Cable Installation
Structured
Cabling
What is it and why do I need it?
What is it and why do I need it?
Structured
Cabling is the foundation of your network. It consists of the cable,
connectors, and other hardware that your network is connected on. It is
the Physical Layer of the network.
Often overlooked, cabling is probably the most critical component of any network!
If improperly designed, installed and or maintained, the cabling will cause problems leading to data loss, slow speeds and extended down time for the network.
Network cabling needs to be installed by professionals who fully understand the characteristics of the cable and the science and technology behind it. Your network cabling should not be an add-on by Bob the electricain or your brother-in-law Bubba.
The Technical Definition of Structured Cabling is:
Structured Cabling is a building or campus telecommunications infrastructure that consists of a number of standardized smaller elements (hence structured) called subsystems.
Structured Cabling falls into six subsystems
Entrance Facilities are where the building interfaces with the outside world.
Equipment Rooms host equipment which serve the users inside the building.
Telecommunications Rooms host telecommunications equipment which connects the backbone and the horizontal cabling subsystems.
Horizontal Cabling connects telecommunications rooms to individual outlets on the floor.
Work -Area components connect end-user equipment to outlets of the horizontal cabling system.
The Technical Junk
Structured cabling design and installation is governed by a set of standards that specify wiring data centers, offices, and apartment buildings for data or voice communications, using category 5 (CAT 5E) or category 6 cable (CAT 6) and modular sockets. These standards define how to lay the cabling in a star formation, such that all outlets terminate at a central patch panel (which is normally 19 inch rack-mounted), from where it can be determined exactly how these connections will be used. Each outlet can be 'patched' into a data network switch (normally also rack mounted alongside), or patched into a 'telecoms patch panel' which forms a bridge into a private branch exchange (PBX) telephone system, thus making the connection a voice port.
Lines patched as data ports into a network switch require simple straight-through patch cables at the other end to connect a computer. Voice patches to PBXs in most countries require an adapter at the remote end to translate the configuration on 8P8C modular connectors into the local standard telephone wall socket. No adapter is needed in the U.S. as the 6P6C plug used with RJ11 telephone connections is physically compatible with the larger 8P8C ("RJ45") socket and the wiring of the 8P8C is compatible with RJ11. In the UK, an adapter must be present at the remote end as the 6-pin BT socket is physically incompatible with 8P8C.
It is common to color code patch panel cables to identify the type of connection, though structured cabling standards do not require it, except in the demarcation wall field.
Cabling standards demand that all eight connectors in Cat5/5e/6 cable are connected, resisting the temptation to 'double-up' or use one cable for both voice and data.
The Advantages of Structured Cabling are:
• Consistency – A structured cabling systems means the same cabling systems for Data, voice and video.
• Support for multi-vendor equipment – A standard-based cable system will support applications and hardware even with mix & match vendors.
• Simplify moves/adds/changes – Structured cabling systems can support any changes within the systems.
• Simplify troubleshooting – With structured cabling systems, problems are less likely to down the entire network, easier to isolate and easier to fix.
• Support for future applications – Structured cabling system supports future applications like multimedia, video conferencing etc with little or no upgrade pain.
Often overlooked, cabling is probably the most critical component of any network!
If improperly designed, installed and or maintained, the cabling will cause problems leading to data loss, slow speeds and extended down time for the network.
Network cabling needs to be installed by professionals who fully understand the characteristics of the cable and the science and technology behind it. Your network cabling should not be an add-on by Bob the electricain or your brother-in-law Bubba.
The Technical Definition of Structured Cabling is:
Structured Cabling is a building or campus telecommunications infrastructure that consists of a number of standardized smaller elements (hence structured) called subsystems.
Structured Cabling falls into six subsystems
Entrance Facilities are where the building interfaces with the outside world.
Equipment Rooms host equipment which serve the users inside the building.
Telecommunications Rooms host telecommunications equipment which connects the backbone and the horizontal cabling subsystems.
Horizontal Cabling connects telecommunications rooms to individual outlets on the floor.
Work -Area components connect end-user equipment to outlets of the horizontal cabling system.
The Technical Junk
Structured cabling design and installation is governed by a set of standards that specify wiring data centers, offices, and apartment buildings for data or voice communications, using category 5 (CAT 5E) or category 6 cable (CAT 6) and modular sockets. These standards define how to lay the cabling in a star formation, such that all outlets terminate at a central patch panel (which is normally 19 inch rack-mounted), from where it can be determined exactly how these connections will be used. Each outlet can be 'patched' into a data network switch (normally also rack mounted alongside), or patched into a 'telecoms patch panel' which forms a bridge into a private branch exchange (PBX) telephone system, thus making the connection a voice port.
Lines patched as data ports into a network switch require simple straight-through patch cables at the other end to connect a computer. Voice patches to PBXs in most countries require an adapter at the remote end to translate the configuration on 8P8C modular connectors into the local standard telephone wall socket. No adapter is needed in the U.S. as the 6P6C plug used with RJ11 telephone connections is physically compatible with the larger 8P8C ("RJ45") socket and the wiring of the 8P8C is compatible with RJ11. In the UK, an adapter must be present at the remote end as the 6-pin BT socket is physically incompatible with 8P8C.
It is common to color code patch panel cables to identify the type of connection, though structured cabling standards do not require it, except in the demarcation wall field.
Cabling standards demand that all eight connectors in Cat5/5e/6 cable are connected, resisting the temptation to 'double-up' or use one cable for both voice and data.
The Advantages of Structured Cabling are:
• Consistency – A structured cabling systems means the same cabling systems for Data, voice and video.
• Support for multi-vendor equipment – A standard-based cable system will support applications and hardware even with mix & match vendors.
• Simplify moves/adds/changes – Structured cabling systems can support any changes within the systems.
• Simplify troubleshooting – With structured cabling systems, problems are less likely to down the entire network, easier to isolate and easier to fix.
• Support for future applications – Structured cabling system supports future applications like multimedia, video conferencing etc with little or no upgrade pain.
Innovative Technology Group
Installs
Structured Cabling!
Installs
Structured Cabling!
We Do IT Right !