USDA Wiring and Cabling Requirements v 2.3.pdf

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Wiring & Cabling Guidelines for Offices Version 2.3

Introduction Recent updates to two Department Regulations (DRs), DR 3300-001-G and 3300-001-K, supersede the outdated guidance in DR 3902-001, “Service Center Technology Modernization Project (SCTMP) Wiring/Cabling Specifications for Service Center Agencies’ (SCA) Computer Rooms.” As a result, 3902-001 has been canceled and should no longer be used. Though it is canceled, it did have some information that was still useful and applicable. Therefore, the Office of the Chief Information Officer’s Client Experience Center (OCIO-CEC) has taken that information and documented it in these guidelines to help supplement the references below.

References

• DR 3300-001-G, “Sharing of Telecommunications Resources”

• DR 3300-001-K, “Installation of Telecommunications Cables in Federal Buildings”

• Departmental Manual (DM) 3510-001, “Physical Security Standards for Information Technology (IT) Restricted Space”

• “CEC Space and ADP Room Guidelines” Available from the OCIO-CEC-Business Services Division (BSD)

• Technical Support Division (TSD) Site Moves Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Scope It is expected that with End User Consolidation (EUC) and the award of the new Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract, there will be more formal guidance forthcoming on facility and information technology services consolidation. However, until then, these guidelines should be used to assist with the wiring/cabling needs for offices.

Responsibilities The OCIO-CEC has the authority and responsibility for oversight of the office Automated Data Processing (ADP) rooms and cabling. They are responsible for providing approval of all cabling plans. The Mission Area leasing agent is responsible for including all applicable requirements and standards in solicitations.

Questions on these guidelines can be directed to the OCIO-CEC.

https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/DR3300-001-G_Sharing%20of%20Telecommunications%20Resources_Final_20190912.pdf https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/DR3300-001-K_Installation_of_Telecomm_Cables_in_Federal_Bldgs_final_20191113.pdf https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/departmental-regulation-3901-001-no-longer-valid https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/DR3300-001-G_Sharing%20of%20Telecommunications%20Resources_Final_20190912.pdf https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/DR3300-001-K_Installation_of_Telecomm_Cables_in_Federal_Bldgs_final_20191113.pdf https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/DM3510-001_0.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture Wiring & Cabling Guidelines for Offices

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Computer Room Physical and Security Requirements Refer to Departmental Manual (DM 3510-001) “Physical Security Standards for Information Technology (IT) Restricted Space” and the “CEC Space and ADP Room Guidelines”.

Dedicated Electrical Circuits and Outlets for ADP Equipment

1. ADP Room and Demarcation Point Circuits: Provide and install dedicated electrical circuits with isolated grounds in the computer room. Dedicated circuits must be 110 volt, 20-amp standard three-prong circuits with true earth ground terminated into orange or other uniquely marked (computer use only) duplex outlets.

Provide and install duplex outlets for each dedicated electrical circuit in the computer room and any distribution closets. One dedicated outlet for the explicit use of USDA/OCIO/CEC should also be provided at the demarcation point. The main electrical panel for the computer/voice equipment will be properly grounded.

2. General Office Space Circuits: Provide enough dedicated electrical circuits and multiple outlets at designated locations throughout the service center to accommodate workstations, copiers, etc.

3. Electrical Requirements for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Circuit: All CEC network equipment in the computer room is required to be connected to a UPS.

a. The CEC or the CEC-contracted installer is responsible for the installation of and engineering the load on the UPS.

b. The agency will be responsible for funding of the UPS.

4. Number and Type of Circuits: There will be a minimum of one 120 volt, 30-amp minimum with true ground, terminated into a twisting-lock NEMA L5-30R receptacle. Each dedicated circuit must have insulated, isolated earth ground; conduit ground is not acceptable.

5. Location of the UPS Receptacle: The receptacle will be located within a maximum of 4.5 feet from the back of the computer room wiring cabinet.

Plywood Wall Mounting One sheet of ¾ inch 4 x 4-foot plywood or equivalent open space on an existing backboard shall be vertically mounted on the wall at the internal demarcation point within three feet of an electrical outlet. The backboard should be attached to the wall using correct mounting hardware and procedures. If the wall is sheet-rocked, attach the backboard to the studs. If the wall is concrete, attach the backboard using anchors. The backboard should be painted with fire-retardant paint the same color as the interior walls of the building.

https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/DM3510-001_0.pdf

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Demarcation Point (D-Mark)

1. When possible, all telecommunication company demarcation points should be internal to the building. The lessor is responsible for ensuring there is a route available for any extended demark need from the building demark to the USDA ADP room. Any demarcation extension should be coordinated with TSD and the sponsoring agency to ensure the work is properly sourced and funded.

2. A 4-inch conduit with pull cable for the explicit use of USDA should be installed from the demarcation point to the USDA ADP (Computer) Room.

3. For any analog Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines delivered to the office, extend them from the demark to the extended demark at the computer room and utilize 6P4C surface mount jacks to accommodate RJ11 cables, such as the one shown to the right.

Distribution Closets and Cable Pathways

1. For the standard service center, data cabling may traverse non-USDA space (for example, in the space above a drop ceiling) without any special protection (conduit, etc.). Any exceptions to this will be identified site-specifically by the OCIO-CEC.

2. Data cabling may terminate in USDA or USDA partner space. If any space changes definition (for example, a USDA office is discontinued without the entire location being closed and the abandoned space is leased to a non-USDA tenant), the USDA cable terminations must be removed from the now, non-USDA space.

3. When multiple buildings are to be connected as part of one cable plant, the connection is to be run via fiber optic cable.

4. When cable consists of multiple runs, the facility owner shall provide cable trays or J-hooks to ensure that the cable does not come in contact with the suspended ceiling.

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Data Cabling/Telecommunications

1. All new installations will use Category 6 (CAT6) ethernet cabling or higher and will meet local building codes.

Exceptions: Minor renovations to buildings that currently contain CAT5 cable and terminations may continue to do so. However, all substantial additions to or replacements of existing wiring should be replaced with Cat 6 where possible.

CAT5 cabling is unsuitable for ethernet speeds above 100 Mb/sec and for office Wireless Access Points (WAPs). Therefore, all cabling specifically for WAPs must use CAT6. In addition, when a move or renovation leads to an upgrade of an office to CAT6, the patch cables in the ADP room must be replaced with CAT6-compliant cables as well. The following table describes the various cabling specifications:

Category 5, 5e, 6, 6a & 7 Cable Comparison CAT5 CAT5e CAT6 CAT6a CAT7 (Proposed)

Frequency 100 MHz 100 MHz 250 MHz 500 MHz 600 MHz Attenuation (min. at 100MHz) 22 dB 22 dB 19.8 dB -- 20.8 dB Characteristic Impedance 100 ohms = 15% 100 ohms = 15% 100 ohms = 15% -- 100 ohms = 15% NEXT (min. at 100MHz) 32.3 dB 35.3 dB 44.3 dB 27.9 dB 62.1 dB PS-NEXT (min. at 100 MHz) N/A 32.3 dB 42.3 dB -- 59.1 dB EL-FEXT (min. at 100 MHz) N/A 23.8 dB 27.8 dB 9.3 dB Not yet specified PS-ELFEXT (min. at 100 MHz) N/A 20.8 dB 24.8 dB -- Not yet specified PS-ANEXT (min. at 500 MHz) -- -- -- 49.5 dB -- PS-AELFEXT (min. at 500 MHz) 16.0 dB 20.1 dB 20.1 dB 23.0 dB 14.1 dB Return Loss (min. at 100 MHz) 16.0 dB 20.1 dB 20.1 dB 8.0 dB 14.1 dB Delay Skew (max. per 100m) N/A 45 ns 45 ns -- 20 ns Networks Supported 100BASE-T 1000BASE-T 1000BASE-TX 10GBASE Not yet specified

2. Copper Cable Installation: All data cable and voice cables shall be terminated with Cat 6 compliant terminations (patch panels, wall outlets, etc.). Upon completion, it shall be tested and certified by the installer to ensure it is operational and within compliance of the reference documents. Finally, if occupying space with existing cabling, it should still be tested and certified to comply with the reference documents as well.

3. Data Fiber Cable Installation: All strands of each fiber cable shall be terminated at each end of the cable, with either Lucent Connector (LC) or Standard Connector (SC) connectors, as appropriate to the related equipment interface connector, and will be conveyed to the selected cable contractor upon request.

NOTE: Supply several sets of fiber patch cords that should not only serve immediate switch connection concerns but allow for possible switch update connections in the future. The unused fiber patch cables will be kept in reserve at this site.

Standard Connector (SC) Lucent Connector (LC)

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4. Wall Input/Output (I/O) Face Plates for Work Areas: Work areas will have a dual, quad, or hex outlet plate with corresponding RJ-45 connectors (see diagrams to right) or integrated into modular furniture. Extra outlet plate connectors will also be required in some common areas. All drops will be identified and numbered on the office floor plan prior to installation. The other end will be punched down on an RJ-45/110-type patch panel in the ADP room wiring cabinet. Each dual, quad or hex plate must be labeled with the workstation number (1, 2, etc.) and the A, B, C, etc., format. Each connection must be identified as (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, etc.) on the corresponding patch panel location.

Local Area Network (LAN) / Wide Area Network (WAN) / Voice Cabinet

1. The lessor or Government-contracted installers will provide and install the LAN/WAN/Voice cabinet, wiring, cabling, and patch panels in the cabinet as specified by OCIO-CEC. Patch panels will be RJ-45/110 type and appropriately sized, based upon the number of outlet plates. A wire service loop that will allow the cabinet to freely move a minimum of six feet in any direction will be installed by the cable installation contractor as part of the cable installation. The RJ-45/110 type patch panel must be mounted in the cabinet in the place designated by the OCIO-CEC.

NOTE: Though not recommended, the patch panels may be installed on the plywood board and the cabling terminated into them only if required by the lessor.

2. Where patch panel size and equipment requirements have grown beyond the capacity of a single cabinet, racks or additional cabinets may be used. However, any additional racks or cabinets need to follow similar specifications as that original equipment.

3. Distribution points that have smaller equipment requirements (for example, a single 24-port switch) can utilize half-height or wall mounted racks, rather than full, floor standing cabinets. However, this equipment still should be secured and protected in some sort of cabinet.

Correctly Labeled Quad Plate Correctly Labeled Hex Plate

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Abbreviations / Definitions

Abbreviation Definition ADP Automated Data Processing BSD Business Services Division CAT Category (e.g., CAT6 cable designations) CEC Client Experience Center DM Departmental Manual DR Departmental Regulation EIS Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions EUC End User Consolidation GM Group Manager IOD Infrastructure Operations Division LAN Local Area Network LC Lucent Connector

OCIO Office of the Chief Information Officer SC Standard Connector

SOP Standard Operating Procedures TASB Telecommunications Administration Services Branch TSD Technical Support Division UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply

WAN Wide Area Network WAP Wireless Access Point

Version Date By Notes

1.0 5/26/20 Patrick Cummings Initial version.

2.0 4/22/21 Brian Konkel Updated with new standards.

2.1 4/22/21 Keith Sessions Edited for clarity, formatted to standard.

2.2 11/18/21 Clara Wheeler Removed references to FPAC and RD.

2.3 1/4/21 Randy Rhyne Made content edits.