As the cabling industry continues to move full-speed-ahead, Fluke Networks (Everett, WA) has pulled into the fast lane. In July, the company, known for its network solutions such as cable testers, announced the release of several new products to enhance overall industry productivity.
The DSP-4100 Digital CableAnalyzer is an enhancement to Fluke's existing DSP series for both fiber-optic and copper cables. It features a removable memory card and a new version of Fluke Networks' Cable Manager Software, providing additional memory and reporting capabilities.
To add memory and provide data mobility, the DSP-4100's removable memory card will let users store both the complete set of measurement values and the summary numeric data. In addition, to make reporting more convenient, the card can be dropped off or mailed in.
Fluke Networks' Cable Manager Software, a Windows-based application, features all of the functions previously offered by the DSP-LINK program and is designed to save time and effort in the field by automatically identifying link names during certification testing. Similar to the other DSP series testers, the DSP-4100 deploys digital test technology for cable test applications.
"The DSP-4100 delivers on the promise that we first made when introducing the DSP-4000 Series," notes Tom Jordal, product manager for Fluke Networks Media Test Products. "We made a commitment to help customers offset the expense of replacing equipment in the face of fast-changing standards and installation requirements, thereby extending the value of their initial investment."
In helping to offset costs, DSP-4100 is equipped with a broad range of Category 6 link interface adapters, as well as an easy upgrade path from the DSP-4000 Digital CableAnalyzer.
But the DSP-4100 is not the only new offering from Fluke. Two fiber-tester installer packages have been developed to simplify the fiber-testing process. The FTI Basic and FTI Pro packages provide technicians with an all-in-one test-and-inspection tool. Both packages feature equipment that tests multimode fiber at 850- and 1300-nm wavelengths, a fiber inspection scope, the Fiber Optic Reference Guide, and all necessary test accessories.
What distinguishes a "basic" package and a "pro" package is the test kit. FTI Basic features the FTK100 Optical Fiber Test Kit, which is suitable for installations with fewer fiber links that do not require automated recording of test data. The more advanced FTI Pro includes the FTK200 Fiber Test Kit, which is better equipped for testing multiple fiber links and meeting the needs of installations that require documentation and report-generation capabilities. The FTI Pro is capable of storing up to 500 fiber tests and comes with the necessary software for uploading results to a personal computer.
The DSP-4100 is expected to be available on September 30; the FTI Basic and Pro have been available since July.
-Michelle Abrams
TrueNet C6T puts Krone on Cat 6 bandwagon
To meet growing industry demands, more and more companies are jumping on the Category 6 product bandwagon. Among the latest in the wave of product introductions is the TrueNet C6T proposed Category 6 structured cabling system from Krone Inc. (Arlington Heights, IL). The system is intended for any currently developed networking technology, specifically Gigabit Ethernet running on Category 5E or Category 6 cables.
TrueNet C6T is designed to provide high-quality signal transmission for Gigabit Ethernet without the digital signal processors required to operate over Category 5 cables. The result is that active equipment manufacturers have the ability to build next-generation, low-cost gigabit equipment without extra chips, according to Krone.
The complete end-to-end cabling system includes horizontal cable, patch cords, terminal blocks, jacks, and patch panels.
Active network specifications are positive amplitude between 0.95 and 1.05 V; negative amplitude between 0.95 and 1.05 V; amplitude symmetry between 0.98% and 1.02%; rise time between 3 and 5 nsec; and jitter between 0 and 1.4%.
TrueNet C6T supports numerous applications, including 10-, 100-, and 1000Base-T; 4- and 16-Mbit/sec Token Ring; and 25-, 155-, and 622-Mbit/sec Asynchronous Transfer Mode.
In addition to meeting proposed Category 6 requirements, TrueNet C6T cables and patch cords include Krone's TrueMatch throughput optimizing features for 100- and 1000Base-T. All aspects of the system come with Krone's zero-bit-error warranty that ensures the cabling system channel will not cause bit errors or rob systems of throughput.
-Michelle Abrams
Moves, Adds & Changes
Advance Fiber Optics (Salt Lake City) has opened operations in Provi-dence, RI, to provide East Coast customer support and data-conversion services for OSP InSight, Advance's network fiber-management software. Chris Alvanas, formerly of Cox Communica-tions, is the manager of Advance's first eastern operation.
Robert T. Smith has been named vice president of Carlson (Dallas), a mission-critical infrastructure provider. He will lead the delivery of application and network solutions for the telecommunications marketplace. Formerly of Andersen Consult-ing, Smith has more than 32 years of sales and technical-management experience. Larry Hinman has been appointed manager responsible for delivery of application and network solutions for the telecommunications marketplace. David Sturgis has been named project manager of telecommunication application and network-solutions implementation.
Graybar Electric Co. (St. Louis) has opened two additional branches to better serve customers in Gurnee, IL, and Racine, WI. Graybar has also announced the following organizational changes: Juanita Hinshaw, selected as senior vice president and chief financial officer and elected to the board of directors; Robert Reynolds, Jr., elected to succeed the retiring Richard Haney as senior vice president of electrical business; Dennis DeSousa, promoted to senior vice president of communications/data marketing.
Chuck Fortino, former senior sales representative for Communications Supply Corp., has been named southwest area manager at ITT Industries, Network Systems & Services (White Plains, NY), supplier of fiber-optic and copper-cabling infrastructures to support information-technology networks.
Encore Products Inc. (Chandler, AZ), a manufacturer of customized computer equipment enclosures, has launched a new Website at www.encoreusa.com. The new interactive site lets users view aesthetic options available for various enclosures and learn about the "build-your-own-enclosure" option.
Parsons Brinckerhoff (Aurora, CO), an engineering, planning, and construction management organization, has made several personnel changes within its subsidiaries: Rhett Caltrider, chief technology officer and director of technical support services at PB Telecommunications; David Cooksey, promoted to senior vice president of PB Network Services Inc.; and former area manager for PB Network Services, Brian Lawrence, named director of project operations at PB Telecommunications.
Andrew Corp. (Orland Park, IL), a communications systems equipment and services supplier, has promoted three directors to the position of vice president. Rolf Bergmann has been named to serve Europe, Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and C.I.S.; Jim McIlvain has been promoted to serve Asia Pacific and global original equipment manufacturer sales; and Donn Peterson will oversee wireless infrastructure sales for the United States and Canada.
Kevin McKenna has been selected as director of WASA Communications Systems Solutions, a new telecommunications consulting division of WASA (New York City). With more than 20 years of industry experience, McKenna will oversee the consulting and system design for innovative voice and data networks.
ADI (Melville, NY), wholesale distributor of security and low-voltage products, has promoted Joe Cappelletti to executive vice president and general manager. He joined ADI's parent company, Pittway Corp., in 1978 and helped form ADI in 1985.
A new production line will let Gitto/Global Corp. (Lunenburg, MA) expand annual production capacity by 15 million pounds. The new line is scheduled to be ready by year-end to meet the demand for Gitto/Global's flame-retardant polyolefin compounds.
Steve Baldo has been appointed general manager of the optical-fiber components group, Electronic Components Div., of Seiko Instruments USA Inc. (Torrance, CA). Baldo's responsibilities include the sales, marketing, and distribution of all optical-fiber components. He is also responsible for the new cable-production facility.
David Stowe has joined FONS Corp. (Northboro, MA) as vice president of research and development. Formerly of Thomas & Betts, Stowe brings more than 23 years' research and development experience to FONS, a designer and manufacturer of connectivity products.
Active testing results in 20/20 Vision
For the past several years, the Siemon Co. (Watertown, CT) has offered three high-end cabling systems, providing users with a 20-year guarantee on each. But now the company has taken these existing systems a step further by pairing with one of their cable allies, CommScope (Claremont, NC), to produce Vision.
The Siemon Co. and CommScope, through a joint engineering agreement, have performed active testing on the existing System 5E, Premium 5E (Ultralink), and System 6 offerings. The two companies are actively testing these three cabling systems for throughput under adverse equipment- and environmental-operating conditions such as temperature fluctuations.
The result of this testing is Vision-a supplement to the existing systems in the form of added tests and assurances. For example, a System 6 Vision cabling system is CommScope cable with Siemon connecting hardware that has been actively tested and developed for optimum network efficiency with fewer data-transmission errors.
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
This column covers various industry-related topics. To submit a news item, contact Group Editorial Director
Arlyn S. Powell, Jr.
Tel: (603) 891-9215,
fax: (603) 891-0587, or e-mail: [email protected].