Office Cabling Network Data Cabling
Written by Stu Kushner

Cabling Considerations for Your Network Upgrade – Part 2

Office Cabling Network Data CablingAs discussed in Part 1, if the cabling in your company does not meet the requirements for needed new equipment, your team must begin planning the installation of new cabling for a network upgrade. Part 2 will discuss UTP Cables and Structured Cabling.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

There are three kinds of UTP cables that are typically found in the network environment:

  • Straight-through – cables with an identical pinout on both ends.
  • Crossover – cables featuring transmit pins on one end that are connected to the receive pins on the other end.
  • Console or rollover – cables built with pinouts on each end reversed for connecting the serial port of a computer to the console port of a router or switch.
  • Serial – cables usually utilized for connecting the router to an Internet connection.

Structured Cabling

In order to properly design infrastructure with structured cabling, an accurate floor plan of your facility is essential. It will let technicians consider potential cable runs, wiring closet locations, and electrical areas that should be out of bounds.

When the technicians have selected the locations of network devices, your team will be ready to pencil in the network upon the floor plan. The following are several crucial features that should be included:

  • Backbone cable – portion of network handling the major traffic.
  • Cable labeling system – proper labeling scheme or system for identifying cables.
  • Cable management system – series of trays and straps for guiding and protecting cable runs.
  • Electrical considerations – premises should feature sufficient outlets for supporting network equipment electrical requirements.
  • Horizontal cable – cable from wall plate to intermediate distribution frame (IDF) in distribution area.
  • Patch cable – short cable from a computer to a wall plate inside user work area.
    Vertical cable – cable from IDF to main distribution frame (MDF) in facility’s backbone area.
  • Wiring closet location – area for concentrating end-user cable to hub or switch.

Progressive Office Cabling

Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking cost-effective solutions. Working together, Progressive teams are committed to getting your data cables installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Click here or call our toll free number at (800) 614-4560.

About Stu Kushner

Stu Kushner earned an Engineering Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. From there he worked at Boeing Commercial Aircraft, Hexcel Corporation and Case-Rixon as a computer design engineer and systems manager. He now works as the marketing director and project manager here at Progressive Office since its founding in 1986.