UNC Network Infrastructure Assessment Study

Minimum Specifications – Baseline UNC campus network

March 1, 2000

The Project Advisory Council (PAC) and the Net Study Team (NST) approved three changes to the baseline at their joint meeting on March 1, 2000. The changes are options for “above current baseline” and will not impact the cost of the current baseline project. The language of the three changes below is incorporated throughout this document.

• Change the baseline for Switches from “Switched 10Mb” to “Switched 10Mb or Switched 10/100Mb” - Technology has changed from the time the baseline was established 24 months ago and vendors are starting to phase out Switched 10Mb devices.  The change from Switched 10Mb to either Switched 10Mb or Switched 10/100Mb means that the current wiring, NIC (Network interface cards) and other items can remain the same.

 

This allows a migration to a full Switched 100Mb environment in the future providing continued cost savings as technology advances and the needs of the campus continue to evolve.

• Change the baseline wiring specification from “Category 5” to “Category 5 or Category 5 Enhanced channel including installation and testing” - Although these two specifications are merging and the differences between the two specifications will disappear, allowing both options is important in keeping with the philosophy of the baseline.  The main difference between these two specifications is in the testing methodology.  This change will not have any impact on the costs of the wire, only in the labor to install it. At the time of this writing the difference in installation between Cat 5 and Cat5E is less than 5% and decreasing.

• Change the baseline specification for backbone electronics from “Switched 100Mb” to “Switched 100Mb and/or Switched Gigabit” - The cost for Switched Gigabit technology in most cases is still higher than Switched 100Mb.  However, in some cases it is less expensive to purchase Switched Gigabit technology than Switched 100Mb as vendors are starting to move away from the slower Switched 100Mb technology.  The additional bandwidth may be needed to support the UNC Phase II applications and the potential changes in the speed to the desktop.  At the current time the worst case scenario is about a 20% increased cost for a few pieces of electronics on campus, which will not effect the overall cost of the baseline project.

 

Both multi-mode and single mode fiber were specified in the design of the Outside Cable Plant in the original Baseline specifications to provide for high speed network technologies, such as Gigabit Ethernet. Therefore, adding the option of Gigabit Ethernet to the Baseline specification should not require a change in the Outside Cable Plant at this time.  (Note:  This assumes that the OCP meets the current Baseline Specifications.)

The backbone electronics in total represented less than 10% of the total Baseline funding (across all campuses).  By the time this is implemented and new funds allocated the prices will have continued to drop and should be in line with funding allocated for baseline backbone electronics.

This document is a set of minimum specifications for a UNC campus network to meet University goals of providing network accessibility for all faculty and administrative offices, class rooms, labs, residence halls, libraries, and other relevant spaces.

It was developed by UNC network specialists in conjunction with our network consultants during a recent meeting. This document should be viewed as providing a baseline that is open to discussion and modification. Any questions about this document should be directed to the project management staff at UNC General Administration. Please do not direct inquiries about the specifications to the UNC Network Team members at your campus.

Please share this document with members of your staff as you assess your campus network. You may direct comments or suggestions to Jon DeFriese (defriese@ga.unc.edu), Carl Malstrom (carl_malstrom@ncsu.edu), or David Heiman (dheiman@bcsinc.com) anytime during the study. [At the current time, comments or suggestions should go to Steve Painter (painter@ga.unc.edu) or Phil Emer (phil@ncsu.edu).]

The standards are listed from an overall campus perspective down to the number of connections in a room. This will be the methodology followed to gather data at the campuses. These standards are technical in nature and described from a high level perspective. They are not intended to replace campus-specific master plans or engineering diagrams, but may guide their development in the future.
 
  1. Definitions:

• Cat 5 or Cat 5E - One of a series of definitions provided by EIA/TIA standards that determines the type, distance, and functional specifications of copper cable.
• EIA/TIA - Is the Electronic and Telecommunications Industry Associations which have been certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
• Ethernet - A networking standard that allows multiple devices to communicate.
• HVAC - Heating / Ventilation / Air Conditioning
• NCD - Network Connected Device, any device which is connected to the ethernet.
• NEC - The National Electric Code.
• POS - Point Of Sale device, such as cash registers.
• Topologies - Network topology, for the purpose of this study, covers layout of the network, types of hardware and hardware systems integration. Topology does not cover specification of specific equipment vendors or network protocols.
• UPS - Uninteruptable Power Supply which provides battery backup.

Security and Modularity
 

It is assumed and suggested that all Intermediate / Individual Distribution Frames (IDFs) and Building Distribution Frames (BDFs) be in locked spaces. Access to network distribution frames is restricted to authorized personnel only. Systems will be modular for the purpose of easily upgrading network hardware to meet the needs of emerging technologies.
 
 

The campus backbone minimum specification refers only to the speed at which all buildings on a campus must connect to each other. (For backbone network physical specs see Main Distribution Frame.)

Campus backbone network connections will be at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) switched (minimum)

MDF refers to a junction point where fiber is distributed to multiple buildings on the campus network.

Building Distribution Frame (BDF) minimums apply

Should be co-located with BDF for a building (where possible)

Must have uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

Should have access to alternate power

Should have access to alternate paths to the campus network

Should have exterior secured access when possible

Minimum of two analog telephone lines

Should be able to support the installation of equipment racks

Outside Cable Plant (OCP) termination

All fiber must be terminated

Power / Lightning / Ground / HVAC – NEC specifications (see out of scope issues)

Number of MDF’s to be determined on campus by campus basis (baseline will be 1 per 12 BDF’s)

OCP for the purpose of this study, refers only to data network fiber optic cable between buildings or MDFs.

Separate conduit / sub-duct / quad-duct for each media or technology

Follows EIA/TIA 568/569 standards (when possible) and building codes (see out of scope issues)

Dual Mode Fiber cables between buildings (BDF’s / MDF’s)

Minimum of 12 single mode / 12 multi-mode between BDF and MDF or between BDF and BDF

Minimum of 24 single mode / 24 multi-mode between MDF and MDF

Any existing copper must be terminated with lightning protection and grounding

No underground splices (Central Equipment Vaults are considered rooms and excluded)

BDF refers to the transition point between outside cable plant fiber and in building riser connections.

One per building

Intermediate / Individual Distribution Frames (IDF) minimums apply

Co-located with IDF for that floor or area (where possible)

Minimum of one analog telephone line

100 Mb and Gigabit switched Ethernet devices supporting other MDF, BDF, or IDFs should be on a UPS (Switch/Chassis/etc.)

It is highly recommended that all equipment be from the same manufacturer/provider per building or campus

A high degree of consistency in network products is desirable

Network equipment should be rack mountable

Outside Cable Plant (OCP) termination

All Fiber must be terminated

Power / Lightning / Ground / HVAC – NEC specifications (see out of scope issues)

IDF refers to the transition point between in building riser connections and the horizontal wiring going to individual rooms or workspaces.

Must meet EIA/TIA 568/569 standards

Should have secure access

Power / Lightning / Ground / HVAC – NEC specifications (see out of scope issues)

Cat 5 or Cat 5E compliant patch panels

Manageable switched 10Mb or switched 10/100Mb Ethernet to face plate with switched 100 Mb or Gigabit Ethernet uplink

Minimum one analog telephone line

Minimum of 6 single mode / 12 Multi-mode strands fiber (3 pr / 6 pr) to each IDF from BDF (or better)

Minimum of 6 Cat 5 or Cat 5 Enhanced channels including installation and testing to each IDF from BDF (or better)

Minimum of two 4" cores / conduit / raceway for data network (separate Fiber and Copper)

Cores / penetrations must be fire stopped

Number of IDF’s to be determined on building by building bases (baseline will be one per floor)

Horizontal cable refers to the cabling between the IDF and the office/classroom/lab wall jacks.

Cat 5 or Cat 5E, RJ-45 at Jack (wall plate)

The face plates will have minimum of four ports

3 Cat 5 or Cat 5 Enhanced channels including installation and testing per face plate (with one active switched ethernet port) One of these cables will provide voice service, when needed. A fourth cable should be added for areas where high data connectivity needs are anticipated.

All bend ratios are fiber based

All horizontal conduit will accept mix of fiber, Cat 5, Cat 5E, Coax (minimum ¾")

A minimum of 6 strands (3 pr) of Multi-mode fiber, where applicable

No copper cable should exceed 90 meters from the IDF

All cabling should follow EIA/TIA 568-569 standards

Geographies are defined as the specific types of space found within campus buildings.

Every room should have a minimum of 1 drop (3 cables) with 1 active switched ethernet port.

Workspaces - minimum of 1 drop per:

Executive Offices

Staff Offices

Cubicles

Faculty Offices

Conference rooms

Labs - minimum of 1 cable per workspace (or NCD)

Computer Lab

Research Labs (1 per NCD only)

Engineering, Science, Chemistry, Architecture, Medical, etc.

Libraries - minimum of 1 cable per workspace (or NCD)

Carrels, Cubicles, Workstations, Clusters

Other - minimum of 1 drop per room (3 cables, or more if needed to service POS devices)

All Retail

Bookstore, etc.

Cafeteria’s

Infirmaries

Sound rooms and stages

Ticketing

Athletic and Theater

Unassigned space – minimum of 1 drop, or more if required (based on function)

Steam Plant

Pump house

Guard house

Common Areas - recognizing the need for network access throughout a campus. Common area requirements will be determined by a student headcount formula.

Dorms - minimum of 1 cable per pillow

Auditoriums - minimum of 2 drops (6 cables)

Lecture Hall - minimum of 2 drops (6 cables)

Classrooms - minimum of 1 drop per classroom (3 cables)

Out of Scope – these items are considered beyond the scope of this project

Electrical

Ground

Lightning Protection

Surge Suppression

Power Load

Power Conditioning

Outlets

Voice

Security

911 and E-911

HVAC

Building and Energy management

Backup

UPS Systems

Inter-Campus Network

Enterprise wide applications

ADA Issues

MAC’s (Moves, Adds and Changes)

Video / Coax / Satellite / CCTV

Hospitals and private practice offices