Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

A premises distribution system, or PDS, is a preplanned network of cabling within a building or campus environment, designed for the transmission of voice and data. The PDS provides a connection point for external communication and links to the public telephone network. A PDS is typically a structured wiring system that is designed to implement future services and growth, and accommodate future moves and reconfigurations.

Early premises systems were proprietary, but today most cabling systems follow the TIA/EIA 568 Commercial Building Wiring Standard. This standard provides a uniform wiring system and supports multivendor products and environments. The scope of the specification covers telecommunication wiring for both horizontal wiring (telephone and computer wall outlets to the wiring equipment rooms in a building) and backbone wiring (equipment room to equipment and among buildings in a campus environment). See "TIA/EIA Structured Cabling Standards."

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