Author Archives

Liz Goldsmith

Clean as a whistle

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Fibre optic cleaning techniques are based on the removal of types of dust or oily matter. Single soils are relatively easy to remove compared with ‘combination soils’ that might be dust, combined with human body oil or hand lotion. Understanding the inter-dynamic of location of debris and its physical type is critical to removal. As speeds and capacities increase, and as deployments proliferate, there is a need to consider not only future, but also, heritage installations. Designers, installers and trainers face updates and backdates.

Cabling future-ready commercial office buildings

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The concept of networking in office buildings evolving from a competitive selling feature to a necessary fourth utility alongside electricity, gas, and water has developed in the last 10 years. The need to enable more instrumentation and control points inside buildings requires wired and wireless networks to connect them back to the services that orchestrate their overall operations. The fourth utility has to span from basement to roof, and from carpeted floors to the parking garage. Cabling infrastructure that is not future-ready will require replacement or augmentation to accommodate the inevitable changes to the attached active electronics over the cabling’s 20-year useful life.

Should LAN installers hit the 5G panic button? Questions for IDEAL Networks

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Very recently on its website, IDEAL Networks posed the salient premise and question, 5G is coming – should LAN installers panic? Interest around 5G has built significantly over the past year. But should this promise of improved mobile performance be a cause for concern for LAN cable providers and installers? Read the  answers to the six questions posed by IDEAL.

Cybersecurity’s Path in the Future of BACnet

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No system out there is impenetrable. But BACnet, an ANSI/ASHRAE and global ISO standard that covers a rage of IoT, IP and operational technology devices, is exploitable. The more than 25 million BACnet devices — which include HVAC, lighting controls, ACS, mart meters, elevator controls, UPS and other building automation systems — are easy points of entry even for a novice hacker.

Planning for Wireless Growth in Buildings

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Five years ago, digital analysts declared that the number of devices had officially surpassed the number of people in the world. And, by 2025, analysts predict there will be 6 to 10 networked devices per person. To keep up with demand, wireless access points (WAPs) can now support up to 200 client devices. This sounds like a lot, until you think about a large office building, university lecture hall, convention hotel, or airport. In facilities like these, large numbers of employees, students, and travelers are connecting multiple devices: a laptop computer, wireless phone, tablet, smart watch, handheld game console, or any number of other connected devices – potentially all at the same time! And, don’t forget building functions: many of the sensors and devices that connect and control lighting, HVAC, and security systems connect wirelessly. Suddenly, those 200 client devices are accounted for pretty quickly.

Editorial Guide: Data Center Interconnect Trends

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Download this editorial guide to learn about the trends impacting data center interconnects. The data center interconnect space has seen a wealth of innovation – which means a lot of choices for network operators. From the physical layer to the application of artificial intelligence and open system concepts, the data center interconnect space is rapidly evolving.

Open Eye Consortium releases PAM4 53-Gbps single-mode transceiver module specification

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The Open Eye Consortium (Open Eye MSA) has released a specification for fully analog 53-Gbps per lane PAM4 transmission over single-mode fiber. The MSA members expect the specification will lead to development of 50G SFP, 100G DSFP, 100G SFP-DD, 200G QSFP, and 400G QSFP-DD and OSFP single-mode modules that are less expensive and complex than digital approaches that require DSPs.