Premises Cabling

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Beginners or Experts
Review: I have struggled writing Premises Cabling books when I worked for a Mid-state PA Co. Mr. Sterling brings an understanding to the subject matter that enbabled me to correctly help the audience that I was writing for and trying to reach with training information about cabling options. His expert guidance would enable both the novice and the expert to gain a deeper understanding and help them with their job and career. This is not an easy subject, yet Mr. Sterling makes it a pleasure to read and refer back to time and time again. Thanks for taking the time to put together such an informative and interesting book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Beginners or Experts
Review: I have struggled writing Premises Cabling books when I worked for a Mid-state PA Co. Mr. Sterling brings an understanding to the subject matter that enbabled me to correctly help the audience that I was writing for and trying to reach with training information about cabling options. His expert guidance would enable both the novice and the expert to gain a deeper understanding and help them with their job and career. This is not an easy subject, yet Mr. Sterling makes it a pleasure to read and refer back to time and time again. Thanks for taking the time to put together such an informative and interesting book.

Rating:
Summary: The worst book of its kind for this topic
Review: I once owned this book and do not recommend it to anyone for any reason. I have several books of this topic and this book is by far the worst of the bunch. No details on planning, design, installation or support of network cabling. Just some worthless pictures on how the network cabling looks and works. If there is any redeeming factor to this book it almost shows how to crimp a RJ45 plug onto the end of a wire, but almost doesn't count and its not redeeming for this book.

I sold this book at an internet auction and I was glad to get rid of it for postage. Do not buy.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent choice for LAN network support folks
Review: I'm a non-engineer who began supporting LAN network infrastructure a couple of years ago. I've read a couple of other books on premises cabling and they all pretty much tell you the same kind of things, basic rules for cabling, tips, do's and don'ts. However, this book delves a little deeper into the electrical properties and gives you some needed insight into why certain practices are better than others. This is critical as the newer technologies are deployed and the tolerances of Cat5 cable begin to be stressed. It helps you cut through the gobbledy-gook of the marketeers, also.

Book covers all the basics, why structured cable, properties of Cat5 and fiber, connectors, OSI model, cross-connects, installation techniques, certification, etc.

Only criticism I have is that it was published in 1996 and that a new edition would be nice, especially after the Cat6 standards are finalized.

Best thing I can say is that after borrowing a friend's copy for about 6 months, I decided to take the plunge and buy my own.