Wiring Distributions

A Demarcation point is the line that marks the boundary between you and your internet service provider. When you purchase their services, they install everything from their end up until the Demarc is their responsibility to maintain and fix, while everything after the Demarc would be your responsibility to fix. 

• It is usually marked by an orange plastic cover and usually located on the bottom

• Could be a box on a wall with an RJ45 connection, a fiber optic connection, a 50-pin RJ21 connector, or a port on a network interface device.

An MDF is a frame or rack used to connect and manage wiring in a building. 

• Usually located on the first floor of a building

• Demarc points are usually near the MDF

An IDF is a smaller wiring frame within a building, usually located on upper floors from an MDF, above it. So, if the MDF is on floor 1, floors 2-5 will have IDFs that are located directly above the MDF in order to provide wires from the MDF to other floors, requiring vertical wiring.

Punch down blocks are used to route wires from your switch to wherever it needs to go in your building. You would then label on the punchdown block where these wires are going. I.E: Room B303.

Develop a naming convention and use it to label cables, wall jacks, patch panel ports, network devices, and racks.

Record names in tables and diagrams.

Include location, installation dates, cable lengths, and cable grades.

Consider using documentation software. Perform an internet search for cable plant documentation software or cable management software to view available options.