continue to push user demand for faster network connections like 100 Megabit Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. The necessity for improved structured cabling systems able to perform up to the requirements of these high-speed connections has become more important than ever before. Integral to the success of improving the performance of structured cabling systems is the precise and effi- cient management of individual conductor pairs at all cable termination points. The engineers at KRONE™ recognized this new demand early and set out to create a system for managing the way individual conductor pairs in the cable are terminated at various points along the entire length of a structured cabling system. Historically, one of the most popular issues regarding cable management within local area network com- munities, is how well cables and patch cords are managed at the rack or cable tray. Even though conductor management, as a part of overall cable management, has been given increased attention in recent years, the strength and quality of individual conductor terminations is an important factor that requires closer consideration as Cat 6 and Gigabit Ethernet systems become increasingly popular. When it comes to the components within a structured cable system, managing the quality of the terminations has relied heavily on individual installer technique and work practices, rather than the attributes of the components themselves. The need for more carefully controlled terminations has not existed for currently ratified Cat 5 or Cat 5e installation standards. More often then not, differ- ences in installation techniques and work practices resulted in differing degrees of performance variation. Existing installation and testing standards provide sufficient headroom, which ensures an adequate buffer for various performance anomalies that nullify installation errors. But when the new Cat 6 installa- tion standards from TIA/EIA are finalized, it will be paramount that the structured cabling system of any high-speed network is capable of minimizing or eliminating inconsistent installation methods that cause costly performance variations. Taking the guesswork out of Cat 6 installation. Because of the challenging standards that are pro- posed for Cat 6 performance, several issues come to light from a manufacturing and installation prospective. The installer will no longer have a sufficient buffer to allow for the expedient installation of traditional types of connectors. More stringent requirements for link and channel testing mean more time has to be taken when punching down traditional RJ45 type jacks. This coupled with the need to revisit terminations when failures occur makes for tedious and frustrating installations that cost time and money. KRONE has developed an advanced conductor management system that is incorporated into the company’s new TrueNet™ Category 6 products including the new KM8 Jack and Category 6 Patch Cord. Not only is the new conductor management system in these innovative products important for Cable Management at the Conductor Level NETWORK DATA TRANSFER RRAATTEESS decreasing installation time and testing, but also for ensuring that a high level of repeatability, reliability, interoperability and backward compatibility is achieved. The advanced technology of KRONE’s conductor management system provides further assurances to installers, end-users and distributors. The installer knows that KRONE™ products can be installed easily and efficiently the first time and do not need to be revisited. The end-user knows KRONE products will work to the level of performance equal to that of the investment made. And the distributors know, that by supplying both of the above, they are capable of making all parties involved happy and productive. KRONE™ meets the challenge. With its experience, knowledge and global research capabilities, KRONE has again introduced products with cutting edge technology that have revolutionized the cable and connector industry. The company’s TrueNet™ Category 6 series of products not only meet, but routinely exceed all of the current require- ments of TIA/EIA568 B.2-1 Draft 10 for Cat 6. No longer do installers need to be concerned about how well each and every termination will perform during post installation tests, because the connec- tors themselves significantly reduce installation variation as a factor of network performance. For example, when a standard RJ45 jack is terminated, a variation of around 3 to 4dB of NEXT headroom can occur from jack to jack. While the typical product utilized in a Cat 5e system would accommodate such a variation, the much stricter TIA/EIA standards for Cat 6 simply don't allow for such disparity in NEXT levels and thus a variation of 3dB would likely create subsequent test failures. Introduction of an advanced conductor management system into the KRONE KM8 Jack has eliminated approximately 66% of the potential variation. Multiple terminations of the same KM8 Jack now only vary by 1dB of NEXT headroom, as a component. This provides a more consistent result when testing links and channels. Eliminating installation errors. Here’s how standard punch down type jacks affects network performance: 1. When standard jacks are terminated, the conductors can be laid into the product several ways (Figure 1-a). 2. The amount of untwist for each pair is dependent upon installation technique (Figure 1-b). 3. When the conductor is terminated into the IDC slot a certain amount of buckling occurs (Figure 1-c). 4. Pair relationship is not controlled. Here’s how conductor management in the KM8 jack works: 1. The cable always exits the back of the jack from the same point. This ensures uniform termination and conductor dressing (Figure 2). Figure 1 a. b. c. Figure 2 2. Untwist is addressed to within one half of a twist. Because the cable is pulled into the manager, twist is maintained all the way up to the IDC turret. This ensures the impedance of the termination will remain as close to the cable impedance level as possible (Figure 3). 3. The conductors aren’t terminated using an inser- tion/punch down type tool and are pulled tighter, eliminating instances of conductor buckling (Figure 4). 4. Pair relationship is completely controlled, for all combinations, by the advanced technology of the conductor management piece. Terminations are now repeatable and always reliable (Figure 5). Patch cords no longer a weak link. KRONE’s new conductor management system doesn’t stop with "in the field" terminations of the KM8 Jack. Management of all conductor pairs is equally important on the plug side of the termination. Management of conductors on both sides of a patch cord is essential for maintaining a high level of network performance in the Cat 6 environment. It is important to remember that when a cable is terminated on both sides, one side becomes a mirror image of the opposing side (Figure 6). For this reason it is important to manage the individual cable pairs to eliminate instances of pair crossing at the termination point. The advanced technology plug used on the new TrueNet Cat 6 Patch Cord has two different conductor management pieces, which compensate for the natural lay of the individual cable pairs, (Figure 7). This ensures that a consistent level of headroom and throughput are maintained at both ends of the patch cord. Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Both of the man- agement pieces are laying contact side up. The blue pair in the blue management piece is managed through to pins 4 and 5. The green pair in the white management piece is managed through to pins 3 and 6. Figure 7 Conclusion. Previous TIA/EIA standards for Cat 5 and Cat 5e installation and testing were flexible enough to compensate for errors in network performance and throughput due to installation errors and variations. But now as the demand and necessity for Gigabit Ethernet and future high-bandwidth technology increases, these installation errors and variations are no longer an acceptable part of the network performance equation. The new demands placed on a structured cabling system, by these higher speed connections requires a conductor management system that is capable of sustaining a superior level of network throughput and performance. KRONE™ has not only identified this challenge, but has developed a conductor management system that is unrivaled in the industry. The end result of KRONE’s revolutionary design is well-controlled terminations throughout the entire structured cabling system that not only meet but also exceed Category 6 standards. Greater control of both the plug and jack terminations through KRONE’s system now ensure complete component compliance, repeatability, interoperability and backward compatibility after installation. Installers, distributors and end-users now have the peace of mind that installations will be done correctly the first time, every time. Not only do the significant reductions of installation and testing times produce a cost effective end-to-end solution, but network administrators can automatically elimi- nate their structured cabling system as the source of bit-error rates and/or a decrease in throughput levels. This boost in transmission performance will allow end-users to increase overall productivity while at the same time reducing the level of frustration, as well as the amount of lost time and money associated with slow network transmissions. . new conductor management system in these innovative products important for Cable Management at the Conductor Level NETWORK DATA TRANSFER RRAATTEESS decreasing. regarding cable management within local area network com- munities, is how well cables and patch cords are managed at the rack or cable tray. Even though conductor