Demarcation points (demarc) are the area where cables, wires, and other equipment belonging to service providers and utility companies meet the infrastructure belonging to a building/property. Most demarcs house cables used by telecom/datacom companies (phone/Internet lines) that allow building networks to connect to the outside world. “Demarc extension” is the act of joining these two separate systems together. This can be necessary when a new building is first constructed or when an office space or similar environment gets new tenants. Connecting a demarc extension is absolutely necessary for any company or other organization that plans to have Internet-connect computers and phones that can call outside of the building. The process of setting up any demarc extension will be centered on the demarc itself.
Demarcs are commonly located on the outside of a building, although in some cases they can be found inside as well. Typically, demarcs are kept outside so that service technicians can access them for repairs at any time of the day if equipment goes down. Outdoor demarcs are usually housed in plastic weatherproof boxes to protect the components inside from rain and other elements. Whether a demarc is inside or outside, it will be located at or near the point phone/data cables from outside enter the building. Where exactly that spot will be is largely dependent on the age of the building and equipment, as standards for demarc extensions have changed over the years.
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What are the Different Kinds of Demarc Extensions?
As telephone, Internet, and related technologies have improved, demarc extensions have developed new standards to improve alongside them. There are three main demarc extensions currently in use First there are Network Interface Devices (NIDs). An NID is the low-end of demarc extension options. NIDs are non-digital (“dumb”) electrical systems. An NID demarc has the minimal equipment needed to operation, typically just wiring terminations and surge protectors. Like other demarcs, NIDs are usually attached to the outside of a building and stored inside of weatherproof boxes. These outdoor boxes are designed to withstand fairly substantial environmental changes such as summer heat, winter coldness, sunlight exposure, and rainwater. More extreme situations such as a blizzard or flood may require a more robust box over the default model.
Next, there are Intelligent Network Interface Devices (INIDs). In short-hand, INIDs are commonly referred to as “smartjacks”. This comes from INIDs being made using digital technology. Effectively, INIDs are an upgrade to NIDs capable of managing triple-play (phone/TV/Internet) services. While they are multi-function, not all smartjacks are built the same. The equipment used within a smartjack will depend on what sort of telecom/datacom services it needs to support after being installed.
Last but not least, there are the Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). An ONT is a newer type of demarc extension built to support fiber optic cable. With fiber still being rolled out to many areas across the US, ONTs are still fairly rare compared to NIDs and INIDs. Unlike the other demarc extension options, ONTs are digital-only. This can create some issues with older (analog) systems, but in time everything will be upgraded to digital and circumvent this issue.
Is Every Demarc Extensions the Same?
Any professional installing a demarc extension will know what they are doing. However, what one installer does may not be the same as what another installer would do. Prior to the Bell System Companies monopoly being broken into smaller companies, there were set rules for demarc extensions because only one company installed them. After the monopoly was broken and multiple companies were in the market, different organizations started installing demarc extensions their own way. Eventually the FCC put some guidelines in place to provide a degree of conformity, but there are no ironclad rules for demarc extension installation across the industry as a whole.
Old demarcs from the era after Bell’s break-up but before the FCC rules tend to be messy. There were really no set rules for demarc extension installations, so installers did whatever they wanted. Many of these old systems have broken down and caused problems over the years. If you have an older system, fixing it before something breaks can be critical in preventing future system downtime.
Things to consider
It is essential to look for an authentic company that is experienced to avoid problems. Choose a company that is not having experience in internal wiring. Make sure the company has insight about CPE and connection associated with circuits.
Many tastings need to remove an internal wiring issue came from a circuit problem. It is suggested that low-level loop backtesting be accomplished at the demarcation points that provide access. To avoid problems, move CPE to the demarcation point when it is required. During installation, testing of the entire transmission is required. The testing will prevent all issues and will ensure the full functioning of the demarc extension and circuit.
Make sure you know all of the huge variances in guarantees and no guaranty for the demark extensions. Getting this valuable information is essential to get the demarc extension installed in the right way.
Make sure you know the essentials like if you encounter an experience in which you find an issue in demarc, extensions and circuit is not working properly. Finger-pointing on many parties can delay the solution of a problem. Make sure the company that you hire look at the problem. Don’t hire different agents for this issue as it will delay the solution.
See does the company you hire work best for you or not. Make sure they are capable of working or not.
Therefore, for the installation of demarc extension. You need to consider a lot of factors while hiring a company or agents. Makes sure the company is experienced enough to cater to all problems attached with the installation of demarc extension. Hence, there are several responsibilities you left to the agent. So choosing the right agent should be your priority.
Moreover, agents should also consider providing all the information to their customers so that they don’t get confused at every point of demarc installation.
