Read this Structured Cabling Glossary if you’ll hire structured cabling help but don’t know where to start.

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Or read further into the Structured Cabling Glossary of Terms around this topic.

2023 Structured Cabling Glossary of Terms

What is 1000BASE-T?

Ethernet for 1000 Mb/s (1 Gb/s) using 4 pairs of Category 5 cables.

What is 100BASE-T?

Fast 100 Mb/s Ethernet using 4-pair Category 3 cable.

What is 10BASE-T?

Ethernet for 10 Mb/s using 2 pairs of Category 3 cables.

What is ASCII Architecture?

It is a network topology with a switch for bandwidths wide.

What is Attenuation?

The effect of diminishing or losing a signal is experienced with the cumulative length of the line or the distance of the radio transmission.

What is Backboard?

A plywood panel mounted to the wall of a telecommunications room. It is used for the assembly of telecommunications equipment.

What is Backbone Cabling?

It extends from the main Telecommunications closet (Cross-Connect Principal) to the secondary telecommunications closets, it includes the connection hardware dedicated to the vertical cabling and the cables that join them.

What is Balun?

An adapter is used to convert balanced signals to unbalanced signals to connect legacy (or vintage) equipment or video devices to structured cabling.

What is BNC (Bayonet-Neill-Concelman) Connector?

Commonly used connector for coaxial cable. After insertion, the plug is turned, squeezing the pins into the socket.

What is BUS in Structured Cabling?

It consists of a common transmission path and has a series of built-in nodes. It is sometimes called linear network topology.

What is a Channel Structured Cabling?

End-to-end transmission path that connects any two application-specific pieces of equipment. Equipment cables and work area cables are included in the raceway.

What is Consolidation Point?

The interconnection point is located in the horizontal cabling that is generally used to support the rearrangement of furnished spaces.

What is a Crimping Tool?

It is the tool that is used to build the Patch Cord cables from the PC to the network point or from the Patch Panel to the Hub. It connects the RJ-45 Plugs with the eight wires of the UTP cable.

What is Cross-Connect (XC)?

It allows the elements of a cable and their connections to be terminated, basically with flexible connection conductors, or jumpers.

What is Data Termination Equipment (DTE)?

It is the term used to describe any type of computer or equipment when connected to a data communication network.

What is Delay Skew?

The difference in propagation delay between the slowest and fastest pairs in a cable. Delay skew is caused by cables of different lengths within twisted pair cables.

What is ELFEXT (Equal Level Far End Crosstalk)?

A measure of unwanted electrical noise from a transmitter (near the end) on a neighboring wire pair measured at the far end, relative to the received signal measured on the same pair.

What is Ethernet?

LAN was originally developed by DEC, Xerox, and Intel. It uses the CSMA/CD protocol.

What is EIA/TIA?

North American Standards Organization.

What is EIA/TIA 568B?

Telecommunications cabling standard for commercial buildings in North America.

What is EIA/TIA 569A?

Telecommunication space and track cabling standard for commercial buildings in North America. Its purpose is to standardize specific construction designs and practices within and between buildings that support media and telecommunications equipment.

What is EIA/TIA 606?

Management standard for telecommunications infrastructure in commercial buildings in North America. Its purpose is to offer guidelines for a uniform administration scheme for the cabling infrastructure.

What is FEXT (Far End Crosstalk)?

Unwanted electrical noise from a transmitter (near the end) on a neighboring wire pair measured at the far end.

What is Fiber Channel?

ANSI standard that describes the point-to-point and interpoints physical interface, transmission protocol, signaling protocol, services, and mapping command set of a high-performance serial link for use between mainframe computers and their peripherals.

What is Generic Cabling?

It is a telecommunications structured cabling system capable of supporting a wide range of applications. Generic cabling can be installed without knowing what the required applications are.

What is Hybrid Cabling?

Set of two or more different types of cable units, cables, or categories covered by a general coating. It can be covered, in turn, by a complete shield.

What is Horizontal Cabling?

connects a floor distributor with one or several telecommunications connection points.

What is a Jumper in Structured Cabling?

A unit or element of cable that does not have connectors and is used to make crossover connections.

What is LAN (Local Area Network)?

The interconnection of computers and peripherals to form a network within a business or home is usually limited to one building.

What is MAC (Moves Adds and Changes)?

When users change locations on the network. Refers to data and voice networks.

What is MT-RJ?

Small duplex fiber optic connector that resembles an RJ-45 connector.

What is Monomode (Singlemode)?

Optical fiber with a small diameter core where only a single mode can propagate. The standard core size is 8.3 microns.

What is Multimode?

Optical fiber has a large central sector and allows non-axial rays or modes to propagate along the core.

What is a Multi-user outlet (MUTOA)?

Or “Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Array”, is a grouping of telecommunications outlets that serves several individual work areas.

What is NEXT (Near End Crosstalk)?

Performance parameters measured within a single link/channel. Measures the signal coupled from one pair to another.

What is NIC (Network Interface Card)?

Important hardware components are used to provide network connections.

What is an Outlet?

A partition that provides a point of connection to power, telephone, or network services.

What is Patch Cord?

A short cable with a plug at each end is used to make a crossover connection.

What is Patch Panel?

The panel, usually rack-mountable, contains the connection hardware for joining multiple cables.

What is PBX (Private Branch Exchange)?

A device that provides private voice and voice switching services in the private network.

What is Power Sum?

The only method for testing and measuring crosstalk in multi-pair cables that calculates the sum of crosstalk affecting one pair when all other pairs are active is to specify crosstalk performance that is appropriate for the cables made up of more than four pairs.

What is Propagation Delay?

The time it takes for a signal to travel from one point to another through a transmission channel.

What is Punchdown?

A punch block is a mechanism used to connect crossover cable assemblies through a system of metal pinouts in telecommunications closets or local area networks (LANs).

What is a Rack in Structured Cabling?

Base, metal structure, or support whose mission is to house computer systems and telecommunications networks.

What is Return Loss in Structured Cabling?

Measurement of a signal reflected the transmitter as a result of impedance differences in the cabling.

What is an SC Connector?

Push-pull single-channel fiber optic connector.

What is an ST Connector?

Clamp connectors similar to coaxial connectors are usually used in hybrid Ethernet installations between paired cables and fiber optics. Requires a twist of the connector for insertion.

What is Thicknet?

It uses a type of coaxial cable known as Grade 8 Radio, which conforms to the original Xerox Ethernet specification and has a diameter of approximately half an inch (1.27 cm).

What is Thinnet?

It uses a thinner type of coaxial cable known as Radio Grade 58, which is similar to the Radio Grade 6 cable used for cable TV.

What is Token Ring?

LAN standard for 4 or 16 Mb/s based on a pass-through protocol originally developed by IBM. Sometimes referred to as the IEEE 802.5 standard or the ISO 8802-5 standard.

What is Twinaxial Cable (“Twinax”)?

Similar to coaxial, the only difference is that the center of the cable contains a twisted pair instead of a single conductor.

We recommend you bookmarking this page for later, in case you need to fact-check or fastly check any of word’s concept from this Structured Cabling Glossary

In this article, we are going to talk about everything related to the profession of fiber installer.

Read further, because we are going to explain what are the necessary studies, the job profile, and the knowledge required to become a Structured Cabling Technician, Contractor, and/or Engineer, in case you’re interested in going into this career path.

What Is a Structured Cabling Technician & What It Does

The profile of a fiber optic installer is that of a person with skill and knowledge of everything related to computing and telecommunications. You must be a meticulous person, who knows how to analyze possible problems and solve difficulties that arise in the installation.

It is also important to be a person with initiative, good observation, and decision-making.

Sometimes in this type of work, different alternatives may arise when passing cables, for example, and it is necessary to make the best decision without delay. Therefore, these factors must be present in the profile.

Regarding the necessary knowledge, we can name some such as transmission systems, fiber optic, and cabling components, security measures, telecommunications installations, preparation of pipelines, IP networks, and in general computer knowledge to be able to carry out tests.

A fiber optic installer will have different functions, as we are going to see.

Beyond the installation itself, you will also have to take care of maintenance, solve certain errors that may appear, or fine-tune the equipment connected to the network, such as the router.

Structured Cabling Technician Salary & Jobs Opportunities

As in most jobs of this type, the salary will depend on experience, knowledge, and also the functions for which it is commissioned.

However, we can take into account what the general average salary may be.

If we look at job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor, which is responsible for analyzing salaries, we can see that the payment varies between $20/hour and $35/hour, which ranges between $800 and $1,400 per week, in case of working 40 hours per week.

Being able to reach $70,000 per year. Now, you can get an idea of what the usual salary is for this type of job as a fiber optic installer.

How to Become a  Structured Cabling Contractor/Technician

To work as a fiber optic installer it is necessary to have knowledge related to computers, telecommunications, electronics, or electricity.

All of this will be very useful to be able to correctly install fiber both at home and in a more complex installation in a large company.

There are multiple studies related to this type of profession. There are university degrees that will allow you to acquire the necessary knowledge, such as telecommunications engineering, computer science (systems, management, software…), or any university degree related to electronics and electricity.

But there are also many training courses, both intermediate and advanced, that can help you to be installed with fiber optics. For example, a higher degree of electrical maintenance, systems, and networks.

In addition, there are more specific master’s degrees that you can also direct toward this branch.

However, to be a fiber optic installer you can take training courses. There are many since it is a profession that today is in high demand.

Fiber installation and maintenance courses, network data transmission courses, telecommunications specialist technicians, and other similar ones.

Of course, it is a job that requires constant training. Technology changes and so do the methods for installation, computer equipment, and everything necessary.

It is essential to adapt to changes and therefore it is convenient to train beyond the initial studies and be able to be prepared for any change.

Network cabling troubleshooting includes slow network speeds, weak Wi-Fi signals, damaged cabling, and so much more.

After all, enterprise networks are complex, and end users often complain about what appears to be poor application performance, and there can be many possible reasons for these hiccups.

Below are five common networking problems that we fix at LayerLogix.

  1. Network Cabling Is Unplugged or Not Properly Plugged In – Just as the first point’s title says, a common problem is when a network cable becomes damaged or loose. Cables can be added or removed from one switch and one of the other cables to be accidentally disconnected.

    Or a cable was damaged when it was pulled around a sharp edge while working on heating or air conditioning pipes. In the affected network segment, it should be clear which cable was damaged.

    But finding the problem along a cable that runs across the ceiling can be time-consuming.

  1. Slow DNS lookups – DNS matches the common name used to match nameservers or services with the Internet address that routes a network request. For commonly used names, the match is likely already stored in the system’s DNS cache, and the lookup is fast. For lesser-used names, the match may be stored in a cache further away, such as the top-level name root server, such as .com, .org, or a national root, such as .UK

    Each DNS server along the route checks its cache before requesting the next server along the route. The next server then checks its cache, repeating the process. If the search is slow, there may be a slow link in the path or a slow or overloaded server.

    To get around this problem, the local network administrator can reconfigure the local routers to move requests to a faster chain of servers.

  1. Duplicate and static IP addresses – On a network, no two systems can share the same Internet address. If there are duplicate Internet addresses, neither system can reliably access the network.

    The addresses of most network devices are assigned when Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) boots systems on the local network. DHCP maintains a pool of addresses assigned to the local network, assigning a different address from the pool to each system.

    Workstations are not assigned permanent addresses but rather receive one for a limited time from DHCP. The systems request it again before the time runs out and usually receive the same address. If the system shuts down without prompting again and times out, it loses this address and may receive a different one at boot time.

    The DHCP manager may assign a static IP address to some devices on the network, such as printers or web servers because external systems will not update if the address changes.

    One problem is that sometimes users set up a private web server to support a hobby, assigning a static address without informing the network administrator.

    They both share a DHCP server in an organization or home network. Thus, if the static address matches one assigned by DHCP, the network is interrupted.

    Often these private web servers are configured to upload and download licensed music or video and consume excessive network bandwidth.

  1. Exhausted IP addresses – The supply of internet addresses is limited. Each service provider is assigned a supply based on the expected number needed. The best known are IPv4 addresses, which at first were thought to be adequate so that each system could have one assigned.

    But with the proliferation of mobile phones and other devices, it has become necessary to move to IPv6 with 128-bit addresses for some networks.

    A widely used method of stretching the supply of addresses is Network Address Translation (NAT), a feature that routers often incorporate. Each of them is assigned a unique Internet address, assigned from the global pool of addresses. Its internal DHCP server assigns private addresses to systems on attached local networks, typically an Ethernet or wireless network.

    Private addresses typically start with 10 or 192,168 on networks that use 32-bit IPv4 addresses. These address ranges can be used many times, helping to save addresses.

    The NAT server assigns traffic to its global address to communicate with the Internet. The responses are mapped back through the private addresses.

  1. VLAN and VPN issues – Check for virtual LAN (VLAN) misconfiguration issues. Review the configuration on each switch, carefully comparing the configurations to ensure compatibility with the switch configuration.

    The most common VPN problem is connection failure. First, check if you are successfully connecting to the service and make sure that your account is up to date and that you are entering the correct credentials.

    Next, check your firewall settings. You need to open some ports. Check if that is the problem by temporarily closing your firewall. Lastly, reboot your system.

    Try accessing the VPN from a different network, for example by switching from Wi-Fi to Ethernet on the router. If the problem persists, check your firewall’s documentation for other solutions or contact the VPN provider’s help desk.

In short, networks are complex, and problems happen… And these are just some of the most common types of network and cabling (network cabling).

When other types of network problems occur, search for help on the web or contact network service providers or professional teams such as LayerLogix.

Structured cabling seeks to create a local area network, especially suitable for cases of fiber optic installations. And it includes cables, connectors, pipes, and devices, always respecting the rules and quality standards.

But, is it beneficial to bet on this modality?

We are going to analyze what are the main advantages and disadvantages of structured cabling, assuring it is ideal for your home or company.

Structured Cabling Benefits & Advantages

If you are thinking of contracting the installation of structured cabling for a building, you should know that it is very intelligent. 

In addition, you will save yourself a lot of trouble if it is done by LayerLogix professionals.

Next, we present the main advantages of structured cabling:

  1. Easy maintenance – Being a uniform network, the companies in charge of their maintenance tend to carry out very simple tasks to have everything under control, which is why it is one of the main advantages of structured cabling.

  1. Greater performance – Being a cutting-edge technology in the sector, its performance and operation will always be superior to that of other alternatives, with a very long amortization and expected useful life.

  1. Security – Precisely because it is a relatively new system, its security measures are very reliable, with tested components to guarantee the peace of mind of those who manipulate it.

  1. Flexibility – It is the indicated solution for a great variety of telecommunications products, whatever they may be since it is a very versatile network for its use. For this reason, it facilitates the work of several servers of different natures on the network.

  1. Higher speed – As structured cabling means higher performance, this also translates into higher data transmission speeds through the benefits of fiber optics.

  1. Aesthetic harmony – The space in which this system is installed will maintain a clean and orderly appearance, creating environments that are pleasing to the eye and thus avoiding the chaotic appearance of other alternatives.

  1. Signal integration – The connection of the signals is integrated into the same network, thus making use of a single way of distributing information.

  1. Possibility of expansion or transfer – One of the handicaps of other systems is that it requires complex tasks to expand their capabilities or move to another location if the company moves its headquarters, sometimes putting the information contained at risk; With structured cabling, extensions and transfers are carried out in an agile, simple and safe way.

  1. Economic system – At the initial cost of its installation, already affordable, it is not necessary to add large amounts for maintenance or modifications.

  1. Easy system management – In the event of a user moving from their physical location, you will not need to reconfigure your network station, so your equipment’s configuration status will be kept in perfect condition.

Structured Cabling Pros and Cons 2
Source: Pexels (@FieldEngineer)

Structured Cabling Cons & Disadvantages

However, this network also has different drawbacks of structured cabling that must be taken into account when going to it.

  1. Different wiring routes – The different routes that cables follow can require in-depth knowledge to be able to correctly interpret them and determine how to intervene if necessary.

  1. Reinstallation for each transfer – Although we have mentioned its facility for a hypothetical transfer, the truth is that if it is carried out, reinstallation work will be needed.

  1. Old cable – One of the most common problems that we can face is that old cables that are no longer used accumulate and, over time, it becomes impossible to use them for other purposes.

  1. Systems incompatibility – When integrating systems, certain errors may occur that make it difficult to work with them.

  1. Cables Interference – In this system, different types of structured cabling can be used and, when connecting between them, interference can be generated that makes it difficult to access and process information.

  1. Greater difficulty in locating faults – With this modality, it can be really difficult to know the origin of a fault that complicates the operation and performance of the structured cabling in these servers.

  1. Need for a prior study – Deciding on the installation of this network may require a prior study to find out if it is profitable or not, taking into account the activity and the needs of the company that uses it.

  1. Trained personnel – For certain issues that require rapid intervention, the criteria of qualified operators who are thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of this system will be needed.

The truth is that the benefits are greater in quantity and more important and these drawbacks are easily overcome and a business can be developed based on the great advantages of structured cabling.


LayerLogix is one of the great national references in terms of network cabling, with a group of professionals that provides the best solutions on structured cabling and other alternatives for faster and more efficient information management.

What is telecommunications network trunking, and why is it necessary?

What types are there and how are they installed?

In the last decades, the development of telecommunications has had exponential growth, hence the number of channels of communication networks has had to increase to satisfy the needs of the population.

What Is Meant by Trunking in Networking? What’s Its Purpose?

The channeling of communication networks is a civil work of linear layout that is formed with a set of pieces that are located under the surface of terrain and that house and support the cables and the rest of the components of the communication networks.

The gutters are a practical tool to avoid exposing the cables to the elements. They are manufactured in different shapes, sizes, and materials (plastic, metal, PVC, or galvanized structures).

There is also a large number of accessories to allow adequate fastening of the cable assembly inside the ducts. Among the accessories, there are the joints, elbows, corners, entrances, and exits, also the dividing walls and unions.

Having said this, and although the most common thing was to place these pipes below the surface, today there are some alternatives to consider if necessary.

Different Network Cabling Trunking Types

To adapt to the circumstances of each client, several types of pipes will be very useful for the installation of communication networks.

Choosing the right one will depend on factors such as characteristics of the building or construction, aesthetics, and economic cost, among others. 

Therefore, technicians must know everything about each type, including the advantages and disadvantages, as well as their installation methods.

In more complex networks, the plant distributor comes to occupy an entire room, called the telecommunications room.

Depending on the type of assembly required and the ground conditions, one type or another of channeling will be used.

How to Install Network Cabling Trunking

Layout planning is the first phase of effective network installation.

Existing cable runs should be identified and it should be noted that long cable runs require long-radius conduits for bends.

The entry points for the runs must be kept accessible, to allow the installation, inspection, and maintenance of the cables.

Another issue to plan is the length of the laying (worry that the pipeline has inspection points approximately every 12 m) and the number of 90-degree bends within the pipeline, not exceeding 30m in length or more than two of these curves without there being a registration box.

In routes through areas with restricted access, other types of conduits that are more flexible in terms of handling and extension of the cable can be used, such as open trays suspended from the ceiling.

Once the plans are completely clear… The rest is a little more intuitive.
But don’t underestimate this job, for whatever reason, so many companies hire expert technicians like the ones at LayerLogix to plan and install network cabling trunking, even more so in larger and more complex networks.

When guaranteeing an infrastructure, installation, or project for a cabling system, LayerLogix is based on a series of Structured Cabling Standards, established by the body involved in their development.

This facilitates the correct operation and performance of the installation, as well as the reduction of unnecessary and potentially harmful risks for the operation of the implanted system.

Structured Cabling Standards

ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-BTelecommunications Wiring in Commercial Buildings on how to install Wiring
ANSI/TIA/EIA-569-AStandards for Telecommunications Routes and Spaces in Commercial Buildings on how to route cabling
ANSI/TIA/EIA-570-AResidential Telecommunications Infrastructure Standards
ANSI/TIA/EIA-606-ATelecommunications Infrastructure Management Standards in Commercial Buildings
ANSI/TIA/EIA-607Requirements for installations of Telecommunications grounding systems in Commercial Buildings
ANSI/TIA/EIA-758Customer-Owner Standard for External Telecommunications Plant Wiring
ANSI/TIA/EIA-942Telecommunications infrastructure standard for data centers
J-STD-607Standard for Telecommunications Grounding and Bonding Requirements in Commercial Buildings

The standards are also driven by trends in the structured cabling industry, such as the convergence of voice, video, and data applications, as well as increased bandwidth.

In the link, you can learn more about it…


Or ask us any questions in case you have come to our website looking for answers about structured cabling overall. Want to talk?

What do you think will be the next structured cabling trends & stats for 2023?

It’s easy to look ahead five years and say that the cloud, co-located data centers, and IoT will continue to drive change in the way we do business.

While some think that cables will go away with wireless, they forget that those units still need to be connected and powered to support today’s business operations, so bandwidth requirements and layouts will continue to be an issue. increasingly important in the future of cabling.

Structured Cabling Stats (2023 -)

The structured cabling market size is valued at USD 16.36 billion by 2028 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.62% during the forecast period 2021 to 2028.

It is a significant improvement from the last estimate made by Research and MarketsCisco, in which they project growth from USD 10.9 billion in 2020 to USD 13.5 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 4.3%

High demand for high-speed connectivity devices and systems is expected to influence growth, as well a rising trend of data center convergence and high investments in communication infrastructure are expected to support the growth of the market. structured cabling.

And based on the type of solution, the structured cabling market is segmented into products, services, and software.

  1. Product: Further segmented into cables, communication connectors, patch panels and interconnects, patch cords and cable assemblies, and racks and cabinets.
  1. Service: Further segmented into Installation and Consulting, Managed Services, and Maintenance and Support.

Market share data is available separately for Global, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America.

Key Players Covered in the Structured Cabling Market Report are:

Now, let’s take a look at the biggest structured cabling trend of 2023.


Structured Cabling Trend – Fiber Optic vs Copper Cabling

As is well known, optical fiber is made of thin glass threads through which bursts of light are sent to transport information.

This construction allows for much higher bandwidth to transport signals and lower distance limitations compared to copper.

However, today’s devices do not directly support a fiber connection.

However, this picture will change as the cost of fiber optics continues to drop and allows more devices to have a direct fiber connection.

In this sense, the executive points out that some wireless access points and security cameras already have a native fiber connection, so it is only a matter of time until this becomes a standard.

Structured cabling solutions heavily involve the use of both horizontal and backbone cabling. These types of cabling support the existence and proper operation of entire IT infrastructures in organizations of all sizes.

Therefore, when dealing with our IT and structuring cabling needs, it is important to know the difference between the different solutions, both of them equally necessary.

There is no choosing between horizontal and backbone cabling. Instead, they coexist and complement each other, serving varied purposes.

Understanding Horizontal Cabling

Horizontal cabling is responsible for effectively interconnecting telecom rooms with WAOs (Work Area Outlet) or individual active workstations. The goal is to be the link between work devices and the central system.

When it comes to designing structured cabling solutions, it’s important to say that horizontal cabling doesn’t run between floors, a connectivity role that is exclusive to backbone cabling.

Horizontal cabling commonly uses CAT5e, CAT6, and CAT6a copper cables and TIA (Telecommunications Industry Association) standards demand that no more than 90 meters in cable length can be installed between the WAOs and the end-point in the telecom rooms.

Understanding Backbone Cabling

On the other hand, backbone cabling enables the central IT infrastructure to operate. This cabling solution runs through facilities and buildings, floors, and telecom rooms.

The backbone method is based on the use of fiber optic cable, which is more versatile than the traditional copper cable that is present in horizontal installations. One of the main advantages of the backbone method’s fiber optic cable is the distance this cable can run between telecommunication rooms, something that is not the case with copper’s 90-meter limit.

The Fundamental Difference

As we saw, horizontal and backbone cabling methods serve different purposes and both are necessary for our connectivity needs. They fulfill different roles within the IT infrastructure.

If we want to get into technicalities, we will discover that these types of cabling solutions also differ in the materials they require. Because of their use and the environments they are in, the cables used in backbone installations must comply with reliability standards, making sure, for example, that they will safely tolerate a range of temperatures, support their weight, be fire-resistant, among other requisites.

Solving your Structured Cabling Needs

Either for horizontal or backbone cabling projects, your business will need a partner it can trust. At LayerLogix, we help our clients with quality IT solutions so they can enjoy peace of mind.

We are specialists in structure cabling projects. Our team can take care of your cabling needs, successfully supporting the proper operation of your IT infrastructure.

Call us today and get a quote.