Structured cabling system (SCS)
SCS (structured cabling system) is a single physical infrastructure of an office or building that unites all connection points: computers, phones, servers and network devices. It is built according to standardized rules and is designed for fast data transfer, ease of maintenance and scalability.
SCS (structured cabling system) is a single physical infrastructure of an office or building that unites all connection points: computers, phones, servers and network devices. It is built according to standardized rules and is designed for fast data transfer, ease of maintenance and scaling without completely replacing cables when the layout changes.
What is SCS
A structured cabling system (SCS) is a set of cables, patch panels and outlets that connects workstations with telecommunications rooms where switches and servers are installed. SCS is built on the basis of standards (TIA/EIA-568, GOST R and others) and has a strict hierarchy: work area → horizontal subsystem → backbone → equipment room. The main advantage of SCS is universality: the same infrastructure serves the computer network, telephony, video surveillance and access control systems. As a rule, twisted pair of categories 5e/6/6A and fiber optics for backbones between floors and buildings are used as the base.
What SCS consists of
The components of SCS form a complete system. Work area — RJ-45 outlets at workstations for connecting PCs, phones and peripherals. Horizontal subsystem — cables from outlets to the floor telecommunications cabinet. Patch field — patch panels and patch cords in the cabinet to which switches are connected. Backbone subsystem — cables between floors and buildings (usually fiber optics). Equipment room — a room with the network core, servers and power systems. Each line is labeled, documented and tested for compliance with category and speed.
Cable categories
The speed and capacity of SCS depend on the twisted pair category. Cat 5e — up to 1 Gbps, 100 MHz; basic for most offices. Cat 6 — up to 1–10 Gbps, 250 MHz; better for high loads. Cat 6A — up to 10 Gbps, 500 MHz; recommended for new networks and PoE+ support. Cat 7/7A — 600–1000 MHz for future applications. For backbones between buildings, fiber optics are used (single-mode — SM, multimode — MM). The choice of category affects the service life of the SCS, so design is aimed at 10–15 years of operation with a speed headroom.
SCS design and testing
A properly designed SCS lasts 10–15 years, so a reserve of ports and cable category for future speed increases is built into the design. After installation, each line is tested with a certifier and receives a passport with parameters confirming category compliance. Labeling of ports and cables, neat laying in organizers and documentation of connections simplify maintenance. Upgrades are performed by replacing active equipment without relaying cables.
Frequently asked questions
What is SCS and why is it needed?
SCS is a standardized cable infrastructure of a building that uniformly connects workstations with switches and servers. It is used for computer networks, telephony and security systems, simplifies maintenance and allows the network to be expanded without reworking the cable wiring.
What does a structured cabling system consist of?
SCS includes a work area (outlets), a horizontal subsystem (cables to the floor cabinet), a patch field (patch panels and patch cords), a backbone between floors and an equipment room with the network core. All lines are documented and tested.
How does SCS differ from ordinary cable laying?
Ordinary laying is done chaotically and for a specific task. SCS is built according to standards with a strict hierarchy and universal outlets: a computer, phone or camera can be connected to the same outlet. This simplifies network administration and scaling.
Which cable category should I choose?
For new offices, Cat 6A is recommended — up to 10 Gbps and PoE+ support. For typical tasks, Cat 5e/6 (up to 1–10 Gbps) is enough. Fiber optics are used between buildings and floors. The choice is made with a headroom of 10–15 years of network development.
What is included in SCS installation?
SCS installation includes design of the scheme, laying of cable routes and cables, installation of cabinets and patch panels, mounting of outlets at workstations, labeling and testing of each line for category compliance. At the end, the customer receives documentation and a system passport.
What is the backbone subsystem of SCS?
The backbone subsystem connects telecommunications rooms to each other and between buildings. It is built on fiber optic cables (SM/MM) and/or copper pairs and provides the network core channels connecting floor switches to the server room.
How much does SCS design and installation cost?
The cost depends on the area, the number of workstations and the cable category. The estimate includes cables, cabinets, patch panels, outlets and installation and testing work. An accurate assessment is given by the project after a site survey — contact a system integrator.
Can SCS be used for video surveillance?
Yes. Standard SCS outlets are used to connect IP cameras and Wi-Fi access points when PoE is supported by the switches. The universality of SCS allows LAN, telephony, video surveillance and ACS to be combined in one infrastructure.
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Structured cabling system (SCS)
SCS (structured cabling system) is a single physical infrastructure of an office or building that unites all connection points: computers, phones, servers and network devices. It is built according to standardized rules and is designed for fast data transfer, ease of maintenance and scalability.
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