ANU Communication Rooms/Cabinets Standards

The overarching University Policy which covers patching responsibilities is the Network Operations Policy. Responsibility for the patching of locally managed network connecting devices (PCs, servers, storage, printers, etc) rests with the LITSS, with the patching Standards to be met contained within this web page. Networks and Communications has overall responsibility for communications cabinets (which are part of the ICN (Integrated Communications Network) and set the Standards to be followed.

The following outlines the standards that are enforced across the universities communication cabinets. It should be noted that these standards are gradually being implemented across the university and as such not all cabinets yet conform to these standards. Upgrading of cabinets to this standard is completed at the same time as the switches in cabinets are upgraded.

Standardised Colour Cabling

UTP cabling is gradually being standardised to the following colour scheme:

RED Uplinks (Crossover cables)

BLUE Local

YELLOW Campus Services (e.g. Cardax, BMS etc. May also be an uplink) or Analog Voice Links

GREEN Green UTP will only be used in cabinets that have switch infrastructure that is shared between two business areas. Where one area uses green cabling and one blue cabling. E.g., cabinets containing DOI IC Lab switches.

The use of green UTP is the decision of the business areas that use the switch hardware in the cabinet. DOI IC patches will typically be green.

Red and Yellow UTP cabling is only to be patched by Networks and Communications and approved contractors.

Blue UTP cabling may be patched by Litss.

Communication cabinets that have been upgraded to this standard will contain a sticker on the inside of the cabinet door. This colour coding has many advantages.

Patching

Patching changes are restricted to within the set of switch ports allocated to the relevant business area. Switch ports are not a limited resource, if your business area requires additional ports please contact Networks and Communications.

Un-patching and re-patching may only be undertaken by persons that have been approved by the business area responsible for the relevant patches and ports.

Any replacement or additional patch leads must be of the same colour allocated to the business area. i.e, blue, or, if a shared cabinet, blue and/or green. Networks and Communications supplies, at no additional charge, patch leads for communications cabinets.

Length of UTP Cabling

UTP cabling is to be between 1 to 2 metres within all communications cabinets. Longer length cabling leads to “rats nests” and difficulty in tracing patches. While short cabling leads to difficulties in installing and/or replacing equipment in a rack, as the short cables must be un-patched and re-patched, leading to outages.

DOI Networks and Communications supplies patch cables, for free, for all communications cabinets across campus.

Access to Communications Cabinets

Communications cabinets must remain locked at all times except when patching is being undertaken. The practice of leaving keys within communication cabinets doors is not allowed. An exception exists when communication cabinets are located within a secured location (i.e, server room, closet), and this location has restricted access and is locked, except when patching is being undertaken.

Note: All communication cabinets across campus are gradually having their physical security upgraded to meet these standards.

Cable Management

Communications cabinets that contain cable management, especially the upgraded cabinets containing “deep” cable management, must have the UTP cabling routed through the cable management.

DOI Networks and Communications can give advice and training on use of cable management within communications cabinets.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

Communications cabinets may contain a UPS that supplies power to switch infrastructure for the university.

The following points are to be applied to UPS equipment:

• UPS are for switch infrastructure only, no other equipment (without the express consent of Networks and Communications) may be plugged into a communications cabinet UPS. UPS loads are calculated per cabinet and the addition of more load can cause an unacceptable decrease in the capability of that UPS to provide up-time to the network.
• UPS are monitored over the network and typically patch into port ge.1.1 of the switch stack in a cabinet with yellow UTP cabling.

Rubbish & Construction Work

Rubbish, including plastic packaging, cable ties etc. are not to be left in communications cabinets.

Any construction work completed in a communications cabinet, i.e., core drilling, is to be cleaned up afterwards. This is particularly important in the cases where fine concrete dust has been left in communications cabinets. This dust easily gets into electronic equipment, reducing life expectancy and efficiency.

Networks and Communications, as the responsible entity for managing communications cabinets, will routinely audit cabinets for conformance to these Standards and, if required, will request LITSS to undertake any house keeping to restore cabinet condition and cable management to be within the Standard.