The process of installing a large structured cabling system is so simple and logical that even a novice network tech can do it, following the published guidelines.

True / False Questions
 

31. (p. 108) The process of installing a large structured cabling system is so simple and logical that even a novice network tech can do it, following the published guidelines. 
FALSE

32. (p. 112) Ideally, once you install horizontal cabling, you should never move it.
TRUE

33. (p. 114) Patch panels allow you to connect only one kind of cabling; that is, they support only UTP, STP, or fiber, but not a mixture of different types.
FALSE

34. (p. 114) Patch cables should be solid core cables to provide extra strength and prevent the cables from breaking easily when you move them.
FALSE

35. (p. 114) In Chapter 6, the author strongly recommends that you strictly follow the TIA/EIA 606 labeling methodology when labeling the connections on patch panels.
FALSE

36. (p. 116) Unlike cabling, female RJ-45 jacks used in wall outlets do not have CAT ratings.
FALSE

37. (p. 120) It is a good idea to place the equipment room in a high-humidity area.
FALSE

38. (p. 132) If Windows installs the driver for a NIC, you should use it rather than using a driver that comes from the manufacturer of the NIC.
FALSE

39. (p. 127) Windows Vista shows the status of disconnected networks via the network status icon in the Notification area of the taskbar.
TRUE

40. (p. 135) If a user gets a "No server found" error, it usually points to a problem with the network software.
FALSE

41. (p. 112) A 2U server measures 7 inches.
FALSE

42. (p. 137) A standby power supply is always on and powers the system while the battery charges.
FALSE

43. (p. 136-137) Documenting cable runs is a very important part of cable management.
TRUE

44. (p. 137) Temperature and humidity are critical factors in server rooms and computing facilities.
TRUE

45. (p. 110) Stranded core cabling is most often used for horizontal cabling runs.
FALSE

Fill in the Blank Questions
 

46. (p. 107) __________________ is the organization that defines structured cabling standards.
TIA/EIA

47. (p. 111) The demarc, telephone cross-connects, and LAN cross-connects normally are all together in a room known as the __________________.
main distribution frame (MDF)

48. (p. 111) Most cables run from the __________________ to the work area.
telecommunications room

49. (p. 109) A single piece of installed horizontal cabling is called a(n) __________________
run

50. (p. 111) According to the TIA/EIA specifications, UTP horizontal cabling should always be __________________ UTP.
solid core

51. (p. 120) When you cannot run cables inside a wall, use a(n) __________________ that attaches to the wall and allows you to install cabling outside the wall, while providing some protection to the cable.
raceway

52. (p. 116) When testing a cable run, always include the __________________.
patch cables

53. (p. 111) The heart of the basic star, or the area where all horizontal cablings come together, is known as the __________________ or, more technically, the intermediate distribution frame (IDF).
telecommunications room

54. (p. 113) You connect horizontal cables to connectors in the back of a box known as a(n) __________________.
patch panel

55. (p. 114) Whether you use the methodology defined by the EIA/TIA 606 standard, or come up with your own internal code, it is important for you to place __________________ on the front of patch panels to identify the cables.
labels

56. (p. 114) You should buy a patch panel that matches the __________________ rating of the UTP cabling you are using.
CAT

57. (p. 115) Most premade patch cables come with reinforced __________________ connectors specially designed to handle multiple insertions and removals.
RJ-45

58. (p. 114) You attach the PC to a wall outlet with a(n) __________________.
patch cable

59. (p. 116) The location that is the most common source of networking failures is the __________________.
work area

60. (p. 119) The first thing that a professional cable installer should ask for is a(n) __________________.
floor plan

61. (p. 119) The location where the network cable comes out of the wall at the work area is known as a(n) __________________.
cable drop

62. (p. 120) To ensure that the equipment room will have a reliable power source that is adequate for its needs, it is a good idea to wire the equipment room with __________________.
its own dedicated circuit

63. (p. 112) All network equipment racks use a unique height measurement called a(n) __________________.
U or unit

64. (p. 123) After making the connections, the next thing that an installer should do is __________________.
test each cable to ensure that every connection meets the requirements of the network

65. (p. 128) A(n) __________________ is a type of expensive cable tester that is able to generate a report.
cable certifier

66. (p. 137) If your UPS kicks in too often, install a(n) __________________ to track the voltage over time.
voltage event recorder

67. (p. 133) A NIC's __________________ is a common point of failure.
port

68. (p. 130) If you bend a fiber-optic cable too far, you will cause __________________.
light leakage

69. (p. 136) A broken cable must be __________________
replaced

70. (p. 132) If you have a laptop that does not have a built-in NIC, the USB or the __________________ connections will allow you to add a NIC.
PC Card

71. (p. 134) Many __________________ NICs do not have lights, making diagnosing problems more difficult.
fiber-optic

72. (p. 128) The farther light travels on a fiber-optic cable, the more likely it is to experience __________________, the weakening of the signal.
attenuation

73. (p. 129) If you suspect a break in a fiber-optic cable, use a(n) __________________ to determine if there is a break, and to pinpoint the location of the break.
optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR)

74. (p. 126) You can use a multimeter to test for __________________ on a UTP cable.
continuity (broken cable)

75. (p. 137) If horizontal cabling is not properly labeled, use a(n) __________________ to trace the cables.
toner

Essay Questions
 

76. (p. 107) What is the definition of structured cabling? 

Structured cabling is a set of standards used worldwide to install physical network cabling in a safe and orderly fashion.

77. (p. 108) While many are pushing wireless networking, in reality wireless networks have several disadvantages when compared with 100BaseT and Gigabit Ethernet. Name at least two disadvantages of wireless networks. 

Disadvantages of wireless networks, as compared with 100-megabit or Gigabit Ethernet, are that they are unreliable, have relatively slow speeds, and are more vulnerable to security issues.

78. (p. 109) What is BICSI? 

BICSI is an organization that specifies a series of widely recognized certifications for the cabling industry.

79. (p. 110) What are the two types of UTP cabling, based on the wire core? 

The two types of UTP cabling, based on the wire core, are solid core and stranded core UTP.

80. (p. 112) In general terms, describe the equipment you would install on an equipment rack, including the size of the equipment and the method of attaching it. 

All network equipment that you would expect to find in an equipment room comes in rack-mounted versions, including servers, UPSes, switches, and more. This equipment is designed to fit inside the 19-inch wide equipment racks, and comes in varying heights (as do the racks) that are measured in a unit called a U, which is 1.75 inches. The equipment attaches to the racks with screws.

81. (p. 113) Describe the most common type of patch panel currently in use. 

A 110-punchdown block is the most common type of patch panel in use today.

82. (p. 115-116) From a cabling standpoint, what is a work area? 

From a cabling standpoint, a work area is nothing more than a wall outlet that serves as the termination point for horizontal network cables and an insertion point for a PC and a telephone.

83. (p. 116) Why does the TIA/EIA 568 specification call for a different maximum cable length than that specified by the IEEE standard? 

The EIA/TIA 568 specification calls for a different maximum cable length for the horizontal runs than that specified by the IEEE standard because patch cables add extra distance - both in the telecommunications room, and at the work area. Therefore, the EIA/TIA compensates by reducing the horizontal cabling length in their specification.

84. (p. 120) Why is it a good idea to add some extra drops when you install the cable initially? 

It is a good idea to add some extra drops when you initially install cable to allow for future growth of the network. It will be easier and cheaper to install extra drops at the same time that you do the major cable installation.

85. (p. 120) What are the five issues that one must consider in determining where to place the telecommunications room? 

The five issues one must consider in determining where to place the telecommunications room are: distance, power, humidity, cooling, and access.

86. (p. 110) When you're running cable, what is the heart of a basic star network? 

When you're running cabling, the telecommunications room is the heart of the basic star.

87. (p. 113) What do you use a punchdown tool for? 

You use a punchdown tool to attach (punch down) wires into the back of a jack or patch panel.

88. (p. 124) Explain two cable management devices that simplify managing patch cables. 

Devices that simplify managing patch cables are plastic D-rings that guide the patch cables neatly along the sides and front of the patch panels, and finger boxes, rectangular cylinders with slots in the front, and keep them organized.

89. (p. 125) Explain two alternative strategies for organizing cables in the patch panel, relative to the actual network. 

One strategy for organizing cables in a patch panel is to mirror the physical layout of the network. Another strategy is to match the logical topology of the network with different sections for user groups or company organizations.

90. (p. 114, 116) Where are the two places where you should label a network connection? 

A network connection should be labeled at each end of the same cable and both labels should say the same thing. That is, it should be labeled both on the faceplate in the work area and at the jack on the patch panel in the telecommunications room.

91. (p. 127) What is a time domain reflectometer (TDR)? 

A time domain reflectometer (TDR) is a medium-priced type of cable tester that you can use to test installed cables to determine if they are broken, where the break is, and how long the cable is.

92. (p. 119) Provide an explanation of why it is important for you to study the floor plan of a building before installing network cabling. 

Studying the floor plan of a building in which you are planning to install cabling will be an aid to planning because you will find the location of closets that might serve as telecommunications rooms. The floor plan will alert you to the location of firewalls that will be difficult to penetrate for running cable, and it will give you an idea of the scope of the cabling job.

93. (p. 122) Briefly discuss how you would run cable down from the ceiling to the work area. 

First, I would decide where to place the outlets, using a stud finder to avoid cutting into a stud, and then I would cut a hole for the outlet. The next step would be to drop a weighted line (usually a nylon pull rope) to the hole and grasp the end. Once I have the end of the horizontal cable run attached to the pull rope, I would pull the cable through the hole. After installing an outlet box or low-voltage mounting bracket, I would crimp the cable to the back of the jack, attach the jack to a faceplate, and install the faceplate in the outlet box or mounting bracket.

94. (p. 130) Give a justification for learning the process of installing structured cables, even though you only plan to support networks, not install them. 

It is valuable to learn and understand the process of installing structured cables because this knowledge will be useful in troubleshooting most of the problems that come up in an installed structured cabling system. It will also give you the vocabulary to work with cable installers efficiently.

95. (p. 116) In networking terms, describe a demarc. 

A demarc (short for demarcation point) is the location in a building at which all the cables from the outside world come into the building.

96. (p. 117) Describe the purpose of a network interface unit (NIU), and give an example of a device considered to be an NIU. 

A network interface unit (NIU) serves as a demarc in a private home that has an Internet connection via cable or DSL. Therefore, a DSL or cable modem is an example of an NIU.

97. (p. 132) Why do network techs often use a USB NIC when troubleshooting the network? 

They can easily insert a USB NIC into a computer and move the network cable to it to determine if the old NIC is bad.

98. (p. 133) What does it mean if the link light on a NIC is not lit? 

If a link light on a NIC is not lit, the NIC is not connected to a hub or switch.

99. (p. 133) What are the four possible types of link lights that a NIC may have and their purposes? 

One of the four different link lights that a NIC might have is a link or connection light that lights if the NIC is connected to a hub or switch. A multispeed NIC might have a separate link light for each speed mode. Another possible light is an activity light that flickers when there is network traffic. Some older NICs had collision lights that lit when the NIC detected a collision on the wire.

100. (p. 130) Explain the difference between attenuation and dispersion. 

While attenuation is the weakening of a signal as it travels long distances, dispersion occurs when a signal spreads (in effect, scatters) as it travels long distances. Attenuation can cause dispersion, and vice versa.

101. (p. 135) Describe a loopback plug and explain its purpose. 

A loopback plug is an external plug that, when connected to network wiring or a NIC, can generate return signals for testing purposes.

102. (p. 136) Briefly explain how to get a complete test of the cabling from the switch to a computer in a work area. 

Using a time domain reflectometer (TDR), test a cable run including the patch cables on either end. To do this, unplug the patch cable from the PC, and attach a tester. Then, in the communications room, unplug the appropriate patch cable from the switch and plug it into the tester.

103. (p. 137) Explain why it is important to have a temperature monitor in a serious telecommunications room. 

Telecommunications room equipment is sensitive to temperature extremes and can shut down if, for instance, they overheat. Therefore, it is important to maintain and monitor the temperature in a telecommunications room.

104. (p. 137) You suspect power outages in a telecommunications room. Describe the tool you would use, and how you would use it. 

If I suspected power outages in a telecommunications room, I would plug in a voltage event recorder to the power outlet on the circuit supplying the room and leave it there to record the voltage over a period of time. When I retrieved it, I would know if and when the power outages were occurring.

105. (p. 138) You need to solve some network connection problems, but unfortunately many labels are missing from the patch panel in the telecommunications room. Briefly describe the tool you would use, and how you would use it, to trace the cables so that you can properly label both ends of each cable on the patch panel and in the work area. 

This requires tracing the cables with a toner, which has two separate devices. Beginning at one end of the patch panel, I would disconnect the patch cable connected to the first port and plug in the tone generator. Then I, or a co-worker, would go to each work area and place the tone probe next to the other end of each cable that might be the right one. When the tone probe makes a sound at the correct frequency, we will have located the other end, and can properly label both ends.