Is Your Network Ready for 5G Wireless?

With a steady stream of television commercials, roadside billboards, and digital banner ads to remind us, the first wave of the fifth generation (5G) of wireless networks is already here. But while consumers anxiously await the official carrier rollouts that will boost bandwidth, speed downloads, and drive the next evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT), industrial automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). Those working behind the scenes to bring 5G to the masses have a completely different set of challenges to overcome. Preparing for the Launch of 5G Wireless Networks Companies such as Cisco and other industry leaders anticipate that large-scale deployments of 5G infrastructure will begin in just a few short months. When this happens, mobile carriers will need the innovative speed, low latency, and dynamic provisioning capabilities that a 5G network is expected to deliver to address not only the increasing subscriber demands but also new service trends across mobile, residential, and business markets. In fact, Cisco forecasts that while 5G will account for 1.5 percent of total mobile data traffic by 2021, it will also generate 4.7 times more traffic than the average 4G connection, and 10.7 times more traffic than the average 3G connection. With so much data, there’s much more to consider when it comes to readying your network to handle the influx. Whether you are expanding your broadband network into new neighborhoods or placing new radios to create the 5G wireless cellular network, you’ll need to protect electronic equipment in outdoor environments. Thankfully, enclosures offer a way to create a small, secure equipment space wherever it is needed. Furthermore, governing bodies like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have now published standards to define products, processes, and procedures that are environmentally rated, such as NEMA Type 4 or IP 66 industrial enclosures that protect equipment in process environments and wet spaces. How 5G Will Impact Your Network And as wireless cellular providers create a more robust 5G network, there will undoubtedly be network densification of small cell sites and upgrades to in-building systems that will also need dedicated and available space for new networking equipment. Add it all up and you get the perfect recipe for why Chatsworth Products (CPI) and WESCO recently teamed up to deliver the on-demand and BICSI-accredited webinar presentation “5G Has Arrived. Is Your Network Ready?” Newly updated with the latest carrier information and insights available via download including what 5G means for the proliferation of cell towers needed to keep major metropolitan areas connected. In the one-hour presentation CPI Product Applications Specialist Tom Cabral discusses a wide variety of best practices you can start implementing today to make sure your network and infrastructure is prepared to handle the 5G boom. The presentation is available free for on-demand viewing. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn one BICSI continuing education credit (CEC) upon completion. The opinions expressed in this piece are solely Chatsworth Products’. They do not necessarily represent WESCO’s views.   

Protecting Network Equipment in the Age of the Internet of Things

High throughput, low latency, network availability, reliability, and security have always been top priorities in data centers. But the recent wave of technological advances — autonomous cars, augmented reality, 5G, and all the other connected objects of the Internet of Things (IoT) — are taking those priorities to a new level and bringing new challenges to IT system administrators and data center managers. In order to successfully host and deliver services on a global scale while ensuring real-time data to the end user, data centers are having to spread their networks to the edge, and closer to the devices where that data is processed. These edge locations can be anywhere from warehouses, oil fields and mines, commercial areas, roadsides, and manufacturing floors — a big difference from the environmentally controlled data center environment IT system administrators are used to. In fact, IT system administrators, as well as BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designers, are having to specify equipment for nontraditional spaces, which requires learning about special industrial enclosures, cooling systems, and cable entry methods that protect equipment from exposure to dust and liquid. Selecting an Enclosure to Protect Equipment From Dust and Liquid Extending the network into nontraditional spaces requires the components and equipment to be rated for use in areas that are dusty and dirty, possibly wet, and may experience wide temperature variations. The enclosure housing cable and network switches should be the first consideration, as it provides the primary protection for equipment. Unlike standard data center cabinets, industrial enclosures are completely sealed when closed. Enclosure Types of Protection Fortunately, there are standards that define degrees of environmental protection by enclosures to simplify selection. Enclosure classifications are organized around use. There are enclosures designed for hazardous and nonhazardous locations and indoor and outdoor use. Another type of enclosures is created with corrosion protection. These are typically used for chemical and food processing or other hazardous locations including oil fields, mines, grain elevators, munitions storage – anywhere that a spark could cause combustion or explosion. For these areas, you should seek an electrician or electrical engineer to aid with specifications. Electrical code are very specific for these locations and the enclosure should be highly defined. Nonhazardous locations include warehouses, factory floors, noncombustible processing areas, and outdoors.  There are 16 options for protection ratings in these locations, but it’s possible to satisfy most requirements with only three. The Only Three Enclosures You Really Need The following three enclosures cover the majority of nonhazardous environmental requirements and can be field-adapted with drains, vents, fans or air conditioners as required. Table 5: Comparison of three most common enclosure ratings for nonhazardous locations used in IIoT digitization. Typical Application Indoor or Outdoor Use Protection Against Solids Protection Against Liquids Corrosion Protection Minimum Enclosure Rating Manufacturing floor, warehouse Indoor Dust Tight Dripping liquid or Light Spray No IP54 NEMA Type 12 Utility distribution, network distribution Indoor and Outdoor Dust Tight Heavy Spray, Rain, Snow, Sleet* No IP66 NEMA Type 4 Food** and chemical processing, salt water Indoor and Outdoor Dust Tight Heavy Spray, Rain, Snow, Sleet* Yes** NEMA Type 4X Note: *NEMA Type 4 and NEMA Type 4X enclosures are rated for use in sleet, but if external mechanisms need to be operable when the enclosure is ice covered, a NEMA Type 3S or 3SX design or a special hinge design may be required. **Food processing generally requires a stainless steel enclosure with a removable seat for sanitizing. There are different enclosure Types (ratings) used in hazardous locations around flammable dust and chemicals, such as mines, refineries, mills and aboard ships. ***IP66 provides similar protection to NEMA Type 4X, but IP Codes do not address corrrosion protection. Selecting an Enclosure In addition to protection rating, it’s important to define the type of enclosure, the equipment mounting system, cooling method, and cable entry method. There are four basic types of enclosures: Modular enclosures are a frame with bolt-on panel work. They can be used in multi-enclosure bays and kitted with any combination of doors and side panels. Free-standing enclosures are simpler designs, formed as single monolithic enclosures in specific sizes used as standalone enclosures. They can have both front and rear doors. Floor-mount enclosures are a basic box with a single or front and rear door. They feature floor stands, adding clearance and easier cable access. Wall-mount enclosures create a space on walls or columns when there is no floor space for equipment. There are two types of equipment mounting systems in these enclosures: 19”EIA mounting rails for rack-mounted IT equipment, or panels for automation electronics and electrical controls. To address thermal concerns, you can add filter fans, air conditioners, vents and drains. For cable entry points, there are special grommets available in the market that completely maintain a seal around cables. As an alternative, if you only have one cable to pass into the enclosure, a basic gasket seal (i.e. one cable, one opening) will work. All accessories should also have protection ratings and be installed so they maintain the seal in order to protect equipment properly. Other important considerations include: NEMA-rated cooling units and fans to provide proper cooling to equipment NEMA-rated cable entry grommets that completely seal around cables Remote power management at the device level to reduce the need to open the enclosure on a regular basis Embracing the Uniqueness of Every Deployment As a final consideration, it’s important to know that no deployment at the edge is the same. To increase your competitive advantage and simplify deployment, look for industrial enclosure vendors that can provide the following benefits, at minimum: Product customization, selection, and on-demand ordering under one part number Robotically applied sealing foam UL 508A listing Products that arrive ready with accessories for equipment integration Preparing for an IoT World Just recently, market intelligence firm Gartner published its Strategic Planning Assumption Research, stating IoT technology will be in 95 percent of electronics for new product designs by 2020. Digitalization is affecting every workplace, and many businesses are — or will have to — extend the network into nontraditional spaces. In order to succeed, equipment enclosures that are fully sealed have taken the front seat. The opinions expressed in this piece are solely Chatsworth Products’. They do not necessarily represent WESCO’s views.  Featured Products  

A Holistic Approach for an Efficient Data Center

Today, the demand for data is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Speed, capacity, and capability requirements have expanded exponentially and data centers must respond to meet these needs. From retrofits and cabinet ecosystem reconfigurations, to upgrades and new facility construction, data center operators need to consider a wide array of issues to meet or exceed data center objectives. In an interconnected world where organizations combine enterprise-owned and cloud-based services, managing assets and white space remotely has become increasingly important. A holistic, cabinet-centric approach to the data center simplifies operations, costs and labor, as well as future expansion.  All of this results in an optimized data center environment that meets the high efficiency standards of today and tomorrow. Availability, Efficiency, and Scalability A cabinet ecosystem is the foundation of a successful data center strategy. This cabinet-centric approach provides equipment support, airflow management, cable management, intelligent power distribution, environmental monitoring, physical security and system optimization, allowing you to fully utilize each square foot of space. This can provide both a near-term payback and long-term capacity to grow. Upgrade and Retrofit: Aisle-Level Containment Aisle-level containment strategies increase efficiency and scalability in both Brownfield and Greenfield applications when cabinet-level isolation is untenable. You should consider aisle containment solutions with built-in flexibility and high-quality engineering. The best aisle containment solutions easily adapt to challenges such as limited ceiling height and complex overhead pathways. Understanding Data Center Environments and Key Concepts To create the most efficient data center for your needs, it’s important to consider which type of environment is best suited for the task at hand. In addition, understanding key concepts and identifying your main objectives in advance will also help optimize data center performance. To start, explore the different data center environments to determine the best fit for your project. There are many different types of data centers, each with important areas of focus, including: • Enterprise An integrated enterprise data center solution makes overall deployment and ongoing management simple and economical. Thermal management solutions can greatly reduce cooling costs. Automated monitoring paired with a Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solution will help assist in asset monitoring and ensure capacity optimization. Cabinet-level electronic access control solutions can prevent unauthorized physical access and provide administrators with an audit trail of all cabinet access for regulatory compliance. • Colocation/Multi-tenant Data Centers (MTDC) Colocation data center solutions options should support continuous uptime and provide remote monitoring, asset management, security and leverage the ability to trend power capacity over time to help forecast power consumption more accurately. Further, colocation data centers often provide access to power charge-back reporting to closely control power consumption expenses. • Cloud/Hyperscale Cloud data center solutions provide a single, customizable cabinet solution that arrives ready for equipment installation. This allows for rapid growth and network expansion. Customization capabilities also allow unique configurations to match specific needs. • Edge As connectivity evolves to support the Internet of Things (IoT), companies face new challenges with their IT networks extending into manufacturing floors, warehouses and other nontraditional environments. For cleaner environments, wall-mounted enclosures can be used to store equipment throughout the office. For dirty or wet environments, NEMA-rated industrial enclosures and accessories such as cooling units and sealing grommets provide additional protection. Next, consider the following key concepts, and use them to optimize data center performance and meet your identified objectives: • Support Equipment Secure and protect critical equipment in high-density environments. • Airflow Control Reduce cooling costs and manage extreme heat with passive cooling technology. • Cable Management Cabinets that include specific and physically separate pathways for power and network cables as well as mounting locations for power distribution units (PDUs) help ensure network integrity with minimal airflow interference. • Power Management Intelligent PDUs monitor and control power down to the individual device, as well as provide outlet-level monitoring and switching. • PDUs Under a Single IP Connection Reduce network costs by managing multiple PDUs using a single IP connection. • Environment Monitoring Environmental sensors and probes help ensure equipment is protected from critical environmental conditions. • Equipment Security Electronic access control solutions help protect critical equipment, data and personnel. • System Optimization Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software enables visualization and trend analysis of all activities in a data center space. • Simplify Operations PDUs and accessories may be preinstalled into the cabinet for fast, simple ordering and deployment from a single vendor, making operations more efficient. A Comprehensive Data Center Solution As illustrated in this article, there are many factors to consider when designing a Brownfield or Greenfield data center solution. By working with a leading data center solutions partner, you can be sure your specific needs are addressed. This could mean the difference between a poor-performing or mediocre data center and a comprehensive solution that exceeds expectations. The opinions expressed in this piece are solely Chatsworth Products’. They do not necessarily represent WESCO’s views. 

Specifying Equipment Racks in Active Seismic Areas

Have you ever wondered, “Do I really need a special equipment rack in a seismically active area?” The short answer is “Yes.” Using a rack or cabinet designed for seismic applications may be more costly, but will give you the highest load-bearing capacity in your designated floor space. The Benefits of Seismic Racks One of the main purposes of an equipment rack is to store a large amount of equipment while using a relatively small amount of floor space. Essentially, it lets you stack equipment vertically. The EIA-310 standard is universally adopted, so you can easily designate a number of vertical rack-mount spaces (U) for equipment. What changes from rack to rack and by manufacturer is the rated load capacity, or the amount of weight each rack can safely hold. To allow for future expansion, seek a solution with the highest load per rack, even if you do not immediately need it. This maximizes load per U, allowing for the best value from the designated floor space and rack. Typically, manufacturers only publish the static equipment load of their racks (or cabinets) in product specifications. The range is between 1,500 to 3,500 pounds per rack, depending on the rack type. However, it is important to remember that the static equipment load provides the value for “non-seismic” equipment load. This is how much the rack can safely hold when still and does not consider the effects of vibration on the rack. Seismic equipment load must be calculated separately based on code requirements. What Makes Seismic Racks Different? The seismic equipment load of a rack will be less than its static equipment load unless the rack is specifically designed for seismic applications. Racks designed for seismic applications have heavily-braced frames that resist side-to-side, front-back and up-down movement. Most manufacturers load-test these racks on shaker test tables that simulate seismic events to demonstrate rack performance, and verify their load claim. A motion limit must be maintained throughout the test and the rack has to survive the test with no structural damage. The International Code Council (ICC), which publishes the International Building Code (IBC), the model code in the United States, publishes seismic test procedure ICC ES AC-156. Several standard shaker tests are available. Traditionally, rack manufacturers used the Telcordia Technologies GR-63-CORE, Section 4.4 test for rack and rack-mount equipment.  Choosing the Right Rack Which rack or cabinet should you use? The building code requires that a licensed structural engineer design the components, supports and attachments for nonstructural building components such as equipment racks. That means an engineer defines the exact installation hardware, placement and materials that attach the rack to the floor and, if necessary, how it will be braced overhead. The design includes a calculation to determine the seismic load. With this design, you can use any rack in a seismic area. However, the penalty may be a greatly reduced equipment load if you do not select a rack specifically designed for seismic applications. Racks designed for seismic applications are more expensive than non-seismic racks, but generally have higher load ratings and can be filled with equipment. Non-seismic racks may require multiple racks to support the same amount of equipment. Special Considerations for California For design guidance, consider the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development’s (OSHPD) “Preapproval of Manufacture’s Certification” (OPM) program. In the state of California, OSHPD has permitting and inspection authority over all heathcare facilities. California adopts the model building code with additions that increase seismic requirements. To speed the design process for common building components, OSHPD created the voluntary OPM program. OPM allows manufacturers to engage an engineering firm to develop a standard anchorage recommendation for their product. Once reviewed and approved by OSHPD, the recommendation is posted to the OSHPD website and can be referenced for use in any OSHPD-permitted project. It speeds the permitting process and plan review while providing general guidance on installation practice for common building components. The Best Option for Your Facility OPM defines the product and installation practices that meet the most stringent requirements of the model code. If you are in the market for a seismic rack for your facility, use OSHPD's OPM to short list a few of your favorite racks. Then, compare the details to find the highest seismic load. For permitting approvals outside of California, you will need a local engineer to make the recommendation, but he or she should be able to adopt the OPM. Recommended Categories

Supporting All-The-Time Learning With IT Infrastructure Solutions

With technology expanding at such a fast rate, the world of education has been working hard to integrate it into classrooms. Many schools have incorporated smart boards, mobile devices, and online lesson plans into their teaching programs. To support digital learning and supply internet connectivity in the classroom, an increasing amount of equipment is required to properly store and protect hardware, networks, and infrastructure throughout campus. Here are the industry standards and cutting-edge products that are making it financially advantageous to prepare schools for the digital age. Network Standards for K-12 Educational Institutions Educational facilities have specialized networking requirements that exceed standard commercial buildings. ANSI/BICSI 001-2009 Information Transport System Design Standard for K-12 Educational Institutions provides information that cuts across multidisciplinary design efforts, creating savings in building construction and renovation, as well as in the planning of future growth and changes. BICSI 001 is beneficial to K-12 facility owners and operators, architects, engineers, IT consultants, project managers and any other entity involved in the design, installation or maintenance of technology systems in educational facilities. K-12 educational facilities vary in size and function, so it is important to keep in mind all typical and possible ITS/ITC connections. These include, but are not limited to: Telephones Wired/wireless networks Security system/video surveillance Audio/video connections Intercom/paging systems Intelligent building management systems Listed below are a few basic IT storage solutions based on BICSI 001. Space-Saving Solutions The primary challenges in organizing, storing and powering network equipment are space and budget. Although technology is advancing at a fast rate, many schools still have considerable limitations in those key areas. To accommodate extra equipment and infrastructure, educational facilities typically have a few dedicated closets in remote locations. If even more additional space is required to deploy and connect new equipment, there are some space-saving solutions. 1. Wall-Mount Enclosures Wall-mount enclosures create accessible locations for equipment where space is limited or simply does not exist. The enclosures are available in both open and closed solution designs for cables and equipment. Using the enclosures, equipment can be stored and secured on the wall inside or outside of classrooms, in hallways or equipment rooms, and can be used to connect remote groups of users to the same network.  2. Ceiling Enclosures Zone and wireless enclosures can be used above a typical drop ceiling. The ceiling enclosures replace a single 2-by-2-foot or 2-by-4-foot drop ceiling tile and have a door that provides easy access to the equipment above. By dividing the workspace into zones and pre-wiring each to a zone enclosure, it becomes easier to change connections in the future. Only the cables between the zone enclosure and the individual workspaces are moved, added or changed, eliminating disruption in other zones. 3. Cable Management For new construction in designated equipment rooms, traditional racks, vertical cable managers and overhead cable runway (ladder rack) are the best choice. Schools, much like healthcare facilities, have a wider range of cable media and generally a denser cable plant than typical commercial office space. The newest cable management and pathway products include features that allow better management and support of cables, including ways to bundle and arrange cables — and to position cable radius drops exactly where they must be to align pathways and managers. This allows a single pathway to support multiple cable media and adapt to future changes. 4. Power Schools may not have an on-site IT specialist. Intelligent power distribution units (PDUs) provide a way to remotely monitor and control power to networking equipment. PDUs may also monitor environmental conditions surrounding the equipment. Horizontal monitored or switched PDUs should be used to power and monitor equipment within enclosures. Selecting a Project Partner To save time and money on installation costs, IT experts should select a power provider that preinstalls PDUs into enclosures. In addition to cost and energy savings, this fast-tracks design projects. This is critical in the ever-growing and ever-changing education industry. In addition to preinstallation, providers who offer tools and resources, such as onsite evaluation and customization capabilities, can help keep projects under budget and within the determined deadlines. They can also help with adaptations for future growth. Overall, these solutions help connect every room within a school from classrooms and offices, to auditoriums and gymnasiums. With the right solution from the right provider, preparing a school for the digital age can become a financially sound reality. Recommended Categories