Viable Options for Data Center Solutions

Overview

This document is a historical vendor presentation prepared by Ning Liu of Panduit and hosted by Cisco. In this record its function is to illustrate the TIA-942 logical cabling hierarchy. Only the naming and the diagram are used; historical tier claims and performance figures are not applied. The document should therefore be treated as a source of concepts and names, not as current evidence of TIA conformity.

In the logical layout described, access providers enter an entrance room (ER). Backbone links connect the main distribution area (MDA) and the horizontal distribution area (HDA). Horizontal links then reach equipment distribution areas (EDA) containing racks. Backbone and horizontal cabling therefore sit separately between the appropriate levels. This hierarchy provides a shared language for naming areas inside a data centre by function.

The only finding taken from the document is the diagram on PDF pages 10-11, 'TIA-942 Data Center Logical Layout and Major Elements'. The diagram distinguishes an entrance room, main distribution area, horizontal distribution area and rack-based equipment distribution area, with backbone and horizontal cabling between them. Beyond this the record contains no numerical finding, sizing rule or performance data. This limited scope shows that the document is used only for naming.

The limits of scope are clear: geometry, port quantities, carrier separation and room sizing require project inputs and cannot be derived from this source. The related standard is ANSI/TIA-942, and the document should not be treated as a substitute for it. For a designer its value is a practical reminder to use the area roles (ER, MDA, HDA, EDA) consistently in physical planning and to distinguish backbone from horizontal cabling.

Key points

1. The logical layout distinguishes an entrance room, main distribution area, horizontal distribution area and rack-based equipment distribution area.
2. Access providers enter the entrance room.
3. Backbone links connect the main and horizontal distribution areas.
4. Horizontal links reach equipment distribution areas containing racks.
5. The diagram is on PDF pages 10-11 of the document.
6. Only naming and the diagram are used; historical tier claims and performance figures are not applied.
7. The related standard is ANSI/TIA-942.
8. The document is not current TIA conformity evidence.

Using it in design

• Use ER, MDA, HDA and EDA as physical planning roles and distinguish backbone from horizontal cabling.
• Treat MMR as a project-facing meet-me-room designation.
• Require project inputs for geometry, port quantities, carrier separation and room sizing.
• Do not cite this source as current TIA conformity evidence; refer to ANSI/TIA-942 itself for conformity.

Who should read it

Designers and CAD users planning data centre spaces and the structured cabling hierarchy.

Related standards

• ANSI/TIA-942

Publication details

Authors

Ning Liu

Publisher

Panduit (Ning Liu), hosted by Cisco

Year

Year not stated

Document language

English

Source type

Manufacturer

Access

Free to read

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation