Network Functional Preparation

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[ 238210 ] = Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors – Computer and network cable installation

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In the future, an important preliminary process before installation of home networks may be network functional preparation.  This is the same type of preparation that manufacturers of complex industrial systems perform before shipping a completed system to the customer’s job site.  It simply means putting everything together, operating and testing it to be sure it works as expected.  The preparation is complete when comprehensive tests and evaluation show that all components are working properly.  Afterward, everything is shipped to the customer’s home, completely installed, and the same comprehensive tests are performed again.  The work is finished and the home network ready for the customer when the two sets of tests are within acceptable levels of variation.

Network functional preparation and testing cannot anticipate all real-world situations in the home.  It will, however, verify that sub-assemblies and component build, test, and evaluation processes are working properly.  It will also demonstrate the successful completion of all previous design and preparation steps.

Everything that will be used in the home is assembled and connected in a way that mimics the actual home installation.  Home blueprints are used to duplicate distances between wireless components.  Dummy cable boxes will simulate approximate, installed cable lengths.  Each dummy cable box contains the same cable that will be used in the home; each has a spool with different lengths of cable on it, and the cable is terminated with the same connectors as will be used in the home.  Dummy boxes simulate actual performance of the cable in the home.  When testing is performed on cable runs installed into the home, tester results will show approximately the same resistance, impedance, capacitance, cross-talk, and other characteristics as tests on the dummy cable box had shown.

Similar testing for wireless applications is more difficult, because the effects of foundations, walls, furniture, wiring, and dynamic interference (operating devices, generated fields cause by motors in use, atmospheric conditions, etc.) must be considered.  Dummy partitions, enclosures, and various test stands can simulate anticipated situations in the home.