HDA

What is HDA in Structured Cabling?

Data center structured cabling is a telecommunications cabling infrastructure consisting of a number of standardized smaller elements. According to the TIA-942 standard, a data center structured cabling system always includes five key functional subsystems:

• Entrance Room (ER)

• Main Distribution Area (MDA)

• Horizontal Distribution Area (HDA)

• Zone Distribution Area (ZDA)

• Equipment Distribution Area (EDA)

The horizontal distribution area (HDA) is the space where the horizontal cross-connect resides. The HDA is the main transition point between the backbone and horizontal cabling and houses the LAN, SAN, and KVM switches that connect to the active equipment (servers, mainframes, storage devices). In a colocation data center, it’s been observed that the meet-me-room facility will accommodate all of these 3 areas such as the entrance room (ER), Main distribution area (MDA), and horizontal distribution areas (HDA).

Importance of HDA

• 1. Transition Point: The HDA serves as a transition point between the backbone cabling and the horizontal cabling. It allows for the seamless connection and distribution of network services from the main distribution area (MDA) to the individual work areas within a building or facility.

• 2. Cable Management: The HDA provides a centralized location for managing and organizing the horizontal cables that run to various workstations, offices, or rooms. It enables efficient cable routing, labeling, and documentation, which simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance tasks.

• 3. Equipment Connectivity: LAN, SAN, and KVM switches, along with other active equipment, are typically housed in the HDA. These devices serve as the central connection points for servers, mainframes, storage devices, and other network resources. The HDA ensures that these devices are easily accessible, properly connected, and effectively distributed to the respective work areas.

• 4. Flexibility and Scalability: The HDA allows for flexibility and scalability in network deployments. It facilitates the addition, removal, or relocation of network equipment and connections without disrupting the entire cabling infrastructure. This flexibility enables easier network expansion, upgrades, and reconfigurations as the needs of the organization evolve.

• 5. Future-Proofing: By properly designing and implementing the HDA, organizations can future-proof their network infrastructure. Adequate space, power, and cooling provisions in the HDA can accommodate future technology advancements and higher bandwidth requirements, ensuring the longevity and adaptability of the network.

Best Practices for HDA Implementation

• 1. Proper Planning and Design: Before implementing the HDA, conduct a thorough assessment of your network requirements, future growth projections, and equipment needs. Plan the layout, space allocation, and cable pathways to ensure efficient cable management and scalability.

• 2. Adequate Space and Accessibility: Allocate sufficient space for the HDA to accommodate the required network equipment, cable terminations, and patch panels. Ensure that there is ample room for technicians to access and work on the equipment without constraints.

• 3. Cable Management: Implement effective cable management practices within the HDA. Use fiber enclosures, fiber panels/patch panels, racks, or cabinets to organize and route cables neatly. Label cables properly to simplify troubleshooting and maintenance tasks. Consider using color-coded cables to differentiate between different services or connections.

• 4. Proper Grounding and Bonding: Ensure that the HDA has proper grounding and bonding mechanisms in place to protect against electrical surges and maintain signal integrity. Follow industry standards and guidelines for grounding practices.

• 5. Quality Connectors and Patch Cords: Use high-quality connectors and patch cords to minimize signal loss and maximize performance. Inspect and clean connectors regularly to prevent dust or dirt accumulation that can impact signal quality.

• 6. Adequate Power and Cooling: Ensure that the HDA has sufficient power outlets and cooling mechanisms to support the installed equipment. Consider the power requirements of active equipment and plan for redundancy if necessary.