The intra-building backbone connects the building’s main cross-connect to each of the other cross-connects. A fiber optic intra-building backbone has become the medium of choice due to its ability to support multiple high-speed networks on a smaller cable without crosstalk issues.
In addition, more and more users are using fiber to support voice and private branch exchange (PBX) applications by placing small remote PBX racks within cross-connects supported by the building’s internal backbone.
A fiber optic LAN backbone includes the following main parts.
1. Grommet
Cable routes are shafts, ducts, raceways, and floor penetrations that provide routing space for fiber optic cables.
2. RE
REs are areas where telecommunications systems are housed and connect to the telecommunications cabling system.
3. TR
TRs are the areas or locations that contain telecommunications equipment to connect horizontal cabling to backbone cabling systems.
4. Ease of entry of telecommunications service
This is an area or location where outside plant cables enter a building
5. Transmission media
The transmission media are the actual cables. They can be optical fibers, twisted pair copper cable, or even copper coaxial cable.
Connection hardware for transmission media includes connection blocks, patch panels, interconnects, and cross-connects.
6.Other facilities
Other installations include cable support hardware, firewalls, grounding hardware, and other protection and security hardware.
The design of the intrabuilding backbone network is usually simple; however, there are several options. A single hierarchical star design between the building cross-connect and the horizontal cross-connect is strongly recommended.
The only possible exception is for very large buildings, such as high-rise buildings, where a two-level hierarchical star may be needed.
