Tech Docs
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Fire safety in cable installations is a critical aspect of both data center and field operations, ensuring the protection of personnel, equipment, and infrastructure. The first step toward minimizing fire risk begins with selecting the correct cable type for the environment. Plenum-rated cables, labeled CMP, are designed for air-handling spaces such as ceiling voids or…
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MoCA, or Multimedia over Coax Alliance, is a technology that allows for networking over existing coaxial cable systems in homes. It enables the use of coaxial cables to create a high-speed Ethernet connection, providing a reliable and efficient way to distribute internet access throughout a home without the need for new wiring. MoCA networks can…
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Power over Ethernet (PoE) is a networking standard that delivers DC electrical power along with data signals through standard twisted-pair Ethernet cabling (typically Cat5e, Cat6, or higher). This innovation eliminates the need for separate power cords or outlets near devices, simplifying installation and reducing infrastructure costs. PoE works by injecting power into the Ethernet cable…
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Pickaxe is an open-source software agent developed for use with Foreman.mn, a Bitcoin mining management platform. It serves as the intermediary between ASIC mining hardware and the Foreman dashboard, enabling operators to collect, transmit, and visualize real-time performance data. Running locally on a computer or server within the mining environment, Pickaxe queries miners directly to…
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An Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS) is a specialized instrument used in fiber optic networks to measure the total optical loss across a fiber link. It combines a calibrated light source and a power meter to determine how much signal is lost as light travels from one end of the fiber to the other. This…
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Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) is the original analog telephone system that laid the foundation for modern voice communication. Operating over twisted-pair copper wires, POTS transmits voice signals as continuous electrical waveforms. It uses a circuit-switched network, meaning each call establishes a dedicated line between two endpoints, ensuring consistent voice quality. One of its defining…
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Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT) is a type of signal interference that occurs when a transmitted signal on one wire pair induces unwanted noise onto an adjacent pair at the same end of the cable where the signal originated. NEXT is most commonly encountered in twisted-pair cabling systems, such as those used in Ethernet networks. It happens…
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Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful imaging technique that uses a beam of electrons transmitted through an ultrathin specimen to produce highly magnified images of its internal structure. TEM works by directing electrons through a sample that is typically less than 100 nanometers thick. As the electrons pass through, they interact with the atoms…
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A splitter in terms of coaxial cable is a passive device that divides a single incoming radio frequency signal into multiple outputs, allowing several devices such as televisions, modems, or receivers to share the same signal source. It maintains a standard impedance of 75 ohms to prevent signal reflection and distortion, ensuring stable performance across…
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A Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is a diagnostic instrument used to detect faults, breaks, and impedance mismatches in coaxial cables by sending a signal pulse down the line and analyzing the reflections that return. When the pulse encounters a change in impedance—such as a splice, open, short, or damaged section—it reflects back to the TDR,…
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A coaxial cable is a specialized electrical cable designed to carry high-frequency signals with minimal interference. Its name comes from its concentric structure—each layer shares the same axis, which helps preserve signal integrity. Coaxial cables are widely used in applications like cable television, internet service, radio transmission, and closed-circuit video systems. At the center of…
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In telecom infrastructure, MXC is a synonym for MDF—both refer to the Main Cross-Connect, the central point where external carrier circuits interface with a building’s internal network. The Main Cross-Connect (MXC), also known as the Main Distribution Frame (MDF), is the primary physical interconnection point in a facility’s telecommunications system. It serves as the demarcation…
