CPS Infrastructure Handbook

The audience for the manual is anyone involved in network wiring projects: school principals, technology coordinators, consultants and contractors. The benefits of following the standardized system include:

• Maintaining district wide consistency and standardization within the Chicago Public Schools
• Supporting multi-vendor equipment
• Simplifying moves, additions, and changes
• Allowing for future applications -- “future proofing” the cabling system for any forthcoming technologies
• Saving time and money in cable maintenance; the principle cost for maintenance is labor

In summary, network wiring which follows these standards should provide classroom wiring to support LANs and backbone wiring from the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) Room to the classrooms for the next 15-20 years.

Standards Overview

The standards include:

• Six strands of fiber optic cabling and two Category Six Enhanced cables connected to each administrative and instructional area.
• A backbone of multimode fiber optic cable that is star wired from the MDF Room to the classrooms.
• Network cabling that must conform to EIA/TIA telecommunication wiring standards.
• Electrical Standards: This is a supplemental section 16000. Electrical distribution system for the computers must conform to federal, State of Illinois, and City of Chicago Electrical Codes.
• Testing Standards: A critical part of the installation is the testing and verification that all cabling and wiring meet testing standards prior to acceptance of the final product
• Labeling Standards: This will provide districtwide consistency.

Network Wiring Project Components

Successful projects include the following seven components:

• Media Selection
• Termination Components
• Design Criteria
• Installation Techniques
• Certification Testing
• Code Compliance
• Documentation

Please Note:

Any request for a design variance of the Infrastructure Standards must be submitted for approval, in writing, prior to construction to: