CITNet 2000 Standards

Introduction

CITNet 2000 utilizes well known, established industry standards and best practices for structured cabling in order to provide the highest quality networks at Caltech. These standards are updated from time to time as newer standards become available (e.g., Gigabit, 10G, 100G, wireless b/g/n/ac, etc.), technology improvements allow improved functionality (e.g., fiber connectors, Cat 5, 5E, 6, 7, etc.), cost is driven down, or campus demand warrants. Note that these standards are subject to change without notice, so before starting any job project managers should check with VDN for the latest standards.

At the beginning of the CITNet 2000 project in 1997, we evaluated a number of structured cabling system vendors and standardized on the Panduit line. Consistent use of Panduit products has provided a number of benefits:

• Panduit provides a 25 year PanGen System Warranty on parts, labor, and performance, when we use certified solutions.
• Corning provides a 25 year LANscape System Warranty on parts, labor and performance, when installed as a certified solution.
• The Caltech Electric Shop is trained and certified in Panduit (copper) and Corning (fiber) installation.
• We minimize our spares inventory and diversity by standardizing.
• System maintenance, diagnosis, and repair are simplified.

Terminology Used In This Document

As in other fields, specialized terminology and acronyms are used to aid in discussion and reduce document length. If you encounter a term or acronym you are not familiar with, please browse our terminology page to gain an understanding of the term.

Published Standards

The following national and industry standards must apply to all voice and data network facilities designed, operated, managed, and maintained by VDN:

• Telecommunications Industry Association
  • TIA-526-7: Fiber Optic Communications Subsystem Test Procedures - Single Mode
  • TIA-526-14: Fiber Optic Communications Subsystem Test Procedures - Multimode
  • TIA-568-C.0: Generic Telecommunications Cabling for Customer Premises
  • TIA-568-C.1: Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Standard (Supersedes 568-B.1)
  • TIA-568-C.2: Balanced Twisted-Pair Telecommunications Cabling and Components Standards (Supersedes 568-B.2)
  • TIA-568-C.3: Optical Fiber Cabling Components Standard (Supersedes 568-B.3)
  • TIA-568-C.4: Broadband Coaxial Cabling and Components Standard
  • TIA-569-C: Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces
  • TIA-598-D: Optical Fiber Cable Color Coding
  • TIA-606-B: Administration Standard for Telecommunications Infrastructure
  • TIA-607-B: Generic Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding for Customer Premises
  • TIA-758-B: Customer-owned Outside Plant Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard
• Electronics Industry Alliance
  • EIA/ECA-310-E: Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment
• National Electrical Code
  • NFPA -70 (National Fire Protection Association)

Addendum, though not explicitly listed, are to be followed.

Collectively these are sometimes referred to as the "568 standards". Copies of these standards may be ordered from Global Engineering Documents. Caltech project managers should contact VDN directly to obtain copies of these.

Communication Standards

Additionally, all data networks must strictly conform to the following approved network protocol and interface standards. Draft standards are not acceptable.

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  • 802.3-2008: Ethernet
  • 802.3at-2009: DTE Power Enhancements
  • 802.3au-2006: Isolation requirements for Power Over Ethernet
  • 802.3bc-2009: Ethernet Organizationally Specific type, length, values
  • 802.1x-2008: Port Based Network Access Control
  • 802.11 (all protocols): Standards for Information Technology - Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems - Local and Metropolitan Area Networks

Supplemental Information

The standards above generally set the minimum levels or expectations when designing and deploying network facilities. Within the standards there are local choices to be made and room for requirements above the minimum. This section lists the known deviations from, choices within, or exceptional requirements beyond the published standards.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.0-August 2012

• E.2.3: Tier 2 OTDR testing is not optional.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.1-May 2012

• 6.1: Telecommunication Enclosures (TE) are not utilized at Caltech.
• 6.4: Copper cross connects are not used on all projects and are project specific. The maximum allowed distance for a copper pull-through cable is 85 m (279 ft). Splices are not permitted.
• 6.5: The maximum allowed distance for a pull-through cable is 85 m (279 ft).
• 7.2.1: Fiber connections shall be run from TR to TR direct without cross connects to facilitate 100Gbps deployment.
• 7.2.1: A two tier star network topology is utilized at Caltech. Tier 1is the campus backbone system. Tier 2 is the building MDF (primary Telecommunications Room (TR) to IDF (secondary TR) distribution system.
• 7.4.a: Supported unshielded twisted pair on campus include Category 6, Category 6a and Category 7.
• 7.4.b: 850 nm 50/125µm laser optimized OM4 fiber to be utilized on campus for multimode fiber applications. 62.5/125µm is no longer installed on campus.
• 8.1: A minimum of 2 outlets per work area (faceplate). Exceptions are as follows:
  • Office desks shall have a minimum of 3 outlets to provide phone services.
  • Dorm bedroom facilities shall have 1 outlet per pillow and 1 voice port per room.
  • Wireless access points operating on 802.11 a/b/g/n shall have 1 outlet per access point. Wireless access points operating on 802.11ac may require 2 outlets per access point.
  • Locations with VoIP phones should consider a minimum of 3 outlets per work area where line rate data transfers are required. Use of the internal bridge built into VoIP phones have proved insufficient to meet campus user requirements.
  • Locations with traditional phone service (POTS) require a minimum of 3 outlets per work area.
  • Wall phones shall use a single outlet.
• 8.1: All ports are live, Stint does not install inactive ports for later activation (the exception is Broad Lab)
• 8.1: UTP cabling shall be plenum rated.
• 8.1: Fiber to the desktop is not currently supported at Caltech.
• 8.3: The maximum horizontal cable length shall be 85 m (279 ft), independent of media type. Splices are not permitted.
• 8.4: Recognized Cabling:
  • Supported unshielded twisted pair on campus include Category 6a and Category 7.
  • 850 nm 50/125µm laser optimized OM4 fiber to be utilized on campus for multimode fiber applications. 62.5/125µm is no longer installed on campus. Strand count of 2 or higher. Fiber to the desktop is not utilized on campus at this time.
  • Single mode optical fiber shall utilize a strand count of 2 or higher. Fiber to the desktop is not utilized on campus at this time.
  • A TR to TR fiber connection shall contain a minimum of 24 strands.
• 9.1: Caltech has standardized on the Panduit Mini-Comm Executive outlet system. Exceptions to this are for specialized application only and must be approved prior to inclusion to construction documents.
• 9.2b: Y adapters shall not be used for Ethernet services.
• 9.3: Open office cabling systems are not utilized on campus at this time.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.1-1-May 2012

• 4.2.2.1.1: Size of TR is dependent on project and the supported spaces. There is no maximum size and no minimum size. Rooms must be designed to accommodate electronics to be installed and provide the space required to service that equipment without removal from the racks.
• 4.2.2.1.2: There shall be a minimum of 1 TR per floor. In buildings where 1 TR cannot serve all areas of the floor, additional TRs per floor are required.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.2-April 2010

• 5.5.1: Cord cables shall be plenum rated for all applications.
• 5.6: Multipair backbone cables shall be 22 AWG, plenum rated.
• 5.7.1: T568B shall be utilized for all UTP terminations.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.3-October 2011

• 4.3.2 Indoor-outdoor cable shall be plenum rated.
• 4.3.3: Outside plant cable shall be armored and plenum rated.
• 5.3: Optical fiber splices, fusion or mechanical, shall not exceed a maximum optical insertion loss of
  0.1 dB. Values greater than 0.1dB will require rework.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.3-1-December 2011

• No alterations or amendments.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.4-July 2011

• Coaxial cable is not currently used by IMSS VND at Caltech.
• Coaxial cable shall not run through nor terminate in TRs.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-C-May 2012

• Room specific comments are to apply to all TRs regardless of service area.
• 5.1: Telecommunications diversity shall be provided to all buildings.
• 6.2: Temperature range: 15 – 25 ºC (60 – 78 ºF) dry bulb. Temperature ranges as set by electronics manufacturers for maximum equipment life are to be followed.
• 6.3.2: All TRs shall be secured by campus card access or IMSS VDN CITNet key. Split or shared lock cores will not be used to secure these locations.
• 6.3.4: Door is to open to public hallway. Access to wiring closets through occupied offices, lab space or other shared use is unacceptable.
• 6.3.6.1.1 Plywood backboards shall be only large enough to support the required services. At no time shall plywood be installed in such a manner to cover a wall of the TR. Plywood shall only be used to support Campus Card Swipe Access and for locations requiring conventional phone service (POTS).
• 6.3.6.1.2: Ceilings shall be bare concrete. Drop ceilings or suspended ceilings shall not be installed in TRs.
• 6.3.6.1.3: Treatments
  • Floors shall be sealed bare concrete or vinyl composite tile and anti-static in nature.
  • Walls shall be painted, light in color.
  • Ceiling shall be painted.
• 6.3.6.1.4: Floor loading shall include calculations for a "room UPS".
• 6.3.6.1.5: Lighting shall be installed to provide adequate lighting in front of the rack and behind the rack.
• 6.3.6.1.5: Lighting shall not be occupancy sensor controlled.
• 6.3.6.1.6: Door must be provided with seals along all edges, including a door sweep.
• 6.3.6.1.8: The telecommunications space shall not have exterior windows.
• 6.3.6.1.9: All equipment and construction shall comply with Seismic Zone 4 building requirements.
• 6.3.6.3: Reiterate - Mechanical fixtures not related to the support of the entrance facility should not be installed in, pass through, or enter the telecommunications entrance facility.
• 6.3.8: TRs shall be located inside the footprint of the building's upper floors to prevent water infiltration. TRs should be centrally located on a floor to reduce cabling costs and stacked above and below other TRs to reduce conduit installation costs.
• 6.3.9.3: Clearances in front of and behind equipment shall be 4'. Refer to Autocad BIM provided to show equipment clearances required for equipment currently deployed at Caltech.
• 6.3.9.11: The vertical cable managers shall be not less than 152 mm (6.00 in) in width.
• 6.3.10 Equipment delivery shall be done by wheeled conveyance. Stairs or curbs shall not be traversed during the delivery of equipment.
• 6.4 Distributor Room shall poses the same properties as a Telecommunications Room
• 6.4.1: See 6.3.6.3, 6.3.8, & 6.3.9
• 6.4.3: Pathways:
  • All conduits shall be direct from service area to service area (no junction boxes serving as splice boxes).
  • Service Entry conduits shall be no smaller than metric designator 103 (trade size 4).
  • There shall be a minimum of 3 Service Entry conduits from each Diversity Path.
  • Conduits between TRs shall be no smaller than metric designator 103 (trade size 4).
  • There shall be a minimum of 3 conduits between TRs, connecting one TR directly to another TR.
  • TRs are not to be used as pull-throughs.
  • Cable or Basket Tray may be used for cabling to equipment outlets.
  • All pathways shall be fire protected per NEC/NFPA.
• 6.4.4.2.1.1: HVAC must provide cooling and positive room air pressure, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• 6.4.5: Small rooms shall not contain active electronics and are not used at Caltech.
• 6.6: Distributor enclosure are not used at Caltech.
• 6.7.2: A minimum of one work outlet (faceplate) per wall in office and one work outlet per chair/desk. Greater density is required to meet end user requirements.
• 6.7.5: Outlet box shall be of a size to support Cat 6A cable bend radius requirements. Conduit of 0.75" shall be used for work outlets containing 2 cables. Conduit of 1.50" shall be used for work outlets containing 6 or fewer cables.
• 6.7.10: Other connecting hardware, including cubicle walls and pathways, shall provide the required depth to support Cat 6A bend radius requirements.
• 8: Multi-Tenant spaces are not addressed at Caltech.
• 9.2: Access floor systems should be avoided at Caltech.
• 9.2: Under floor duct systems should be avoided at Caltech.
• 9.2: Cellular floors are not typically employed at Caltech.
• 9.3.2: Telecommunications cabling must be separated from fluorescent lamps, ballasts, power supplies and transformers by a minimum of 127mm (5 in).
• 9.4.1: Conduits shall be run through inaccessible ceiling spaces that must be traversed with both ends of the conduit terminating in accessible areas if an alternate pathway is not available. Spare conduits must be installed to support Moves, Adds and Changes.
• 9.6.1.1: Cable trays shall not be filled beyond a 40% fill ratio.
• 9.8.2.6: Conduits protruding through the floor in the distributor room shall be terminated 152-304 mm (6-12 in) above the floor surface with protection from threads and sharp edges.
• 9.8.2.6: Conduits protruding through the ceiling in the distributor room shall be terminated 152-304 mm (6-12 in) below the ceiling surface with protection from threads and sharp edges.
• 9.8.2.9: Cables running through conduits to areas containing moisture should be Outside Plant Cable and must be potted up to 13 mm (0.5 in) from the end of the conduit with removable potting compound.
• 9.9.7: Furniture pathway channels shall be deep enough to accommodate the minimum bend radius of the cables installed.
• 9.11.2.1.1: Perimeter pathway channels shall be deep enough to accommodate the minimum bend radius of the cables installed.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-606-B-June 2012

• Caltech utilized a Class 4 labeling system.
• Consult IMSS VDN Labeling Guide for labeling formats and usages.
• 4.4: Labeling formats
  • Copper cabling is in the format: BBB-TR-PP-Port
  • Fiber is labeled by endpoint.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-607-B-August 2013

• No alterations or amendments.

ANSI/TIA/EIA-758-B-March 2012

• 6.3.4.1.1.2: Mechanical splicing shall not be employed at Caltech.

Caltech Standards

• Faceplates are the same color as electric outlets within a space; typically buff or white, but could vary; jacks are the same color for site installation (gray typically, white allowable); Panduit Mini-Comm Executive series.
• There is no color differentiation between telephone and data jacks.
• Entry and riser fiber shall be armored, plenum rated, Corning Freedom. We generally specify a mix (bundle) of both singlemode and multi-mode (50/125µm OM4); singlemode shall be laser optimized; VDN will specify the exact strand count and mix for each fiber run.
• Fiber cans are always installed at the top of a rack; copper terminations are below the fiber can(s).
• Fiber insert panels utilized in high density MDFs and Campus Primary Wiring Centers shall support 24 strands of fiber, using LC connectors, unless otherwise stated by the project.
• Fiber insert panels utilized in low density MDFs and IDFs shall support 12 strands of fiber, using LC connectors, unless otherwise stated by the project.
• Innerduct should be used to protect fiber. Innerduct shall not be installed in conduits.
• All copper cabling is PanGen Augmented Cat 6 (Cat 6A).
• All copper cabling is yellow; there is no differentiation between telephone and data.
• Patch cords used in the closets are color coded by function. The colors are:
  • Data (copper): yellow
  • Voice (copper): white
  • Data (singlemode fiber): yellow
  • Data (bend insensitive singlemode fiber): yellow
  • Data (bend insensitive singlemode fiber): dark blue
  • Data (multi-mode fiber - 62.5/125µm): orange
  • Data (multi-mode laser optimized fiber - 50/125µm OM3/OM4): teal/aqua
  • Data (copper, crossover): red
  • Data (copper, serial - not network): green
• TBD: Caltech labeling standard
• Copper cables are terminated in the T568B configuration (same as AT&T 258A)
• All cable must be plenum rated cable only; even where not required (data only; phone riser and backbone still uses non-plenum)
• Two post racks (19" telecom, relay): Chatsworth (model TBD, specified per project)
• Four post racks: Chatsworth Adjustable QuadraRack, 19" wide, depth specified per project.
• 4 inch vertical ducts between closets
• Electrical requirements are quite dependent upon the type of facility and what equipment will be necessary. Specific requirements need to be developed for each building. However as a general rule, for an MDF, at least 3 dedicated circuits of 30A, 208V, and 4 dedicated circuits of 20A, 120V are necessary for data services alone. Non-data services, such as Card Swipe Access or Video Surveillance, shall utilize their own dedicated circuits. As a general rule, IDFs will require somewhat less.
• Entrances to TRs must be from public spaces, building corridors, exterior, etc. It is not permissible to enter through a lab, clean room, class room, rest room, janitor closet, or other private space. This is necessary for:
  • fire safety
  • ability to access equipment at all hours without disturbing occupants, suiting up (e.g., clean room), or maintaining or accessing another key
  • ability to move large equipment with hand trucks and other tools.
• TRs must be within the footprint of the of the floor above, preferably centrally located on the floor. Efforts to stack TRs above one another from floor to floor is strongly encouraged.
• TRs to be located in areas accessible by hand truck or other wheeled conveyance.
• As a rule of thumb, TRs are not to be located on the roof of a building or external to the structure supported.
• TRs shall not be external to the building or accessed from outside of the building (e.g., neighboring building, steam tunnels, storage shed).
• Non-telecommunications utilities or services shall not enter or transit TRs.
• Non-telecommunications utilities or services that support TRs shall be located outside of the TRs.
• The Caltech wireless network supports b/g/n/ac variants at this time.
• Wireless networking is not a replacement for a wired network, wireless networking is a complimentary service. Consult with IMSS VDN for wireless design and deployment guidelines as they are not in written form yet as every installation requires a site survey and site specific engineering.
• Wireless spectrum in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ranges are reserved for use for Campus Wireless Networking for end user devices and no other services (e.g. BMS controls, lighting controls, HVAC controls...).

Information for Project Managers

Construction projects must assume all costs associated with deploying network service, including cabling, new equipment, and modifications to the backbone and other facilities not in the new construction.

When performing renovations to existing buildings, the trend is to collapse small, older TRs into a single modern MDF/IDF per floor. This may make some space available, but may also require installation of new cable. Project Managers must also consider how to provide continuous service to other building occupants during the renovation.

For design and construction, no distinction is made between voice and data applications. The cabling and support requirements are all the same. There will be some costs differences, though, as ports are allocated to the different applications. Projects are required to purchase any new telephone instruments needed as well as PBX circuit packs needed to support them.

Only suitably qualified and approved contractors, including the Caltech Electric Shop, are permitted to install, modify, or maintain voice and data cabling and support infrastructure. Unqualified personnel will not be permitted access to any CITNet facilities. Please consult with VDN ahead of time to obtain the current approved contractor list.

Wireless networks are deployed in all new construction, in addition to (not in place of) wired networks. Wireless is no substitute for wired. Issues are: security, performance, interference, fairness. With the adoption of 802.11ac, there are site specific issues which will determine AP placement, AP deployment density and additional cabling/network electronics requirements.

VDN is not responsible for providing voice or data facilities for construction contractors, trailers, etc., during on-campus projects. The project must pay for any facilities or services it uses and acquire these from outside vendors.

VDN does not provide voice or data services to buildings under construction. We provide connectivity and support when all of the following conditions are met:

• the building has been turned over to Caltech to operate
• the as-built drawings and other test results, as required by our standards, have been provided to VDN
• permanent doors and CITNet-approved locks have been installed in all TRs
• the cable plant, TRs, etc., have been inspected and accepted by VDN as meeting our standards
• building power and HVAC are operating nominally

VDN does provide:

• standards for cabling and facilities; we can provide a customized 27 0000 document for your project, with sufficient advance notice
• approval of workmanship
• approval of submittals
• consulting (on an as available basis)
• budget estimates (given sufficient requirements definition)
• list of qualified, acceptable cabling installers
• accept/reject cabling work
• network electronics installation
• building support (once live)

VDN does not provide:

• project design for new construction
• day to day supervision of cabling or other contractors
• project management
• budget management
• schedule management

For other IMSS VDN policies, please see our network policy page.

Frequently Asked Questions

• May I have a key to the network closet?
  A: No; there are no "user serviceable" parts inside. Longer answer: Caltech shop employees may check out a day use key for the purpose of repairing non-network facilities that happen to be in CITNet spaces; a record of key issuance will be made. Caltech Electric Shop and VDN employees are the only personnel who may have permanent keys. The IMSS VDN Key Policy is available online.
• May I install a cable?
  A: No; IMSS VDN maintains a list of approved vendors (including the Caltech Electric Shop) who are allowed to perform work on the cabling. This maintains the 25-year warranty we have, insures a quality installation, and allows us to maintain current configuration information. The list of approved vendors changes from time to time as vendors are added or removed; please contact VDN for the current list.
• May cables be installed in a faceplate (user end) that terminate in different patch panels (TR end)?
  A: No. All cables in a single faceplate must terminate in the same patch panel.
• If delivery time for an item is long, may I substitute a similar item?
  A: Not without prior written approval from IMSS VDN. Note that VDN will not allow substitution if it will void the Panduit or Corning warranty in any way.
• How much noise does the installed equipment generate?
  A: This is a difficult question to answer objectively. It depends on the location, type of construction, and type of equipment placed in the closet, among other factors. In the smaller closets, the workgroup switches (actually their fans) are the predominant noise generators. (Remember, a fan that doesn't make noise moves no air!) While these aren't loud, they probably aren't suitable for collocation with office workers either. It's best to observe an installation and judge for yourself. Equipment in the larger closets and MDFs can generate considerable noise.
• Why require termination and testing of all strands in a bundle of fiber optic cable?
  A: If the strands are not both terminated and tested, how do you know they are viable? Fiber optic cable, despite the precautions of the manufacturers and installers, is still a fragile cable. Unless all the fiber stands are tested, which requires the fiber be terminated on both ends, the viability of the cable is unknown. Flaws in manufacturing, accidents during transportation, mistakes during installation (including tight bends, too much pulling force, etc.) will only be discovered during testing. The system suppliers (Panduit, Systemax, etc.) require termination and documented testing in order to provide a system warranty (usually 20 years, or so). Therefore, there is no value to installing a fiber optic cable without terminating and testing all the strands.

Version 20140926-1100