Wire and Cables Standards

A. Need For Standards

The Harvard network addresses the university's expanding need for a wide variety of voice and data communication services. The University network is comprised of an Intellipath Network, which provides voice services from Verizon, and multiple data networks via a high-speed fiber backbone

The goals of the network are to:

• help control costs
• protect current networking investments
• provide improved service to customers
• prepare the University for future network opportunities
• ensure installation integrity and adhere to building aesthetics

Because the Harvard’s network provides a wide variety of communications services, it is important that the underlying infrastructure be sound. Specific wire and cable standards have been developed by University Information Systems (UIS). These standards were developed and adopted by the University as part of its long-range plan to provide the Harvard community with consistent campus wiring. These standards ensure that as a department's needs change, or construction and renovation occurs, users will be able to access new technology efficiently and cost-effectively.

Wire and cable standards are designed to assist departments as they plan for change and expansion. Following these standards is especially important so departments and the University can take advantage of the expanding array of new network technologies. To prepare for these evolving technologies, the University has adopted an "open architecture" approach. The open architecture approach provides a framework upon which a wide variety of technologies can be built. Voice, data (both low-speed and high-speed transmission), fax, graphic, wireless, VoIP, and image transport can all be accommodated within the structure provided by the university network wire and cable standards.