Network System Integration Requirements Analysis and Solution Design

Author: Peng Zulin, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book is divided into three parts. The first part (Part 1) introduces the basic knowledge of cabling and networking, which is essential for a qualified network system integration engineer. The second part (Part 2) primarily covers the commonly used equipment in network system integration and its configuration. The third part (Part 3) provides a detailed explanation of the specific issues in demand analysis and solution design for network system integration. This book is suitable for IT professionals, managers, as well as design and construction personnel involved in network system integration. It can also serve as a reference for faculty and students in higher education institutions.
[Preface]
In the past, traditional cabling methods were prevalent. When laying voice or data lines for a building or a group of buildings, different manufacturers' cables, patch panels, and connectors were often used. For example:
- User exchanges typically used twisted-pair cables;
- Computer systems often used thick or thin coaxial cables;
- Telephones and computer local area networks were all independent;
- Each system was designed and installed by different manufacturers. Traditional cabling used different cables and terminal connectors. Moreover, the plugs, sockets, and patch panels used to connect these different cabling systems were not compatible.
Office layouts and environments often change, requiring adjustments to office equipment or replacements due to new technologies. This necessitates replacing the cabling. Over time, unused old cables left behind due to the addition of new cables led to a chaotic accumulation of cables within buildings, creating significant hazards. Maintenance was inconvenient, and renovations were also very difficult.
Due to the shortcomings of traditional cabling, network system integration equipment manufacturers, capable cabling companies, and research institutions proposed their own solutions. Among them, the research conducted by Bell Labs of AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) drove revolutionary changes in cabling systems, leading to the birth of network integration systems.
With the rapid development of communication technology and the information industry, smart buildings (IB, Intelligent Building) increasingly rely on computers, control devices, and communication equipment to intelligently manage and control all building equipment, voice exchanges, data terminals, network devices, video equipment, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), fire protection systems, security surveillance, power systems, and heating systems, achieving the goals of information exchange and resource sharing. Given the complexity and variability of information types and distribution in such systems and equipment, an effective cabling system must be established to interconnect different control devices, switching devices, network devices, and computer devices. Thus, the development of smart buildings also spurred the emergence of new network integration systems.
After years of research, Bell Labs' experts, after successful trials in office buildings and factories, pioneered the launch of SYSTIMAT MPDS (Building and Campus Integrated Cabling System) in the late 1980s, which has since evolved into the Structured Cabling System (SCS). It has been named Generic Cabling System (GCS) by the National Standard of the People's Republic of China, GB/T 50311-2000. It can be said that this research has had an epoch-making impact on the cabling construction and design of network integration systems, with immeasurable value and significance.
Cabling for network integration systems is a modular, highly flexible information transmission channel within a building or among a group of buildings. It not only connects voice, data, image equipment, and switching devices with other information management systems but also links these devices to the external network. It also includes all cables and related connecting components between the external network or telecommunication lines and application system equipment. The current building and campus integrated cabling system refers to the information transmission medium system within a building (or a comprehensive building) or a group of buildings. It combines cables of the same type or similar specifications (e.g., twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, or fiber optic cables) and connecting hardware into a standardized, universal system, integrated in a specific order and internal relationship. Therefore, it is currently a comprehensive cabling system centered on communication automation. With the advancement of science and technology, it will continue to improve and evolve, eventually meeting the full requirements of smart buildings.
Network integration systems were introduced into China, and due to differences in product types among countries, their definitions varied. In September 1997, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of China issued the communication industry standard YD/T 926.1—1997, "Building Communication Comprehensive Cabling System—Part 1: General Specification," which defined the integrated cabling system as: "A universal cabling system composed of communication cables, optical cables, various flexible cables, and related connecting hardware, capable of supporting multiple application systems." Overall, network integration systems have become the preferred choice for future large-scale buildings, an undeniable fact. Moreover, they are poised to become a new profit growth point for cabling manufacturers and construction companies, as evidenced by the fierce competition among current network integration system vendors.
However, the development of network integration systems is relatively short, and there are still many areas to be improved. Many standards are still being formulated and refined, and construction issues and experiences are continuously being accumulated and summarized. All of this requires the efforts of network integration system engineers. But we believe that the future of network integration systems is bright—they will undoubtedly dominate the market for smart buildings and become an essential component of intelligent buildings.
This book is written as an introductory guide based on the rapid development of network integration systems and comprehensive cabling. It emphasizes detailed explanations of fundamental knowledge. It should be noted that this book differs from previous construction and design books on network integration systems, which generally only outline the steps of cabling construction and design. Here, it also provides more detailed explanations of communication and networking-related professional knowledge. This knowledge is not useless; on the contrary, to become a senior network integration and comprehensive cabling construction and design professional, one must possess a solid theoretical foundation. Therefore, one of the important purposes of this book is to emphasize that we not only need ordinary cabling construction and design personnel but also need cabling engineers who deeply understand theory and can engage in creative design. These require a solid theoretical foundation as guidance. This book can be said to have made a beneficial attempt in this regard. We hope that relevant personnel, before entering the hall of network integration and comprehensive cabling, first possess a solid foundation in network and cabling basics.
Editor 2004.4