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Anixter recently launched its new infrastructure assurance program for data centers called Anixter ipAssured. Held at the recent AFCOM Data Center World conference in Las Vegas, the launch featured a presentation by Andy Jimenez, Anixter’s Vice President of Technology for Enterprise Cabling Solutions, that focused on the best practices and infrastructure solutions to create a data center that is as cost and energy efficient as possible.

Anixter ipAssured is an infrastructure assurance program that includes the physical infrastructure products and best practices needed to support current and future data center applications. The program considers maximizing the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of a data center through its network cabling, power and cooling solutions, racks and cabinets, security, and management and monitoring products.

Designed to improve the efficiency of an existing data center, make major upgrades and improvements to current facilities, or build a new state-of-the-art facility, Anixter ipAssured for data centers makes choosing the right infrastructure simple. The ipAssured product offerings are organized into the following physical infrastructure categories:

• Copper and optical network cabling needed for the high bandwidth demands of the modern data center

• Racks, cabinets and accessory solutions for managing the network cabling

• High-efficiency power and cooling solutions that are optimized for low-, medium- and high-density data center footprints

• Management and monitoring solutions that can integrate into the data center network and provide real-time updates of the cabling, power, and cooling infrastructure systems

• Physical security solutions, which include video surveillance and access control that greatly enhance the audit trail capabilities of the data center

Anixter ipAssured for data centers is divided into three possible scenarios. These classes provide users with readily identifiable categories of products and best practices for creating a robust infrastructure that will maximize the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of your data center.

• IP-ClassSM 1+ Refined is for existing data centers with limited expansion plans and low computing density

• IP-ClassSM 5+ Enhanced is for existing facilities with expansion plans and efficiency upgrades through retrofit or new infrastructure builds

• IP-ClassSM 10+ Advanced is for Greenfield or retrofit data centers that use state-of-the-art network and infrastructure designs.

In a challenging economic environment, the organizational dynamics within IT environments are changing quickly. Managers of data centers and facilities voice uptime, monitoring and management, heat density and energy efficiency as their top network and facility concerns (see graphic at right). According to a recent Gartner report, issues such as availability, uptime, heat densities, energy efficiency, and space constraints related to real estate costs are of major concern to data center planners. To meet these needs, capital purchases and equipment upgrades are needed on an ongoing basis, but IT budgets are going to be much more closely scrutinized. By deploying a physical infrastructure that can match application needs for well into the future, IT personnel can reduce long-term operational expenses to offset costs associated with major equipment upgrades.

From an infrastructure point of view, the design philosophies that have been traditionally applied for data centers built just five years ago need to be adapted to accommodate network architectures that support virtualized environments, higher data rates at the data center core and edge, increased power densities and lower carbon footprints. By using ipAssured, data centers can adopt a physical infrastructure design to address these challenges.

Learn more about Anixter ipAssured for data centers by requesting to speak with an Anixter representative.

Read how Anixter ipAssured for data centers helped Anixter create a path for improved efficiency in its data center on page 2.

Reducing Energy, Providing Reliability in the Data Center with Anixter ipAssured

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Issue 7

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As Anixter’s systems engineers watched the 3D model build on the computer screen, the problems in the data center were obvious. By following the airflow patterns exiting the server cabinets, they were able to see that the exhaust air had to travel a long distance to get back to the intake perimeter of the computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units. This long return route caused the exhaust air to mix with the raised floor air supply, which reduced the cooling capacity of the room and overall energy efficiency of the data center. There was no questioning the impact improper airflow was having on the efficiency and budget of the data center.

“The data center was built in 2003, which was before many of the best practices and standards that we have today were developed,” said Andy Jimenez, Anixter’s Vice President of Technology for Enterprise Cabling Systems. “The data center design was not efficient from a power and cooling distribution perspective. It was using a large amount of energy to cool the equipment, which added to the overall cost of the facility as well as to its carbon footprint.”

Anixter conducted the evaluation by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. A common rule in fluid dynamics is something called Bernoulli’s principle. When this rule is applied to the underfloor air distribution system of a data center, it states that the static pressure of the raised floor will increase as the velocity of the airflow decreases. By using the 3D CFD modeling, Anixter was able to analyze the airflow and thermal characteristics of the data center. The model showed areas of high-velocity air discharge shown by the blue color gradient that correspond to areas of low static pressure.

At the same time, Anixter’s Infrastructure Solutions Lab was developing a new infrastructure assurance program for data centers called ipAssured. Anixter ipAssured is an infrastructure assurance program that includes the physical infrastructure products and best practices needed to support current and future data center applications. The program considers maximizing the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of a data center through its network cabling, power and cooling solutions, racks and cabinets, security, and management and monitoring applications. In this case, the program looked at ways to improve the energy and cooling efficiency of the facility.

“We decided to put the Anixter ipAssured value proposition to task by conducting an evaluation of our own corporate data center,” Jimenez said. “The CFD model showed a data center that was inefficient with the management of the exhaust air from the server cabinets and racks back to the perimeter CRACs.”

By analyzing the results of the CFD modeling and identifying areas of inefficiency, Anixter’s Systems Engineers found that using the best practice recommendations and solutions from ipAssured would help to reduce the overall energy consumption by 12 percent. Improvements such as using a hot and cold aisle layout, blanking panels, and proper cable management allowed for better management of the exhaust air within the data center, which improved its cooling capacity. The improvements were significant enough where one of the three perimeter CRAC units could also be shut down.

Learn more about Anixter ipAssured for Data Centers by requesting a brochure.

Anixter ipAssured Helps Anixter Improve Data Center Cooling Efficiency

Products. Technology. Services. Delivered Globally.

Summary

CustomerMidsized healthcare provider

Business NeedNew 5,000-square-foot data center

SolutionValue engineering capabilities

Results• Met project schedule with streamlined deployment of preterminated cables• Saved time and reduced costs through bundled, installation-ready cables• Reduced project costs through value engineering

Customer ChallengeFormed in 1995, a large not-for-profit, community-based health system provides comprehensive medical care for a regional population of 820,000 people. With nearly 7,000 employees and eight hospitals, the health system is the region’s largest employer with a vast network of primary care and specialty physicians.

To achieve this mission, the health system began construction on an over $500 million regional medical center on one of its hospital’s campuses. When completed, the nine-story facility will include a 430-bed hospital and multiple specialty centers including heart, cancer and neurology. At the center of the expansion is a data center that ties together all of the communications and data networks. Because of its commitment to a technologically advanced medical center, many of the facilities rely on advanced networks to coordinate and carry out medical operations.

The health provider hired a network integrator to help convert an existing 5,000-square-foot warehouse into the new facility’s data center. The health provider tasked the integrator with the design and installation of the data center infrastructure, including the cabinets, racks and high-bandwidth cabling. Due to significant constraints on capital funding, the network integrator needed to tightly manage costs throughout the duration of the project while still meeting the original project specifications and operational goals. With design specifications for 27 racks, 40 cabinets, 2,000 drops, 11,000 feet of copper cabling and 4,500 feet of fiber cabling, the network integrator needed a material management solution that provided the right products and technologies to meet specification while helping to rein in deployment costs.

Anixter’s recommendation

for the network integrator

to opt for bundled

preterminated cables that

were installation-ready

saved time and money and

was instrumental in the

project being completed

within the four-month

deployment schedule.

CASE STUDY Healthcare Provider Improves Performance with New Data Center

Technology Deployment Experience and Expertise

Anixter’s expert systems engineers receive ongoing, extensive training about new products, technologies, applications and market trends. In addition, our systems engineers participate in local standards and industry committees and associations, which keeps them current on the latest standards being introduced into the market. By coupling this knowledge with an extensive product offering, Anixter can help you select the right product for your data center deployment:

• Racks, cabinets and shelving• Cable management• Twisted-pair copper and fiber optic cabling• Intelligent infrastructure solutions• UPS and power protection• Environmental monitoring

and management products• Power cabling and accessories• Power over Ethernet• Access control and video surveillance

Anixter SolutionAnixter worked with the integrator and healthcare provider to review the technologies and products needed for the modern facility. Because of the significant investment in the new data center facility, the health provider needed a solution that offered immediate benefits and long-term value. By using its system engineering capabilities, Anixter presented the two parties with possible options for products and technologies to use in the data center. Anixter then arranged for the health provider’s representatives to visit a selected manufacturer’s laboratory for a product presentation and review. Anixter coordinated a value engineering process with the manufacturer, which was essential to meeting the health provider’s budget. Value engineering is an analytical and evaluative process aimed at removing cost from a product while retaining its desired functionality and operating characteristics.

To help meet the four-month deployment schedule and help speed installation at the job site, Anixter recommended the network integrator use preterminated cable assemblies for the fiber and the Category 6 copper cables. The assemblies arrived at the job site with factory-terminated connectors at each end, which were labeled and tested before shipment. The copper and fiber assemblies, which were capable of quick installation into the basket tray and fiber runner, were snapped into the patch panels at both ends, which saved time during the installation. Anixter coordinated the delivery of the materials with the network integrator to minimize on-site staging space and reduce the chance of lost, stolen or damaged products.

Project ResultsThe project was completed on time and on budget, and equally important, it met the health provider’s precise specifications for performance. The value engineering process was essential in meeting the greatly reduced project budget. Anixter’s recommendation for the network integrator to opt for bundled preterminated cables that were installation-ready saved time and money and was instrumental in the project being completed within the four-month deployment schedule. The process and standards developed for this data center deployment were ultimately implemented in the health provider’s construction of two new hospitals.

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7/10 Aerospace Hardware • Electrical and Electronic Wire & Cable • Enterprise Cabling & Security Solutions • Fasteners

Anixter Inc. World Headquarters • 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026-8020 • 1.800.ANIXTER • 224.521.8000 • anixter.comAnixter is a leading global supplier of communications and security products, electrical and electronic wire and cable, fasteners and other small components. We help our customers specify solutions

and make informed purchasing decisions around technology, applications and relevant standards. Throughout the world, we provide innovative supply chain management services to reduce our customers’ total cost of production and implementation. A NYSE listed company, Anixter, with its subsidiaries, serves companies in more than 52 countries around the world. Anixter’s total revenue approximated $5 billion in 2009.

Anixter Inc. does not manufacture the items described in this publication. All applicable warranties are provided by the manufacturers. Purchasers are requested to determine directly from the manufacturers the applicable product warranties and limitations. Data and suggestions made in the publication are not to be construed as recommendations or authorizations to use any products in violation of any government law or regulation relating to any material or its use.

CASE STUDY Healthcare Provider Improves Performance with New Data Center

Products. Technology. Services. Delivered Globally.

Summary

CustomerNetwork Intergrator for a major North American convention center

ChallengeAdvanced logistics support and material management services for large convention center

SolutionREADY!SM Rack, READY!SM Cabinet, and eAnixter

Results• Created kits to speed customer orders

and audits• Created zone-specific kits to facilitate

prompt, accurate on-site delivery• Minimized packaging materials for

improved waste management• Convention center won the highest

LEED certification

Customer ChallengeExpansion of a major North American convention center included the construction of a new facility and renovation of the existing structure–a total of 1.1 million square feet. An integrator was awarded a contract to install a new high-speed local area network (LAN) in the 338,000-square-foot expansion of the main facility and in the existing 133,000-square-foot structure.

According to plan, construction would be completed in time for it to house a major convention in the summer of 2009. Following that opening date, the buildings would be closed for conversion into a media center. As an expert in the installation of complex data networks, the integrator needed a material management solution that simplified product procurement and provided enhanced delivery to the job site. The integrator turned to Anixter and its READY!SM Deployment Services to meet its needs for products, technology and supply chain expertise in phase one of the project.

Program ScopeThe 1.1 million-square-foot site was divided into construction zones with designated delivery points. The LAN included two server rooms and 41 communications rooms that required 5 miles of backbone fiber and more than 7,500 Category 6 cable drops. At its peak, more than 700 tradespeople worked to install more than 270,000 meters–167 miles–of Category 6 cable, fiber optic cable and other networking components. The center also was aiming for LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, which certifies successful green building design, construction and operations. Anixter needed to ensure that its practices met the sustainability guidelines set by the end-user.

Anixter SolutionAnixter worked with its manufacturer partners and integrator to create a comprehensive bill of materials for the project. The manufacturers shipped materials to Anixter, who created a dedicated inventory program to provide complete visibility of all materials via Web access. eAnixter allowed the integrator to have real-time access to specifications, pricing and inventory availability. By offering the ability place and track orders online, Anixter better integrated its material management process with the integrator to streamline the overall supply chain. Anixter warehoused the materials in a local distribution center, and by using customer provided schematics, Anixter preassembled 24 READY!SM Racks and 23 READY!SM Cabinets to speed upon-site installation and enhance the productivity of skilled electrical workers at the site.

With minimal site

storage available,

Anixter’s READY!

Deployment Services

were critical in getting

millions of dollars

worth of material to

the site when they

were needed.

CASE STUDY Integrator Uses READY! Deployment Services to Upgrade Convention Center

As part of Anixter’s READY! Deployment Services, READY! Rack and READY! Cabinet provide a fully customizable rack or cabinet solution with patch panels, vertical and horizontal cable managers, power bars and other components that produces significantly less waste and debris at the job site.

With space at the construction site extremely limited, Anixter’s READY! Deployment Services provided scheduled deliveries from the warehouse to designated gates and locations. To improve productivity on-site and reduce office paperwork, Anixter developed a flexible ordering system for subcontractors who needed parts immediately. Rather than request a purchase order and wait several days for it to be processed, Anixter created a credit card authorization system that allowed designated subcontractors with credit cards on file to order parts for delivery to the site within hours. The on-site construction management team had access to eAnixter, the online system that provides real-time access to inventories, order placement, tracking and other timely information. When an order was shipped from the warehouse to the construction site, the project manager was notified electronically of the time frame in which it would be delivered and the exact location of the delivery.

Due to the size, complexity and location of eight of the cabinets within the expansion, Anixter worked with the customer and a specialized cartage service to deliver the assembled cabinets to the site and then hoist them into position in the utility corridor, a tunnel in the center of the expansion facility underneath the exhibition hall floor. Because the site lacked storage space, delivery schedules were critical–and tight. Anixter cut 5 miles of fiber tube cable and an equivalent amount of Category 6 backbone copper cable in the lengths required and shipped the amount needed to the site to meet the customer’s daily or weekly installation requirements.

Anixter participated fully in the concerted effort to gain LEED certification for the facility by adhering to its recycling program for paper, metal and wood. All paper debris was removed from the site on a regular schedule, and where possible, Anixter removed packaging at its warehouse. Cardboard and paper were weighed and placed in recycling bins. Scrap metal was removed from the site by a metal recycling firm, and wood reels were reused or recycled. For all the materials, Anixter provided to the integrator documentation that validated recommended LEED processes were followed.

Project ResultsWith minimal site storage available, Anixter’s READY! Deployment Services were critical in getting millions of dollars worth of material to the site when needed. By using its READY! Rack and READY! Cabinet offerings to preassemble kits off site and ship directly to the exact LAN room in the facility, the technicians received a solution that could be dropped into place and installed quickly, which helped to save time, reduce downtime and drive efficiencies.

By using Anixter’s READY! Deployment Services, Anixter removed more than 1,000 pounds of cardboard, 79 pounds of plastic and 160 pounds of trash associated with the racks, cabinets and cabling from the site. The center won the highest LEED certification, Platinum, and earned the “Go Green” award from the International Building Owners and Managers Association.

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7/10 Aerospace Hardware • Electrical and Electronic Wire & Cable • Enterprise Cabling & Security Solutions • Fasteners

Anixter Inc. World Headquarters • 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026-8020 • 1.800.ANIXTER • 224.521.8000 • anixter.comAnixter is a leading global supplier of communications and security products, electrical and electronic wire and cable, fasteners and other small components. We help our customers specify solutions

and make informed purchasing decisions around technology, applications and relevant standards. Throughout the world, we provide innovative supply chain management services to reduce our customers’ total cost of production and implementation. A NYSE listed company, Anixter, with its subsidiaries, serves companies in more than 52 countries around the world. Anixter’s total revenue approximated $5 billion in 2009.

Anixter Inc. does not manufacture the items described in this publication. All applicable warranties are provided by the manufacturers. Purchasers are requested to determine directly from the manufacturers the applicable product warranties and limitations. Data and suggestions made in the publication are not to be construed as recommendations or authorizations to use any products in violation of any government law or regulation relating to any material or its use.

CASE STUDY Integrator Uses READY! Deployment Services to Upgrade Convention Center

READY!SM Deployment Services by Anixter map our distribution and Supply Chain Services to the construction or deployment process of any technology project. We combine sourcing, inventory management, kitting, labeling, packaging and deployment services to simplify and address the material management challenges at the job site(s). READY! Deployment Services by Anixter will help you improve the speed to deployment, lower your total cost of deployment and ensure your product specifications are delivered as planned.

This project called for:

READY!SM Cabinet includes a complete rack or cabinet with all of the components delivered as one part number.

READY! Rack includes a complete rack or cabinet with all of the components delivered as one part number.

C A B I N E T

R A C K

Products. Technology. Services. Delivered Globally.

Summary

CustomerSpecialty consumer electronics retailer

ChallengeMultisite deployment of video surveillance and video display networks

Solution• READY!SM Site, READY!SM Camera,

READY!SM Rack, READY!SM Kit• Product and technology assistance

Results• Timely product deliveries enabled new

stores to hit critical opening day deadlines.• Regional warehousing reduced shipping

costs and time to deliver kitted materials.• Supply chain solutions allowed retailer’s

management to focus on its core goals, strategies and local marketing initiatives.

Customer ChallengeFollowing its successful initial public offering, a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics launched an aggressive, multiphase growth strategy to more than double the number of company-owned stores in its target markets. In addition to the high-end consumer electronics populating the shelves, the stores include a dedicated video-wall display that features more than 100 models of flat-panel televisions. These displays are networked back to a central telecom closet where the video feeds can be controlled. The telecom closet also houses the headend equipment for the IP-based video surveillance network used to provide security for the stores. Each new store required the communications infrastructure to run the video wall displays and video surveillance system.

Because the retailer’s core competencies are focused in providing quality consumer electronics, it didn’t have the expertise to qualify, source and procure the needed components for the security and data networks. Its focus was on opening each new store on its preannounced date, which was central to the retailer’s marketing strategy. With dozens of store openings and a national network integrator tapped to install the data and security infrastructures, the retailer needed a solution that would meet its technological needs while at the same time providing installation ease and simplicity at the job site.

Program ScopeThe retailer planned to open as many as five stores per week, with a net addition of more than 100 stores over a 12-month period. Anixter provided the security products including the cameras, headend equipment and software as well as the wiring, outlets, digital video recorders and racks for the each store’s telephones, computers, camera systems and video wall displays.

Anixter SolutionThe retailer relied on Anixter’s technical expertise for help in understanding and selecting the latest network infrastructure and video surveillance technologies and products. Because the retailer was previously working with an analog surveillance system in its existing stores, Anixter suggested the retailer consider an IP-based solution, which provides remote monitoring, shared event recording, integration of analog and digital video sources, increased intelligence, and access and control from anywhere on the network. Anixter also suggested the retailer use a higher bandwidth cabling plant at its new locations in order to provide error-free video transmission to the video-display walls. Based on the specific requirements of individual stores, Anixter helped the retailer select the right technologies and products to build a bill of materials that met its security and performance needs.

By using its READY!

Deployment Services,

Anixter was able to

assign a single part

number to each READY!

solution, which helped

to reduce the number

of parts the integrator

needed to order for

each store from more

than 150 to three,

saving time and money.

CASE STUDY Regional Retailer Gets Stores Running with READY! Site

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Aerospace Hardware • Electrical and Electronic Wire & Cable • Enterprise Cabling & Security Solutions • FastenersAnixter Inc. World Headquarters • 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026-8020 • 1.800.ANIXTER • 224.521.8000 • anixter.com

Anixter is a leading global supplier of communications and security products, electrical and electronic wire and cable, fasteners and other small components. We help our customers specify solutions and make informed purchasing decisions around technology, applications and relevant standards. Throughout the world, we provide innovative supply chain management services to reduce our customers’ total cost

of production and implementation. A NYSE listed company, Anixter, with its subsidiaries, serves companies in more than 52 countries around the world. Anixter’s total revenue approximated $5 billion in 2009.

Anixter Inc. does not manufacture the items described in this publication. All applicable warranties are provided by the manufacturers. Purchasers are requested to determine directly from the manufacturers the applicable product warranties and limitations. Data and suggestions made in the publication are not to be construed as recommendations or authorizations to use any products in violation of any government law or regulation relating to any material or its use.

READY!SM Deployment Services by Anixter map our distribution and Supply Chain Services to the construction or deployment process of any technology project. We combine sourcing, inventory management, kitting, labeling, packaging and deployment services to simplify and address the material management challenges at the job site(s). READY! Deployment Services by Anixter will help you improve the speed to deployment, lower your total cost of deployment and ensure your product specifications are delivered as planned.

This project called for:

C A M E R A

R A C K

K I T

With the bill of materials finalized, Anixter worked to ensure a seamless deployment of materials to the multiple job sites. As a specialist in the integration of network components, the network integrator needed to focus on ensuring the network components were operating as promised, not worrying about lost deliveries or an insufficient or incorrect supply of parts to complete the project. Anixter used its READY!SM Site offering to ensure the right materials arrived on site, in the quantities needed and ready to be installed. As part of Anixter’s READY!SM Deployment Services, READY! Site is a whole order delivery of multiple closets, cable, workstations, and other materials needed to complete a retail site.

Anixter’s READY! Site solutions included a combination of Anixter’s READY!SM Camera, READY!SM Rack and READY!SM Kit offerings. Each of these READY! Deployment Service offerings provided a ready-to-install solution delivered to the installation location at the job site. For each store, the READY! Rack offering included a preassembled rack with the associated infrastructure needed to complete the telecom closet. When it arrived on site, the READY! Rack solution was able to be put into place and populated with the active electronics by the network integrator. The READY! Camera offering supplied the network integrator with a ready-to-install solution that included the security camera, Ethernet patch cords and associated equipment to its installation site on the network. The READY! Kit included 69 line items to complete the networking installation at each store. Because each READY! solution shipped as one part number, Anixter was able to help the customer dramatically reduce its paperwork and invoicing normally associated with ordering the various components.

Anixter staged the kitted solutions at its local distribution center and released them per the network integrator’s schedule. As the network integrator finished one store, a READY! Site solution was sent to the next site. Once the network integrator arrived, the right combination of READY! Rack, READY! Camera and READY! Kit solutions were waiting to be installed. Regardless if a store required two READY! Rack solutions or no READY! Camera solutions, the right amount of materials needed to complete the installation were already on site.

Project ResultsBy working directly with the retailer to specify the required materials, Anixter helped the retailer’s operations and marketing personnel maximize their efforts for new store opening procedures, advertising and promotions. The kitting and store-by-store delivery offered by Anixter’s READY! Site offering helped the network integrator ensure each store was brought online by the targeted deadline, which helped the retailer achieve its store-opening goals. By using its READY! Deployment Services, Anixter was able to assign a single part number to each READY! solution, which helped to reduce the number of parts the integrator needed to order for each store from more than 150 to three, saving time and money in administrative costs. Staging the kits in a local distribution center reduced the associated freight costs and lessened the time in transit, which provided the integrator with greater flexibility in ordering and installation.

CASE STUDY Regional Retailer Gets Stores Running with READY! Site

S I T E

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Anixter Successfully Hosts First ONVIF Plugfest in the U.S.

Anixter recently hosted the first ONVIF Developer’s Plugfest to take place in the U.S. The engineers-only event took place over three days in September with 17 manufacturers testing the interoperability of IP cameras and software. Anixter had the opportunity to sit down with Markus Wierny, Product Manager for Video over IP at BOSCH and member of ONVIF’s Technical Services Committee.

According to Wierny, the Plugfests greatly affect ONVIF’s mission. “It gives interoperability a platform and gives manufacturers a chance to test their products against other manufacturers,” Wierny said. “It directly affects the end-user by ensuring the products they get work with other companies’ products on their network.”

As a member of ONVIF, Anixter was able to provide a neutral site for the event. Manufacturer representatives tested the integration of IP cameras and VMS software at the logical and protocol layers. Participants tested their products’ implementations of ONVIF’s core specification 1.01 and against different video codecs such as H.264 and MJEPG.

“The long-term goal of these Plugfests is to make it easier for users and manufacturers to select and use cameras,” Wierny said. “End-users will be able to choose whatever camera they want to have on their network.”

ONVIF believes in creating an open atmosphere for security products. The Plugfests are conducted twice a year to facilitate this openness and are moved from continent to continent. Before coming to the U.S., the previous two Plugfest were in Tokyo and Stuttgart.

“ONVIF is a worldwide initiative and it is important that we have representatives from different countries,” Wierny said. “Anixter fosters the open atmosphere and open discussion we need for the Plugfest to be successful. The focus is on the developers and the technology.”

With more than 200 companies signing on to ONVIF, there is still much to learn and gain from Plugfests and ONVIF’s specifications. “There are several companies here where it is their first Plugest,” Wierny said. “It is a very positive thing for the development of interoperability.”

In addition to IP video interoperability, ONVIF is expanding its scope to include access control. Work is currently being completed on ONVIF’s core specification for this addition, and once it is ready, specifications beyond 2.0 will include access control.

Anixter is a contributing member of ONVIF and one of the original five companies that was voted to be a member of the Technical Services Committee, which defines, creates and maintains a verification and self-conformance process for the network functional entities as defined by ONVIF technical specifications.

Read more about Anixter’s industry associations.

Learn more about ONVIF by visiting the organization’s Web site.

Issue 7

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Because all American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards need to be reaffirmed, revised or withdrawn every five years, it was time to put the ANSI/TIA-942 standard up for review. One of the more popular and useful data center standards, TIA-942 provides best practices for the implementation of a telecommunications structure for data centers. The standard apparently needed to be revised and now the TIA is working on an updated standard called TIA-942-A.

The new standard will include greater compatibility with the TIA-568-C series of standards including the use of references, terms and cabling infrastructure descriptions. There will also be a section devoted to energy-efficient design. As environmental concerns and cost savings spread to all industries, telecommunications networks need to identify green best practices that save costs and improve efficiency. The standard will include recommenda-tions regarding the design of telecommunications cabling, pathways and spaces.

To handle large data center topologies, the standard will add a new space named the intermediate distribution area (IDA), which contains a new second-level backbone distributor named the intermediate cross-connect (IC). TIA-942-A covers telecom cabling (topologies, cable types, distances) and telecom spaces (height, lighting, doors, floor loading, HVAC, finishes, power, grounding).

The standard will incorporate TIA-942 Addendum 1 (coaxial cables and E1, T1, E3, and T3 circuit distances) and TIA-942 Addendum 2 (RF interference, lighting levels, revised temperature and humidity, addition of Cat 6A, revised tiering). Labeling will be superseded by TIA-606-A-1. Grounding will be superseded by TIA-607-B. Cabinets are to be moved to TIA-569-C. The standard removes Category 3 and 5e horizontal cabling as well as 62.5/125 OM1 fiber and adds OM4 fiber. It accommodates larger data center topologies and includes telecom redundancy at various tiers.

The standard should be published sometime in 2011. Because the standard isn’t published, many of the specifications can be expected to be changed. As a member of numerous industry standard organization, Anixter’s technical experts adhere to industry best practices and standards when recommending products, technologies and design for telecommunications networks.

Learn more about Anixter’s involvement with industry standards by visiting the Industry Standards page on anixter.com.

Important Changes Made to TIA-942 Standard

Issue 7

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New BICSI Standard Released

BICSI released a new standard to provide best practices for the design and installation of data centers. Called ANSI/BICSI-002 Data Center Design and Implementation Best Practices, the standard is meant to supplement, not replace, existing data center cabling standards such as TIA-942 and CENELEC EN 50173-5.

The ANSI/BICSI-002 standard includes installation requirements and guidelines for data centers. With more than 150 experts weighing in on the standard, it comes in at more than 500 pages and covers a wide range of subjects, including site selection, architectur-al and structural design, electrical and mechanical systems, fire protection and security, building automation systems, commissioning and maintenance.

The standard goes beyond standard data center design to include the entire facility and areas beyond the scope of racks and cabinets. This includes site selection, layout, thermal systems and security. As data centers become more complex and factors such as environment and energy usage continue impact decisions, the facility needs to be looked at as a whole with the design of the active components and infrastructure working in sync with facility management. To this end, the standard covers access providers and entrance facilities, telecom spaces, cabinet and racks, cabling pathways, telecom cabling, field testing, telecom administration.

Primarily intended for data center owners and operators, telecommunications and IT consultants and installers, and project managers, the manufacturer-neutral standard at-tempts to avoid duplicating content already addressed in other standards and guidelines. In addition to design and installation best practices, the standard also includes availabil-ity tiers that include component and system redundancy, quality control and survivability. By providing a reference for common terminology and design practices, the standard pulls together information from different places and puts it into one place.

Anixter is a member of BICSI as well as several other industry standard organizations.

Learn more about Anixter’s involvement with industry standards by visiting the Industry Standards page.

Issue 7

page 6

Choosing the Appropriate Cabling Media

Choosing the appropriate cable can affect many aspects of data center design. An entire project or facility must be considered with respect to systems and manufacturer con-nectivity requirements not only for present day needs but also for future requirements. Standard distance limitations and cabling performance must be considered up front to prevent additional costs and potential service disruption. In other words, the best layout is one that allows any piece of equipment to be reached from anywhere within the data center without breaking any distance rules. The expected life of the cabling should be considered in respect to supporting multiple generations of electronic equipment and bandwidth performance improvements, with minimal requirements for pulling up floor tiles or adding media to overhead raceways.

The ANSI/TIA/EIA-942 standard recommends ANSI/TIA Category 6/ISO Class E as the bare minimum copper cable. Category 5 and Category 5e/ISO Class D are not recommended for use in data centers because neither will support 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

Over the past few years, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has completed extensive work on the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard. As 10 Gigabit Ethernet becomes more widely used, particularly in using copper twisted-pair media, data centers will benefit. Structured cabling, any-to-any patch fields and high-performance copper patch cables make data center management and operations very economical and efficient. The TIA standard for Augmented Category 6 twisted-pair (including UTP) or ISO Class EA cabling channels will provide the best investment protection for data centers because many servers, and potentially storage area networks (SANs) will ultimately be connected through 10 Gigabit Ethernet local area networks (LANs) and SANs. In the area of storage networks, 10 Gigabit Ethernet presents some opportunity for creating IP-SANs that use the Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) protocol as an alternative or in addition to Fibre Channel. The same flexibility planners and operators gain from 10 Gigabit Ethernet copper and fiber LAN connectivity in the data environment can be employed with SANs. When optical fiber is required or desired in the data center, ANSI/TIA/EIA-942 recommends laser optimized multimode 50-micro/ISO OM3 although the standard permits 62.5-micro/ISO OM1 products.

The recent 802.3ba amendment to the IEEE 802.3-3008 standard defines the Media Access Control (MAC) parameters, physical layer specifications, and management parameters for the transfer of 802.3 frames at 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps. The updated amendment will facilitate the migration of 10 Gigabit Ethernet from the network core to the network edge since it will effectively remove the bandwidth bottleneck that exists today in many corporate networks by providing 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps data rates for backbone and backhaul applications.

Data Center Cabling Considerations

Data Center design and cabling infrastructure architecture has evolved over the years as needs and technologies change. In the past, the data center manager relied on experience as well as solutions that previously worked and did not work. Planning today’s data center, however, requires a more rigorous approach due to the faster pace at which the data center is changing.

A data center cabling system may require a balance of both copper and fiber to cost effectively meet today’s needs and support the high-bandwidth applications of the future. Rapidly evolving applications and technologies are drastically increasing the speed and volume of traffic on data center networks. Ensuring that a cabling solution is designed to accommodate the higher transmission rates associated with these evolving bandwidth-intensive applications is critical.

The standards committees recognize the evolving needs of the industry and are reacting. ISO is currently in the process of developing cabling standards for extending the bandwidth in copper and 50-micron fiber to support the growing requirements.

In order to address these criteria, the following must be considered and prioritized:

• The sophistication of the network applications

• The kind of traffic expected on the various portions of the data center network based on number of users, data transfer requirements of each user, LAN architecture, etc.

• The life expectancy of the network and cabling infrastructure

• The frequency of moves, adds and changes

• The growth potential of the network over its expected life

• Any adverse physical conditions in the customer’s data center

• Any access restriction whether physical or time related

Customers are looking for high-performance solutions for a more effective overall operation of their data center network. Manageability is essential; without it, the cabling infrastructure takes over the data center in a short amount of time. To increase control over the data center infrastructure, structured cabling should be implemented. The key benefit of structured cabling is that the user regains control of the infrastructure rather than living with an unmanageable build-up of patch cords and mass of cables under the floor.

The initial data center must be designed so it can be scaled quickly and efficiently as its requirements grow. To meet the requirements and demands of the data center, the topology in the data center as well as the actual components implemented the topology must be explored.

Several factors affect cable selection including the type of solutions used (field termination versus factory termination); conduit needs (innerduct versus interlocking armor); cable tray/conduit space availability (cable density/size requirements) and the flame rating of the installation area (NEC requirements).

To learn more about cabling and how it can impact your data center’s performance, request information about Anixter’s ipAssured program for data centers.

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Solid vs. Foam Insulation

Communication cables employ a variety of insulation materials to achieve precise electrical characteristics.

Without this precise control, the successful transmission of communication signals would be impossible,

rendering modern communication equipment useless.

What is insulation?

Cable insulation can be identified as the part of a cable that is typically applied directly to conductors.

Cable insulation works because it has a high resistance to the flow of electrons. The resistance provides

electrical insulation from other cable components. Insulation acts like the pipe that keeps the flowing

electrons contained inside the conductor.

One of the key considerations for communication cable designers is the insulation’s dielectric constant.

Generally speaking, a lower dielectric constant is desirable in a cable because it results in less capacitance

and less stored charge on the cable. This allows the majority of the charge, or signal, to get to its desired

destination.

Solid insulation doesn’t mean it’s rigid

Solid insulation is the most common kind of

insulation used in the wire and cable industry. It is a

layer of solid polymer that covers the conductor. It

should not have voids or bubbles in it. Solid

insulation provides durable mechanical and electrical

protection for the conductor and is generally lower in

cost and complexity to manufacture than foam

insulation. Made of a plastic or rubber polymer, solid

insulation remains flexible while sacrificing very little

crush and impact resistance.

Simple and low cost with excellent mechanical and

electrical performance, solid insulation is used for

control, power, instrumentation and flexible wire and

cable applications. Some solid insulation materials have

a dielectric constant sufficiently low enough that they

can be used to make excellent performing

communication cables. A low and stable dielectric

constant is the electrical characteristic needed to achieve high levels of performance in the most demanding

communication cables. As you might expect, the polymers that provide low dielectric constants tend to be

fairly expensive.

High performance from reduced material

Foam insulation usually has a lower dielectric

constant than solid insulation and is therefore used

almost exclusively for high-performance

communication cables. It is comprised of a layer of

extruded polymer with bubbles of air or nitrogen

throughout. These gas bubbles give the foam

insulation its low dielectric constant. Because the gas

itself has a low dielectric constant, the gas and

Figure 1: Solid insulation from RG 59 style coaxial cable

Figure 2: Foam insulation from RG 11 style coaxial cable

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©Anixter Inc. 2008

polymer blend reduces the dielectric constant relative to the solid version of a given polymer. In fact, foam

insulations can achieve very high levels of electrical performance, which is often necessary for

communication cables. The nature of foam allows the insulation to be thinner than a solid insulation that

has comparable electrical characteristics. Obviously, the reduced thickness is useful in applications where

space is limited.

One drawback associated with the cellular structure of foam insulation is that the bubble size, shape and

dispersion throughout the foam are sometimes difficult to control. Precise control can provide outstanding

performance, but that performance comes at a cost. Variations in foam density, bubble size and location can

drastically reduce the performance of a communication cable. It is important to understand that the added

difficulty may increase the cost enough to offset the reduction in cost that comes from the reduced polymer

volume.

Handle with care

Foam insulation is not as physically robust as solid insulation. Modern materials can have a foam expansion

rate as high as 80 percent, which means there is more gas than polymer in the cable insulation. Having such

high levels of gas reduces the density and mechanical durability of the insulation and may result in a kink in

the insulation around tight bends or greater chance of being crushed. Kinked and crushed insulation can

cause a significant variation in the electrical characteristics, often greatly reducing the performance of the

cable.

Modern manufacturing techniques have allowed for extremely high-performance products with outstanding

quality. Understanding the role of the insulation and its special handling requirements should make your

next application of foamed insulation more successful.