VDI electricity: definition
VDI electricity is at the core of digital communications in corporate infrastructures and data centers. This structured cabling technology simultaneously transports—as its acronym suggests—voice, data, and images via a centralized network, while optimizing technical management and reducing installation complexity. Since the latest update published in August 2024 on AFNOR, the NF C 15-100 standard reaffirms the prerequisites related to the quality and performance of critical installations. A thorough understanding of the specific VDI features is essential for designing a robust, high-performance, and scalable infrastructure.
What is a VDI network inelectricity?
Definition of VDI and IT infrastructure role
VDI—Voice, Data, Image—is defined as a structured cabling system that unifies the transmission of different types of digital signals within a single physical infrastructure. It replaces the previously separate networks for telephony, IT, and video with a converged solution, which essentially uses twisted pair cables and standard RJ45 connectors. VDI electrical cabling is a powerful driver of scalability in facilities such as data centers, facilitating the reconfiguration of service-related software without modifying the physical infrastructure.
We can summarize VDI architecture as a star topology with a single central concentration point, more commonly known as a distributor or communication panel. The benefits of this centralization include simplified technical management, easier maintenance, and optimized connection traceability. A workstation can have one or more RJ45 sockets. A permanent, proven-quality link is ensured because these RJ45 sockets are connected directly to the distributor. This avoids conventional serial connections and ensures consistent performance across the network.
Thus, the role of VDI goes beyond simple interconnection to encompass the convergence of digital services. Each organization can easily deploy new services or applications, such as IP telephony, video conferencing, access control, or technical monitoring. In short, the VDI infrastructure is the technical foundation for business applications, with high requirements in terms of resilience and performance.
Standards and regulations NF C 15-100
The NF C 15-100 standard, revised at the end of August 2024, regulates VDI installations through a series of chapters, particularly the section dedicated to communication network installations. Although there is a one-year transition period, quality and energy efficiency requirements have been permanently strengthened. The standard requires a minimum volume of 24x30 cm with a depth of 20 cm in the ETEL (Electrical Technical Space in the Home) to accommodate the various VDI equipment.
As VDI cabling must be star-shaped from the communication box and each RJ45 socket must be connected, it eliminates the series connections (T-shaped configuration) historically used by analog telephony. Among the new provisions, preventive protection against power surges requires the operator or data center site to install a surge protector on the network when it is connected to the external copper network and a surge protector is included in the electrical installation. This measure protects the most sensitive equipment from potential electrical disturbances and ensures service or application redundancy and continuity.
VDI cabling: what are the essential components?
The communication panel and modules
The communication panel is central to the VDI installation and centralizes the various connections and active equipment. The cabinet includes patch panels, network distribution equipment such as switches and routers, protection modules, and specific management devices. Its modular design allows it to meet the growing needs of organizations. In addition, the standardization of dimensions allows the integration of devices from each manufacturer.
Strict rules for separating high and low currents prevent electromagnetic interference. Each RJ45 or other connection is clearly labeled, facilitating maintenance and upgrades. Overall reliability is maximized and intervention times are minimized. In addition, systematic ventilation allows heat generated by active equipment to be dissipated.
All protection modules include communication signal surge protectors, emergency shut-off devices, and an advanced electrical parameter monitoring system as standard features. This optimizes the integrity and extends the service life of connected equipment.
Types of VDI cables and RJ45 connectors
VDI cables use shielded or unshielded twisted pair cables, depending on environmental constraints. Categories 6A, 7, and 8 are frequently seen in current installations, with 10 Gigabit Ethernet support over 100 meters for versions 6A and 7, while the 8 format allows between 25 Gigabits and 40 Gigabits over 30 meters. Hosting providers and data centers use the latest VDI cable standards to meet current needs and allow room for new technologies to evolve. Shielding such as STP or FTP is a prerequisite for environments with electromagnetic interference, such as data centers.
RJ45 connectors comply with the international ISO 11801 standard and are applicable for all categories from 5 to 8. They are typically used for equipment-to-infrastructure connections. Inter-manufacturer interoperability and easier maintenance benefit from this standardization. Wall sockets are color-coded according to service—voice, data, or video—which simplifies visualization.
A 90-meter maximum length for the permanent link between the distributor and the wall outlet protects the integrity of the digital signal. It should be noted that this technical limit takes into account user patch cords and connection cables, with a maximum range of 100 meters. This requires careful communication panel layout planning, particularly in large buildings such as data centers with multiple intermediate distributors.
What are the differences compared to conventional network cabling?
There is a clear distinction between VDI cabling and conventional network cabling. While traditional network cabling focuses primarily on immediate efficiency with dedicated solutions for each service, VDI electricity provides an overview by combining current and future communication needs. Although this approach requires significant investment, it facilitates operation and future upgrades.
Certifying each VDI link ensures that the expected performance is maintained throughout the transmission chain. Technical validation is carried out using specific equipment that measures critical parameters: impedance matching, attenuation, crosstalk, and loop resistance. Traditional network cabling, on the other hand, does not allow for functional testing, which is often insufficient to guarantee maximum performance in the long term.
Finally, accurate and comprehensive documentation is a key element of VDI. Standardized labeling, a complete technical file with plans, measurement sheets, and detailed maintenance procedures are assigned to each link. High traceability makes subsequent interventions much easier while preserving the value of the critical installation. This is why VDI cables are standardized in data centers , where it is very important to anticipate long-term technical management.
Uses in data centers and VDI network benefits
Using VDI in data centers enables better management of active equipment while simplifying connection traceability. This approach is particularly relevant in high-density environments, where a cabling error can negatively affect service availability. All connection interfaces are standardized and cable and connector stocks are streamlined.
The economic benefits of electrical VDI are clear, with a significant reduction in management and maintenance costs. In addition, centralizing connections at the patch panels allows user workstations to be reconfigured without intervention. The high level of flexibility facilitates rapid adaptation of the infrastructure to organizational and technological changes. Standardized components minimize the cost of training qualified personnel and optimize maintenance-related inventory management.
Performance and reliability are key advantages of VDI, especially in the most critical environments. Controlled quality of each link enables optimal throughput, minimizing potential transmission errors. It is possible to create a proactive security system with VDI by geo-tagging links and hardware. Redundancy built into VDI cabling by default also improves the extended availability of services or applications in edge data centers.
Installation in a data center and deployment
What are the key steps for installing a VDI network?
Among these key steps, we distinguish:
Network installation
This begins with an in-depth study phase, analyzing the current and future needs of organizations. This preliminary study determines the number of service points, their exact location, and the expected performance at each location. It takes into account the building's topological constraints, available cable routes, and potential electromagnetic interference. This makes it possible to determine the ideal location for the communications panel and secondary distributors, where relevant.
Cable routing
Minimum bending radiuses and separation requirements from power circuits are strictly adhered to. The critical nature of this step has a direct impact on the final performance of the installation. Each cable is routed through dedicated paths, such as cable trays, raised floors, or false ceilings, to prevent any proximity to potential sources of electromagnetic interference.
VDI marking
This is standardized for each cable. This allows for quick and easy identification during the connection and testing phase.
Connection & commissioning
These require special care, as the quality of the connections must be preserved. Terminations are visually inspected by operators and performance is measured against expected targets.
Electrical installation documentation
This is an essential deliverable for operation and maintenance.
Testing and maintenance procedures
Acceptance tests are based on certified measuring equipment that validates the compliance of each link with performance standards. These measurements include pair mapping, frequency-dependent attenuation, crosstalk (NEXT, FEXT), propagation delay, and impedance matching. This comprehensive validation detects installation defects and guarantees the advertised performance. The results serve as a reference for subsequent periodic checks.
There are two distinct phases of maintenance:
● 1. Preventive maintenance
This includes visual inspection of connections, cleaning of connectors, and verification of cable labeling. This regular monitoring helps to limit the gradual deterioration in performance caused by oxidation, dust accumulation, or mechanical stress. This phase is essential in every data center, as specific attention is required in relation to thermal conditions and equipment density.
● 2. Corrective maintenance
It intervenes when malfunctions are detected by network monitoring equipment. With advanced diagnostic tools, faults can be observed using time domain reflectometry (TDR), which guides technical interventions. This methodical approach drastically reduces outages and boosts the efficiency of maintenance teams. It preserves the traceability of changes following each intervention.
VDI and UltraEdge data centers: our approach
UltraEdge integrates VDI as an essential component of its edge computing infrastructures. This optimizes the convergence between local performance and centralized supervision. Our innovative approach leverages the increased flexibility of structured cabling and thus adapts quickly to technical developments and the needs of each Edge site. VDI standardization enables accelerated deployment of new points of presence and maintains overall technical relevance.
UltraEdge's VDI architecture focuses on high operational simplicity and reliability in numerous environments, without the need for a qualified expert. Technical features are therefore built in: highly resilient components, redundancy of critical links, and comprehensive documentation to simplify remote interventions. Unified monitoring leverages the VDI's diagnostic capabilities to proactively detect sudden performance degradation. UltraEdge's environmental strategy is based in particular on the energy efficiency of VDI while reducing the need for active repetition. Through its edge computing approach, UltraEdge promotes technical simplicity and the efficiency of VDI cabling in order to build sustainable, high-performance infrastructures, which is central to the drive towards greater proximity thanks to a network of 250 data centers and high energy efficiency.