Structured Cabling
Structured cabling design and installation is governed by a set of standards that specify wiring data centers, offices, and manufacturing for data or voice communications using various kinds of cable, most commonly category 5 (CAT-5e), category 6 (CAT-6), and fiber optic cabling and modular connectors. These standards define how to lay the cabling in various topography in order to meet the needs of the customer, typically using a central patch panel (which is normally 19" rack mounted), from where each modular connection can be used as needed. Each outlet is then patched into a network switch (normally also rack-mounted) for network use or into an IP or PBX (private branch exchange) telephone system patch panel.
