Chapter 2 - Network Infrastructure and Documentation

IDF (Intermediate Distribution Frame)

* Provides an intermediate connection b/w the MDF and end-user equipment on each floor and in each building. (Can refer to the racks holding the network equipment or the room that houses both the racks and the equipment). * There is only one MDF per campus, but there can be many IDFs connecting internal portions of the network. A junction point between the MDF and concentrations of fewer connections—for example, those that terminate in a data closet.

MSA (Master Service Agreement)

A contract that defines terms of future contracts between parties, such as payment terms or arbitration arrangements.

Patch

A correction, improvement, or enhancement to part of a software application, often distributed at no charge by software vendors to fix a bug in their code or to add slightly more functionality.

VoIP PBX (Private Branch Exchange)

A dedicated telephone switch or a virtual switching device that connects and manages calls w/in a private organization, and manages call connections that exit the network through a VoIP gateway.

KVM (Keyboard, Video and Mouse)

A device that connects the equipment in a rack to a single console to provide a central control portal for all devices on the rack.

VoIP Gateway

A device that converts signals from a campus's analog phone equipment into IP data that can travel over the Internet, or that converts VoIP data from an internal IP network to travel over a phone company's analog telephone lines.

MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

A document presenting the intentions of two or more parties to enter into a binding agreement, or contract. The MOU is usually not a legally binding document (although there are exceptions), does not grant extensive rights to either party, provides no legal recourse, and is not intended to provide a thorough coverage of the agreement to come.

RFP (Request for Proposal)

A document requesting that vendors submit a proposal for a product or service that a company wants to purchase.

SOW (Statement of Work)

A document that details the work that must be completed for a particular project, including specifics such as tasks, deliverables, standards, payment schedule, and work timeline. Legally binding, meaning it can be enforced in a court of law.

Rack Diagram

A drawing that shows the devices stacked in a rack system and is typically drawn to scale. Helpful when planning a rack installation. They are also invaluable for tracking and troubleshooting equipment installed in a rack.

Network Diagram

A graphical representation of a network's devices and connections. Diagrams may show physical layout, logical topology, IP address reserves, names of major network devices, and types of transmission media. (Visual overview of a network).

Wiring Schematic

A graphical representation of a network's wired infrastructure.

SLA (Service Level Agreement)

A legally binding contract or part of a contract that defines, in plain language and in measurable terms, the aspects of a service provided to a customer. Specific details might include contract duration, guaranteed uptime, problem management, performance benchmarks, and termination options.

Structured Cabling

A method for uniform, enterprise-wide, multivendor cabling systems specified by the TIA/EIA 568 Commercial Building Wiring Standard. Structured cabling is based on a hierarchical design using a high-speed backbone and assumes a network is set up in a "star topology." Structured cabling describes the best way to install networking media to maximize performance and minimize upkeep. The principles of structured cabling apply no matter what type of media, transmission technology or network speeds are involved.

Punchdown Tool

A pointed tool used to insert twisted-pair wire into receptors in a punchdown block to complete a circuit.

Nmap

A scanning tool designed to assess large networks quickly and provide comprehensive, customized information about a network and its hosts.

Upgrade

A significant change to an application's existing code, typically designed to improve functionality or add new features while also correcting bugs and vulnerabilities.

Crosstalk

A type of interference caused by signals traveling on nearby wire pairs infringing on another pair's signal.

EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)

A type of interference that may be caused by motors, power lines, televisions, copiers, fluorescent lights, or other sources of electrical activity.

Patch Panel

A wall- or rack-mounted panel where cables converge in one location.

VoIP Endpoint

An end user device or application that gives the user access to VoIP services on a network. (Telephones sitting at each user's location or applications hosted on a user's PC or other device).

MLA (Master License Agreement)

Grants a license from a creator, developer, or producer to a third party for the purposes of marketing, sublicensing, or distributing the product to consumers as a stand-alone product or as a part of another product.

Entrance Facility

The location where an incoming network service (whether phone, Internet, or long-distance service) enters a building and connects with the building's backbone cabling. Contains a service provider's equipment (cabling, protective boxes and the demarc).

MDF (Main Distribution Frame or Main Distribution Facility) AKA "MC" (Main Cross-Connect)

The main cross connect, the centralized point of interconnection between an organization's LAN or WAN and a service provider's facility. (Refers to either the racks holding the network equipment or the room that houses both the racks and the equipment). The MDF and the entrance facility might be in the same data room or they could be in separate rooms, depending on the layout of the building. *Connections branching out from the MDF include Ethernet cables connecting to nearby work areas, large cables running IDFs in other buildings or on other floors of the same building, and the incoming connection from the service provider's facility. Besides serving as a connection for cables, an MDF might contain the demarc (or an extension from the demarc, if the demarc itself is located outside the building).

Demarc (Demarcation Point)

The point of division between a telecommunications service carrier's network and a building's internal network. (For MOST situations, the device that marks where a telecommunications service provider's network ends and the organization's network begins). Example: The device where the WAN ends and the LAN begins is the demarc. / A network begins at the demarc and ens at a workstation.

System Life Cycle

The process of designing, implementing, and maintaining an entire network. A major part of this process is the removal and disposal of out-dated assets, and the addition of compatible, updated devices.

Inventory Management

The process of monitoring and maintaining all the assets that make up a network. (e.g., You might create your own documentation for this via spreadsheet, database or an inventory management application). Documentation simplifies maintaining and upgrading a network b/c it ensures that you know what the network includes.

Rollback

The process of reverting to a previous version of a software application after attempting to patch or upgrade it.

VoIP (Voice over IP)

The use of any network (public or private) to carry voice signals using TCP/IP protocols. (The provision of telephone service over a packet-switched network running the TCP/IP protocol suite).

Punchdown Block

Type of termination point. This is a panel of voice or data receptors into which twisted-pair wire is inserted, or punched down, using a punchdown tool, to complete a circuit. The type of punchdown block used on data networks is known as "110 block. 110 blocks are more suitable for data connections than the older "66 block," which was primarily used for telephone connections.