FOA Certified Premises Cabling | QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What are the different types of connectors used? MTP(MPO) , SC, LC and ST
What does MDF stand for? Main Distribution Frame
What does IDF stand for? Intermediate Distribution Frame
What is the standard everyone in the US refers to as the EIA/TIA 568
basis of structured cabling?
, What is the International standard for structured cabling? ISO-11801
What do the category designations mean (I.e, CAT 3/ CAT The performance level of the UTP
5e/ CAT 6)?
List the copper cable types included in the TIA-568 Unshielded twisted pair, screened twisted pair and shielded twisted pair
structured cabling standards.
What is the cable from the telecom closet (room) to the Horizontal cabling
work area outlet (desktop) called?
What is the cabling that connects all hubs from the Backbone cabling
telecom closet to the main cross connect or computer
center called?
Why is the structured cabling standard not like code? It is not legally required
What other cables are recognized in the structured Single mode and multi mode fiber optic cable
cabling standards?
What is the MAXIMUM length of a permanently installed 90 meters
UTP cabling link allowed in the structured cabling
standards?
Telecom closet (TC/TR) The location of the connection between horizontal cabling to the backbone
AKA the telecom room
Main cross-connect (MXC) The old telco term for the location of the main electronics in a building AKA the
equipment room
Intermediate cross connect (IXC) A room in between the TC and the MXC where cables are terminated
Patch panel A rack or box where cables are terminated; usually in 110 punch downs and
interconnected with patch cords
Permanent link The installed cable plant from the work area outlet jack to the patch panel in the
telecom closet/room.
Channel link The cable plant including the link plus the patch cords on either end to connect
the communications hardware.
What is premises cabling Refers to cabling used for communications inside a building orlimited to a campus
Patchcord A short length of stranded cable with a RJ-45 plug on either end, used to connect
hardware to the link or to connect cables in a patch panel. Also a short fiber
optic cable used for connections.
What are cabling standards? Voluntary interoperability standard for communications cabling developed by
manufacturers of cabling components and networking equipment.
ANSWERS
What are the different types of connectors used? MTP(MPO) , SC, LC and ST
What does MDF stand for? Main Distribution Frame
What does IDF stand for? Intermediate Distribution Frame
What is the standard everyone in the US refers to as the EIA/TIA 568
basis of structured cabling?
, What is the International standard for structured cabling? ISO-11801
What do the category designations mean (I.e, CAT 3/ CAT The performance level of the UTP
5e/ CAT 6)?
List the copper cable types included in the TIA-568 Unshielded twisted pair, screened twisted pair and shielded twisted pair
structured cabling standards.
What is the cable from the telecom closet (room) to the Horizontal cabling
work area outlet (desktop) called?
What is the cabling that connects all hubs from the Backbone cabling
telecom closet to the main cross connect or computer
center called?
Why is the structured cabling standard not like code? It is not legally required
What other cables are recognized in the structured Single mode and multi mode fiber optic cable
cabling standards?
What is the MAXIMUM length of a permanently installed 90 meters
UTP cabling link allowed in the structured cabling
standards?
Telecom closet (TC/TR) The location of the connection between horizontal cabling to the backbone
AKA the telecom room
Main cross-connect (MXC) The old telco term for the location of the main electronics in a building AKA the
equipment room
Intermediate cross connect (IXC) A room in between the TC and the MXC where cables are terminated
Patch panel A rack or box where cables are terminated; usually in 110 punch downs and
interconnected with patch cords
Permanent link The installed cable plant from the work area outlet jack to the patch panel in the
telecom closet/room.
Channel link The cable plant including the link plus the patch cords on either end to connect
the communications hardware.
What is premises cabling Refers to cabling used for communications inside a building orlimited to a campus
Patchcord A short length of stranded cable with a RJ-45 plug on either end, used to connect
hardware to the link or to connect cables in a patch panel. Also a short fiber
optic cable used for connections.
What are cabling standards? Voluntary interoperability standard for communications cabling developed by
manufacturers of cabling components and networking equipment.
