Cabling Recommendations

Comply with the following recommendations:

• Use only shielded cables.
• Ensure that cable distance and rate limits meet IEEE-recommended maximum speeds and distances for signaling purposes. For information about attenuation and power loss in optical fiber cables see:
  • ANSI T1.646a-1997 Telecommunications – Broadband ISDN - Physical Layer Specification for User-Network Interfaces Including DS1/ATM (1997)
  • ANSI T1.646-1995 Telecommunications – Broadband ISDN - Physical Layer Specification for User-Network Interfaces Including DS1/ATM (1995)
• Ensure that power cables deliver sufficient power to the system.
• Attach laser fiber connectors only to Class 1 laser devices in accordance with IEC 825-1, Safety of Laser Products - Part 1.
• Route cables so that they do not restrict ventilation or airflow.
• Route cables so that modules and field-replaceable units are easily accessible.
• Route cables in a logical direction to prevent loss of connectivity to other equipment in the rack, associated equipment in adjacent racks, or to the backbone network.
• Consider using cable-management brackets to keep network cables untangled and orderly and to prevent cables from hindering access to other slots.
• For specifications on cables for line modules, see the ERX Module Guide.

You may want to consult the document GR-63 (LSSGR, FD-15): Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) Requirements: Physical Protection, Issue 1, October 1995 for additional cable recommendations.