The physical linkages responsible for carrying a company's data continue to be the most neglected components of the typical network—to the extent that nearly 70% of all network-related problems result from poor cabling. In this third edition of a widely acclaimed resource, three networking experts share their extensive experience, teaching you the cabling skills you need to build a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective network cabling infrastructure. As you master these techniques, you'll learn to avoid common pitfalls and troubleshoot problems as quickly as they arise. Coverage includes:

Choosing the right cables and components for your network architecture and topology

Avoiding unnecessary and unexpected costs

Understanding the current limitations of data communications and network cabling

Understanding how laws and building codes constrain cabling

Understanding the function and importance of universal cabling standards

Determining when you have a cabling-related network problem

Assembling a complete cabling toolkit

Integrating voice and data on the same cable system

Setting up an infrastructure in which desktops, printers, copiers, and other nodes share cabling

Understanding issues of bandwidth, impedance, resistance, attenuation, crosstalk, capacitance, propagation, delay, and delay skew

Working effectively with USB and Firewire

Knowing when to discard legacy cabling and begin anew

Documenting your cabling

Creating an RFP and selecting a vendor