blue
Other Pantone 101C Yellow
DATABASE MANAGEMENT

SOFTWARE BASED ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM

“A Class 1 to 4 administration system may alternately be

implemented by means of a simple spreadsheet in a non-
proprietary software program.”