IT Support,Data Cabling,Atlanta GA

Advantages Of Using Cat6 Cables

22 May 2014

Cat 6Category 6 or Cat 6 network copper cabling is the preferred infrastructure for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet. It has a maximum performance of 250 MHz, or 500 MHz for the more contemporary Cat6a standard. This type of cabling may be utilized for a maximum distance (end to end) of 100 meters, or 55 meters for the 10 GBASE-T networks. Aside from support for higher performance, Cat6 includes more rigid specifications for crosstalk and system noise. Although Cat6 is anticipated to surpass Cat 5 and Cat 5e cabling soon, all three cable varieties are still widely used for network installations.



Fast and Credible Performance


Most IT experts recognize this type of copper cabling for its speedy network performance due to its ability to deliver gigabit data transmission speeds. It has a parallel structure similar to Cat5 and Cat5e. These copper cables have eight wires coiled as one to form four pairs. The major difference is that one pair of the Cat 6 cable wires does not touch the others, so it can produce twice the transmission capacity of the two other models.


It is also backward compatible. The plug and port of Cat6 cable is the same as the 5 and 5e models. Thus, it can be plugged into any outlet that supports these cables. For instance, you can use the Cat 5 connection for a Cat 6 cable although it will not produce the full speed of the Cat 6 cable.



Resistance to Heat and Flexibility


Copper cables are second to silver in terms of effective conductivity, but among non-precious metals, these wires can cope with a broader load of electricity with less need for insulation. Furthermore, copper cabling has more resistance to heat, which eliminates overloading problems. They are impervious to corrosion despite their shiny surface. Copper is also more pliable, so it can be twisted without the risk of splitting. In fact, copper is used in fabricating thick wires for applications where very thin wires are required. It can also be part of an upgrade if you are looking forward to a more optimal network. Copper Cat5, Cat5e and Cat6 are the industry standards for most small to medium sized offices.


There are certain problems that deserve consideration. Such as copper cabling failure in high-performance wiring systems. Users may also need to contend with poor component performance, such as bad cable segments or connectors that do not comply with specifications. However, these problems are frequently the result of human error. So the choice of copper cabling is  still a good one.

cable testing, Network Cabling ,Data Cabling ,cat6-cabling

Benefits of Copper Cabling Solutions

4 May 2014

cable testing, Network Cabling ,Data Cabling ,cat6-cablingThe conventional process of copper cabling has been used for several years and is still preferred by many network cable providers and end-users. Companies like Progressive Office Cabling offer a complete range of cabling solutions in Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6a and Cat6, providing clients with high-quality cable as well as connectivity components. Progressive Office Cabling makes use of highly effective cable management systems and well-trained technicians for installation jobs. It also employs a web-based online project management system to guarantee proper implementation and monitoring of any project.




How Does Copper Cabling Work?


Installation technicians have to follow specific policies and standards, particularly when it comes to building structure concerns. There are several steps to follow with regard to installation. First, the cable should have the appropriate covering or insulation, which is normally made of PVC, Plenum, Ultra-Violet, or mold-resistant varieties. The cable is cut according to the needed length, and outer covers are removed before connectors are attached. Use the appropriate stripping tools for this purpose. Cables should be mounted as orderly as possible.


There are instances when installers have to use ladder trays and J-hooks, which are made for network cabling, or shoot nails into concrete ceilings using a tool that literally propels nails like bullets into the concrete surfaces. Network cables must be installed away from electric power lines, fluorescent lamps and industrial machines; the risk of electrical coupling can increase dependent on proximity and voltage factors.



Different Benefits


Copper cabling has multiple benefits and is the most effective conductor out there. Copper cables are flexible, which is especially advantageous if you are using electrical wires. It is necessary to bend the wire during installation, so you need something durable that will not easily break after a lot of twisting. Copper does not easily melt, so even if a sudden surge of current or overload takes place, there is no risk of burning or melting. At the same time, copper is not difficult to work on. The majority of electricians opt for copper wires because they can be stripped easily or pulled through rigid spots.


With regard to structured copper cabling, there is the Power over Ethernet benefit. This means that it is possible to run power through devices such as Wireless Access Points, surveillance cameras, and power phones. There is an emergency power supply that continues to power mission-critical devices even if electrical power conks out. Copper cabling supports modern technologies and facilitates the convergence of different applications. Hence, it is important that copper cabling is optimized for your requirements. That is why you should make sure to get the services only of experienced and trustworthy providers in the industry. Choose the provider that ensures customer satisfaction and warranty after installation.

Data Cabling, Fiber optic cable

About Fiber Optic Cabling

3 Apr 2014

Data Cabling, Fiber optic cableAn efficient cabling system is one of the prerequisites for a functional network and is considered to be an investment that will comply with your networking needs in the long term. Fiber optic cabling is the product of modern technology. This type of cabling conveys information from one location to another through pulses of light in an optical fiber. It is important for users to learn the advantages of fiber optics.


Fiber optic cables possess more bandwidth, or communications capacity, compared to metal and copper wires. This variety can transmit more information with greater reliability, which is one of the reasons for cable television and telephone providers to opt for fiber. The optical fiber also generates minimal power loss, thereby allowing longer transmission. Such cables are resistant against electromagnetic interference; they can operate in loud electrical environments because the interference does not have any effect on fiber cables.


Moreover, data moves at higher speeds since the fiber optic signal ensures that only a small amount of signal is lost in the course of transmission. Data is safe with fiber cables. It does not give off signals and is relatively hard to utilize. You will easily find out if the cable has been tapped or infringement has been made on the system, as this tampering causes the cable to give away light and causes the whole system to break down. Fiber optic cabling allows users to store electronics and hardware in a particular area rather than wiring cabinets with equipment.


Fiber optic cabling facilitates consistent transmission of data. The central part is fabricated from glass, an insulator, so that electricity cannot pass through. It is barely affected by ebb and flow of temperature, unlike copper, and can be immersed in water without any negative effects. Fiber optic is lightweight and thread like, but tougher than copper wiring. Specifications are a lot more than the copper cable. Although it is more difficult to terminate compared to copper, modern connectors make it easier to terminate.


The costs of fiber as well as other components are decreasing gradually but installation is more costly. Of course, fiber is more expensive than copper but it become more cost-effective in the long run due to less required maintenance, networking and downtime.


Practical users value their money. There may be certain downsides, such as installation expenses, but these are decreasing steadily each year. Fibers are also prone to damages because of the fine and smaller strands. Nevertheless, you can always institute safeguards that will address these points. Make it a point to determine the benefits of using fiber optic cabling.  Install the highest quality of optic fiber cabling that your financial resources will allow.

Data Cabling Cat5e Cat6/6a Cabling

Should you upgrade your Cat5 cable to Cat6 or Cat6a?

23 Mar 2014
cable tester ,Data Cabling, Cat5e ,Cat6/6a CablingA business decision is approaching. Most companies have Cat5/5e cable in their offices. And it has served well in providing reliable data access to servers, peripherals and the Internet. Cat5/5e runs at speeds up to 1gb (also known as 1000Base-T). Cat6 runs at 10gb but has sorter runs. Whereas Cat5 can have cable lengths of up to 100m, Cat6 maxes out at 55m. This number falls to 37m in a hostile environment.  To achieve full 100m cable lengths maximum while minimizing the risks of crosstalk, it is advisable to install Cat6a cable.

Ultimately, this decision is about costs vs. gains. And before a decision can be made, it is critically important to determine if your existing cable infrastructure is running into bottlenecks that cause traffic slowdowns at the desktop for your users. Internet might only needs about 5 - 25mb of bandwidth. But if your office has a lot of workstations and/or a group of users that are utilizing data-intensive publishing or graphic applications, you might need more speed. We have sophisticated network monitoring tools that can determine the traffic across your network. If we determine that you are using all available bandwidth, than your decision will be based on solid information.

Cat6 and Cat6a will boost your network speeds to 10gb/sec. Can you afford to upgrade to Cat6/6a? If the costs justify the expense, please contact us. We will send out one of our top network cabling technicians to analyze your network and determine if this upgrade option is a good idea for your office. And if it is, we will follow up with a proposal all at no cost to your firm.

 
Data Cabling ,Cat5e ,Cat6/6a Cabling,Network Cable Rack

Should we upgrade to Cat6a or to Cat7 cabling?

10 Nov 2023


Cat6a is a much more established standard than Cat7. It is easier to install and has less connectivity issues. We are not going to recommend or bid on a Cat7 solution. Cat6a can run at speeds of up to 10-Gigabit so if that is acceptable for the next 10 years, than we recommend Cat 6a or go to fiber.

We were asked to bid on a cabling project that was fairly straight-forward. It involved replacing the existing Cat5e cable with either Cat6a, Cat7 or fiber cable. The site was an open, standard modern office with a drop ceiling and hollow office walls. The client needed 64 single drops to existing faceplates, three new 24-port patch panels and patch cables.


The need for higher speeds by the client was created by a demand for faster access to larger files from the Server. This potential client was involved with heavy drafting and multimedia applications that require more bandwidth through the cabling system. Cat5e yields up to 1000Base-T, 1-Gigabit, data transfer speed.


The challenge is in deciding on which type of cable to use. Cat6a and fiber are very standard solutions. But Cat7 is not  at all a standard installation yet (and might not ever be one). The problems with Cat7 are that the cable is very heavy,

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IT Support,Data Cabling,Atlanta GA

A Guide to Network Cabling

22 Mar 2013

Cat 6While WI-Fi and other wireless network technologies have improved greatly over the years, nothing beats the reliability and performance of a wired network in your home or business. One challenge that people face is what kind of cable they need for their needs.


Although there are dozens of network cable types, the fact is only 3 types of network cable is commonly used in home and small business networks: Category 3 (Cat3), Category 5 (Cat5), and Category 6 (Cat6).

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network cabling,Cat6a Cabling in Atlanta

All About Cat6a Cable

11 Feb 2013

Cat6a Cabling in AtlantaIt was once thought that copper cabling would never support speeds above 1 Gig, but Augmented Category 6, or Cat6a - has proven that wrong. Copper still lives and copper cabling may still be around at 40 Gig.


There has been much debate about which is the better option for supporting 10 Gig: Cat6a Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)  or Cat6a Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)?  Both solutions have their uses, and some key information can help installers make informed decisions.



Standards and Alien Crosstalk


The IEEE released the 802.3an 10GBASE-T standard in June of 2006, which specifies 10Gbs data transmission over four-pair copper cabling. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) then began work on transmission performance specifications for the cabling. They published TIA Standard 568-B.2-10: Transmission Performance Specifications for 4-Pair 100 Ohm Augmented Category 6 Cabling in February 2008.


The new Cat6a standard extends the frequency of Cat6a cables to 500 MHz with specifications for a new performance parameter called Alien Crosstalk (ANEXT). Cat6a cables are fully backward compatible with all previous categories, including Cat6 and 5e. NEXT is crosstalk that occurs between adjacent cables and connecting hardware. The higher frequency signals of Cat6a makes ANEXT the limiting noise source for Cat6 and Cat5e systems.



Cat6a UTP vs. STP


Due to its ease of installation and familiarity among installers, Cat 6A UTP is today’s cabling of choice as it can support future bandwidth needs and 10Gb/s performance. In addition, the shield n the STP cable helps prevents electromagnetic and radiofrequency interference (EMI/RFI) on twisted pairs, helping eliminate the effects of noise from sources like machinery, generators, or medical imaging equipment, making STP systems the  choice for industrial and healthcare facilities.


As most residential systems are not faced with EMI/RFI challenges, so UTP is still the recommended cabling type for home installations.