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