CDCP - Certified Data Centre Professional Structured Cabling and Standards Questions and Answers

Question 1

A data center technician is performing certification testing on a newly installed structured cabling system. The test must validate the performance of the fixed portion of the link, from the patch panel in the Telecommunications Room (TR) to the wall outlet in the Equipment Distribution Area (EDA), excluding equipment and user patch cords. Which type of test should be performed?

Accepted Answer

Permanent Link test

Answer

A Permanent Link test is used to certify the 'fixed' portion of the cabling infrastructure, which includes the cable from the patch panel to the faceplate, plus the termination at each end. [11, 28, 29] It explicitly excludes the equipment patch cords and user cables. A Channel test, by contrast, includes the entire end-to-end connection, including these patch cords. [27, 28, 29] A Wire Map test checks for physical connectivity and correct pinouts, while a Continuity test only checks for open or short circuits.

Question 2

According to the TIA-942 standard, which functional area within a data center serves as the central point for the structured cabling system, housing the main cross-connect, core routers, and switches?

Accepted Answer

Main Distribution Area (MDA)

Answer

The Main Distribution Area (MDA) is the central point of distribution for the data center's structured cabling system. It houses the main cross-connect (MC) and the core network equipment. [6] The Horizontal Distribution Area (HDA) serves as a distribution point for a specific zone, the Equipment Distribution Area (EDA) is where the end equipment (servers, storage) is located, and the Entrance Room (ER) is the interface to the outside service providers. [6, 14]

Question 3

A data center is being designed to support high-density computing. The design specifies that all metallic components, including racks, cabinets, and cable trays, must be connected to the telecommunications grounding system to ensure electrical safety and mitigate EMI. Which standard provides the primary guidelines for telecommunications bonding and grounding?

Accepted Answer

TIA-607

Answer

The TIA-607 standard, 'Generic Telecommunications Bonding and Grounding (Earthing) for Customer Premises,' provides the specific requirements for creating a robust grounding and bonding infrastructure. [16, 17] It ensures that all metallic pathways and equipment are at the same electrical potential to protect personnel and equipment. TIA-942 covers overall data center design [9], TIA-568 is for commercial building cabling [8, 18], and BICSI-002 provides data center design and implementation best practices. [1, 2, 10]

Question 4

In a structured cabling system compliant with TIA standards, what is the maximum allowable length for a copper horizontal cable run, from the patch panel in the Horizontal Distribution Area (HDA) to the work area outlet?

Accepted Answer

90 meters (295 feet)

Answer

The TIA-568 series of standards specifies that the maximum length of the permanent horizontal cabling, also known as the 'permanent link,' must not exceed 90 meters. [18, 26] The overall 'channel,' which includes the patch cords at both ends, can be up to 100 meters, with the patch cords themselves typically limited to a combined total of 10 meters. [18]

Question 5

Which of the following best describes the primary function of backbone cabling within a TIA-942 compliant data center design?

Accepted Answer

To provide high-speed interconnections between the Main Distribution Area (MDA), Horizontal Distribution Areas (HDAs), and Entrance Rooms (ERs).

Answer

Backbone cabling, also known as vertical cabling, is used to create the main information-carrying pathways between key functional areas of the data center. [14, 24, 26] Its purpose is to connect Entrance Rooms, the Main Distribution Area, and Horizontal Distribution Areas, typically using high-bandwidth fiber optic or copper cabling. [14, 26] Horizontal cabling connects the HDA to work areas, and patch cords connect servers within a rack.

CDCP - Certified Data Centre Professional Practice Test

CDCP - Certified Data Centre Professional Practice Test

CDCP - Certified Data Centre Professional Structured Cabling and Standards Questions and Answers