The TIA/EIA structured cabling standards define how to design, build, and manage a voice and data cabling system that is structured, meaning that the system is designed in blocks that have very specific performance characteristics. The blocks are integrated in a hierarchical manner to create a unified communication system. For example, workgroup LANs represent a block with lower-performance requirements than the backbone network block, which requires high-performance fiber-optic cable in most cases. The standard defines the use of fiber-optic cable (single and multimode), STP (shielded twisted pair) cable, and UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cable.
A properly designed and installed structured cabling system provides you with a cabling infrastructure that delivers predictable performance as well as flexibility to accommodate growth and change over an extended period of time. Your initial investment in a ‘standards’ based structured cabling system will return many benefits including an extended operational lifespan, predictable performance, manageability and growth. These benefits bring increased efficiency, improved productivity and reduced costs to you and your business.