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Adds, moves, and changes (MAC) is a term for work that adds to, relocates, or modifies existing telecommunications, network, or cabling infrastructure. It can refer to a configuration update, a physical connection change, or both. The exact work included depends on the organization, contract, and system.
What does “adds, moves, and changes” mean?
MAC describes ongoing work on infrastructure that is already in place. It is used in contexts such as telecom planning, network administration, voice services, and commercial cabling. It is a category of work, not a single standardized procedure or universally defined service.
A MAC request is a request to perform one or more such changes. The label alone does not say who will do the work, what it includes, how it will be tested, or whether it will interrupt service. Those details should be confirmed with the team or provider responsible for the system.
What counts as an add, move, or change?
The terms are practical descriptions, not a universal formal taxonomy. A request may combine more than one type of work.
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| Type | Typical meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add | Introduce a connection, endpoint, or capacity to an existing system. | Connect a new device or user to the network. |
| Move | Relocate a user, device, or connection. | Move a workstation and arrange a working network connection at its new location. |
| Change | Modify an existing configuration or physical connection. | Change network settings, repatch a connection, or re-terminate cabling. |
Are MACs logical changes, physical work, or both?
Either is possible. A logical change alters how a network or service is configured; a physical change alters the connections or cabling itself. Some requests need both—for example, a device may be moved physically and then require configuration updates.
VLAN design can simplify some network moves by avoiding recabling or addressing changes, as Cisco’s documentation explains in its discussion of VLANs and adds, moves, and changes. That does not mean VLANs eliminate physical work in every situation. A structured-cabling service may, for instance, include cleanup, re-termination, refreshed labels, and documentation updates.
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- COMPREHENSIVE FAULT DETECTION: Test for Open, Short, Miswire, or Split-Pair faults, ensuring thorough fault detection and identification
- BACKLIT LCD DISPLAY: Backlit LCD screen displays cable length, wiremap, cable ID, and test results, ensuring easy readability in various lighting conditions
- EFFICIENT CABLE TRACING: Trace cables, wire pairs, and individual conductor wires using the multiple style tone generator (requires analog probe Cat. No. VDV500-123, sold separately), simplifying cable tracing tasks
What happens during a MAC request?
There is no universal MAC workflow. The responsible team needs to establish the request’s scope and determine whether it affects configuration, physical infrastructure, or both. For an actual change, clarify these points before work begins:
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- What is changing? Identify the user, device, service, location, connection, or configuration involved.
- Who owns the work? Confirm whether it belongs to internal IT, a telecom provider, or an onsite cabling contractor. Responsibilities depend on local arrangements and any applicable contract.
- Could service be interrupted? Establish the likely impact and agree on the sequence and timing needed to manage it.
- What must be verified? Decide what checks will show that the new connection or configuration works as intended.
- Which records need updating? Identify affected port, cable, equipment, and location records before closing the request.
For building ICT systems, India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) says designs should account for future needs so that new technologies and MAC work can be adopted with the least or no service interruption. This is planning guidance from its 2020 building ICT infrastructure monograph, not a guarantee that every change can be performed without an interruption.
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- PoE Testing and Cable Length Test: PoE testing can check cable mapping polarity and voltage of PoE network switches, withstand 60VDC. Automatically detects and switches between 10M/100M/1000M modes, Includes cable tracking, short circuit test, interruption of circuit test and etc The RJ45 cable tester can quickly measure the length of the cable with a range of 200m. Not only network cables, but also phone lines and BNC cables.
Why do planning and documentation matter?
Changes are easier to manage when the existing infrastructure is understood and its records stay accurate. The Georgia Telecommunications Design Manual describes administration records for cables, termination hardware, patching and cross-connects, pathways, telecom closets, and related spaces. It also says as-built drawings should be updated as changes occur. That manual dates to 2003, so it is useful as design guidance rather than a current universal legal requirement.
After cabling work, update the relevant drawings and records to reflect what was actually installed or changed. Clear, current cable and port labels can help technicians identify connections, but labeling is part of good recordkeeping—not a requirement for every logical MAC request.
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- Automatically runs all tests and checks for continuity, open, shorted and crossed wire pairs. Visible LED status display.
- Cable state testing (2-wire): Line DC detecting, anode and cathode determination,Ringing signal detecting open, short and cross circuit testing
- Cable Type: RJ11 Telephone cable and RJ45 LAN cable
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How much testing does the change need?
Testing depends on the work and the acceptance requirements for the system. Basic verification, qualification, and certification are distinct purposes, not interchangeable labels for the same test. A 2005 Fluke Networks guide describes verification tools as a first-line option for basic cabling changes; because it is an older guide, it should not be treated as a current product recommendation or as evidence of present-day acceptance standards.
Before work starts, agree on what evidence is appropriate—for example, confirmation that a connection is live, that a configuration works, or that cabling meets a specified acceptance requirement. The available sources do not establish one testing level for all MAC work.
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- Safe & Easy to Use: Simple one-button operation makes testing quick and hassle-free. LED indicators clearly show wiring status, while the G light instantly identifies shielded (FTP/STP) or unshielded (UTP) cables. Supports safe testing of telephone lines with typical voltages under 48-72V, ideal for both home and professional use.
Does MAC have a standard price or service boundary?
No universal price, service-level agreement, or division of responsibility follows from the term itself. A MAC request handled by an internal IT team may have a different scope from cabling work contracted to a provider. Check the relevant organization’s process, contract, location, and current requirements rather than assuming the label defines what is included.
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