WireCAD ENTerprise CMS Tools > CMS Basics > Backbones

Explanation

The following procedure details the creation of backbones in the CMS module. Backbones are multi-core cables in the cables database that interconnect two (or more) patch panels.

Note: While this tool is open in your window other WireCAD users will be locked out of the Cables table of the Project database.

How-to-Guide

1. Make sure you have used the steps above to create your Equipment, Customize your I/O and create your Cable Types.

2. Access your Equipment Library.

access equipment library

3.Find the equipment you would like to use and click [Add to Project Database Only].

Note: You can add as many pieces of equipment you as you would like at this time however you will need to have at least the 2 definitions that the Backbone are linked to.

find equipment

4. A new SysName window will pop up asking you to verify information about this equipment. The next available SysName will automatically populate.

sysname_dialog

5. Enter in your location for this equipment. Example: Admin Basement Telephone Room.

sysname_location

6. If there are multiple pieces of the same equipment in this location, you can select the [Add Many] to create multiple pieces of equipment at the same time.

Note: WireCAD will automatically SysName each piece of equipment using the next available number in the sequence.

sysname_addmany

7. Once you have added your equipment into the Project Database, close your Equipment Library.

8. Enter ABS into the command line and press enter or click on the [Add Backbone] button on the homepage.

startup screen

9. The Add Backbone Segment window should now be open.

add backbone window

10. First select if you would like to create a New Backbone or Use Existing Available.

11. On the From side, select your equipment from the Patch Panel ID field.

Note: You can filter your results using the Location Filter field. This allows you to select only equipment listed in a location that was specified during SysName Assignment.

From pp

12. On the To side, select your equipment from the Patch Panel ID field. Again, you can filter your results using the Location Filter Field.

To pp

13. On both sides, ports that are available will be shown in white while ports that are currently being used will show as pink.

avaliable ports

14. From the Cable Type field, select the Cable Type you would like to use as your backbone.

Note: If you have not already created a Cable Type for your backbone, you can do so by clicking the [+] sign and following the instructions here.

select cable type

15. Select the ports you would like to use on the From side, then select a starting port on the To side.

Note: You will see that WireCAD will automatically draw a backbone based on your port selection and Cable Strand count. NOTE: See * Below!

auto backbone

16. Click [Apply]. WireCAD will create this backbone and then revert to an empty page ready for another backbone assignment.

*Note: Always make sure that you are not overlaying on used ports and that the ports coming in are not the same as the ports going out. Example: If you have a Patch Panel with 24 Ports in and 24 Ports out, you could use ports 1-12 as your incoming ports and 13-24 as your output ports. This allows the other 12 ports on each side to be used for jumpers to other equipment while maintaining a backbone infrastructure.