[comp.dcom.lans] Want patch panel, wiring suggestions

doug@dix.gps.caltech.edu (Doug Neuhauser) (04/01/89)

We are planning to install a new twisted pair wiring system in 3 buildings
at Caltech to support twisted-pair Ethernet, RS-232, and Appletalk
(Phonenet, really).  The rooms vary from single person to 4 person offices.
We are unable (for administrative reasons) to use any of the current phone
wiring, so we will have to install an entirely new system for our data needs.

The plan is to install (2) 4-pair wire, which will provide up to 4 2-pair
"circuits".  Each "circuit" can be connected to RS-232, Phonenet, or
tp-Ethernet.  I know that 4 wires is somewhat minimal for RS-232, but I
believe that we can live with this, and it makes the whole plan uniform.

The wiring will terminate in 66 blocks on each floor, and the actual active
circuits will be jumpered to connectorized 66 blocks that will run via 25
pair trunk wiring to a central building patch panel.  This patch panel will
then connect the circuit to either an RS-232 terminal server, tp-ethernet
hub, or active Phonenet hub.  Since most terminal server and tp-ethernet
hubs have RJ style connectors, I have been looking for RJ patchpanels.  I am
familiar with Modtap's patchpanels.  Does anyone have any knowledge or
recommendations for any other vendors's RJ or other style patch panels?

Since at least Modtap's panels are relatively expensive (in my estimation),
the plan is to jumper only those active circuits (of the possible 4 circuits
per office) to the vertical wiring and central patch panel.  This will
also allow me to jumper a direct circuit between any 2 rooms on the same
floor.  Any suggestions as to the wisdom of this move is welcome.

Please send mail directly to me, and I will summarize if there is any
interest.

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Douglas Neuhauser		|  Seismological Laboratory			|
|  				|  Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences|
|  doug@seismo.gps.caltech.edu	|  California Institute of Technology		|
|  818-356-3993			|  MS 252-21, Pasadena, CA  91125		|
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Douglas Neuhauser		|  Seismological Laboratory			|
|  				|  Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences|
|  doug@seismo.gps.caltech.edu	|  California Institute of Technology		|