Define the following terms:
Application (in terms of cabling infrastructure) – systems supported by telecommunications cabling; includes Ethernet, Token ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) – a type of cabling containing pairs of copper wires that are twisted together with plastic casing but without an electromagnetically shielded jacket; typically used in Ethernet applications where EMI is not a factor
Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) – a type of cabling containing copper wire pairs that are twisted and sometimes shielded, the pairs are then encased in a an electromagnetically shielded jacket; used for protection against EMI and has less attenuation
Fiber-Optic Cable – cabling containing fibers made of glass or plastic over which data is transmitted as light; offers very high speed and bandwidth
Dark Fiber – extra fibers that are installed that do not transmit light until they are activated, sometimes leased out by the Telecommunications companies.
Coaxial Cable – cabling with single or stranded copper wire conductor with insulation, conducting shield, and an outer insulating jacket.
Plenum – the space above a false ceiling or below a floor that is used to help circulate conditioned air in a building
Riser – cabling that runs between floors and is fire rated
Rip Cord – a piece of string that is constructed into fiber optic cables that when pulled will split the outer jacket for access to the core
Core – the central conducting element of fiber optic cables that transmits light signals
Attenuation – the loss of power or degradation of signals over the length of a cable
Noise – any interference of intended signals over a closed circuit or cable
Headroom – the number of decibels by which a system exceeds the minimum defined requirements
ANSI – The American National Standards Institute; a private, nonprofit organization that encourages voluntary