TCS: Structuring the Network

Tata Consultancy Services needed a standard network cabling
system for its Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bangalore. The CoE houses
thirty-two offshore development centers (ODCs) and comprises a library,
conference rooms, performance laboratories, usability laboratories, and a
concept center for product display and simulation. The center focuses on the
development of financial products.

Challenges

The Bangalore-based CoE required a network management system and process
that was easy and efficient. The company also wanted to avoid the hassles in
troubleshooting that arose due to lack of proper documentation and labeling
which meant that when there arises a need to troubleshoot, the company's IT
team would be drilling holes across the facility to first identify the origin of
the problem before actually solving it.

TCS needed the best passive components for its CoE. It required
a cabling system with network speeds up to 1 Gb Ethernet for horizontal
connectivity, and 10 Gb Ethernet for backbone connectivity and its data center.

Solution

TCS zeroed in on a standard network cabling system and passive components from
ADC Krone that included Category 5 and 6 cabling, OM3 laser optimized fibre, KM8
Category 6 jacks, CopperTen, CopperTen jacks, patch panels, and patch cords. TCS
also opted for colored cabling components that helped its employees easily
identify cables for troubleshooting.

ADC Krone worked alongside CMC, a systems integrator and TCS'
subsidiary company. TCS opted for Category 5E cabling for voice connectivity and
Category 6 cabling for data connectivity. For horizontal data cabling ADC Krone's
KM8 Category 6 jack was used in conjunction with Cat6 cables and patch cords.
The desired result was to offer maximum benefit for data connectivity and
eliminate installation errors such as excess untwist of pairs, separation
between conductors etc, while providing consistent performance across the
network.

For its backbone connectivity, TCS selected OM3 laser optimized
fibre. This multimode fibre can handle 10 Gb Ethernet. For its data center-the
core of its network-TCS reserved ADC Krone's augmented Category 6 solution
'CopperTen'.

Since troubleshooting was the other concern, TCS wanted
different colored cables for quick identification. The vendor provided labeled
components and cables in different colors which made for easy identification of
the data, voice and redundant ports at each node as well as throughout the
facility. This allowed TCS' IT team to cite problems quickly and implement a
speedy solution.

Benefits

The most important benefit from the installation was the establishment of a
robust structured network cabling system. The need to recabling in future was
eliminated. Furthermore, the color-coded cables ensured efficient manageability
of the network infrastructure while complimenting the architecture of the
facility.

Source: ADC Krone