a) Structured cabling refers to a standardized cabling infrastructure that is designed to support multiple hardware uses and be easily manageable. It typically consists of several smaller, standardized elements called subsystems.
b) The design criteria for a structured cabling system should be developed with the following considerations in mind:
1. Scalability: The cabling system should be able to accommodate future growth and changes in technology without requiring major overhauls.
2. Flexibility: The cabling system should be able to support a wide range of communication technologies and equipment, such as voice, data, video, and other multimedia applications.
3. Reliability: The cabling system should be designed to provide a high level of performance and minimize downtime or disruptions.
4. Standards Compliance: The cabling system should adhere to industry standards and best practices to ensure compatibility with other systems and equipment.
5. Structured Layout: The cabling system should be organized in a logical and systematic manner to facilitate easy installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
6. Cable Management: Proper cable management should be implemented to ensure neat and organized routing of cables, reduce interference, and facilitate future modifications or upgrades.
7. Security: The cabling system should incorporate appropriate security measures to protect against unauthorized access, tampering, or data breaches.
8. Cost-effectiveness: The design should balance performance and functionality requirements with cost considerations to provide a cost-effective solution for the organization.