Intermediate distribution frame
Encyclopedia
Intermediate distribution frame (IDF): In a central office
or customer premises, a frame that (a) cross-connects the user
cable
media to individual user line
circuits and (b) may serve as a distribution point for multipair cables from the main distribution frame
(MDF) or combined distribution frame
(CDF) to individual cables connected to equipment in areas remote from these frames.
IDFs are used for telephone exchange central office, customer-premise equipment, Wide Area Network (WAN), and Local Area Network (LAN) environments, among others.
In central office environments the IDF may contain circuit termination equipment from various auxiliary components. In WAN and LAN environments IDFs, can hold devices of different types including backup systems (Hard Drives or other media as self-contained or as Raid Arrays, CD-ROM, etc.), Networking (Switches, Hubs, Routers), and Connections (Fiber Optics, coaxial, category cables) and so on.
Care must be taken when using an IDF as a ground for additional equipment. In 2010, a large United States based software company suffered telecommunications problems as a result of contractors grounding
welding equipment to an IDF supporting employee's telephone systems.
Telephone exchange
In the field of telecommunications, a telephone exchange or telephone switch is a system of electronic components that connects telephone calls...
or customer premises, a frame that (a) cross-connects the user
User (telecommunications)
In telecommunications, a user is a person, organization, or other entity that employs the services provided by a telecommunication system, or by an information processing system, for transfer of information....
cable
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
media to individual user line
Telephone line
A telephone line or telephone circuit is a single-user circuit on a telephone communication system...
circuits and (b) may serve as a distribution point for multipair cables from the main distribution frame
Main distribution frame
In telephony, a main distribution frame is a signal distribution frame for connecting equipment to cables and subscriber carrier equipment . The MDF is a termination point within the local telephone exchange where exchange equipment and terminations of local loops are connected by jumper wires...
(MDF) or combined distribution frame
Combined distribution frame
In telecommunication, a combined distribution frame is a distribution frame that combines the functions of main and intermediate distribution frames and contains both vertical and horizontal terminating blocks....
(CDF) to individual cables connected to equipment in areas remote from these frames.
IDFs are used for telephone exchange central office, customer-premise equipment, Wide Area Network (WAN), and Local Area Network (LAN) environments, among others.
In central office environments the IDF may contain circuit termination equipment from various auxiliary components. In WAN and LAN environments IDFs, can hold devices of different types including backup systems (Hard Drives or other media as self-contained or as Raid Arrays, CD-ROM, etc.), Networking (Switches, Hubs, Routers), and Connections (Fiber Optics, coaxial, category cables) and so on.
Care must be taken when using an IDF as a ground for additional equipment. In 2010, a large United States based software company suffered telecommunications problems as a result of contractors grounding
Ground (electricity)
In electrical engineering, ground or earth may be the reference point in an electrical circuit from which other voltages are measured, or a common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth....
welding equipment to an IDF supporting employee's telephone systems.