Structured Cabling Basics for Your Business
What gives structured cabling an edge over point-to-point cabling is its cost effectiveness, reduced maintenance, flexibility, easier revision/repair, and longer service life due to future proofing? This article will discuss these important advantages for a company’s IT infrastructure.
Overview
Perhaps a basic understanding for a business owner is what structured cabling looks like when compared to point-to-point cabling. What you often see with point-to-point is a tangle of cable runs that scatter everywhere in a facility. In contrast, structured cabling appears streamlined and more organized. It is a system based on best practices, resulting in much better organization.
Structured cabling’s success is based on its centralization at the Main Distribution Area (MDA). The MDA is a structured cabling system, which features several patch panels and trunks that are the foundation of a coherent infrastructure.
This cohesiveness results in hardware ports being easily joined to patch panels, and these are then readily connected to more patch panels. Rather than disorganized cables, a system utilizing structured cabling is capable of letting storage units and servers connect to one primary communication center. This is a huge differentiation from point-to-point cabling, which often results in several infrastructures.
Advantages for Companies
Most companies will obtain advantages from implementing structured cabling. From small startups planning to expand to established medium-sized enterprises that require very reliable data transmission for a large number of users, structured cabling will deliver speed and efficiency, promoting increased productivity.
Supporting the bandwidth required by modern businesses, structured cabling provides outstanding reliability. This is due to its ability to offer scalability, flexibility, and future proofing. Moreover, problems that arise in structured cabling can be much more easily addressed than in a point-to-point type infrastructure. This will save a company both time and money.
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. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
Future Smart Buildings Powered Over Ethernet – Part 2
As discussed in Part 1, Power over Ethernet (PoE) is capable of transmitting both data and power by using a standard Ethernet cable. This is very useful because it lets users install devices at locations where there are no electrical outlets. This capability makes Ethernet cabling the best way to connect future smart buildings. Part 2 will discuss Smart Buildings, The Edge, and PoE Lighting and Sensors.
Smart Buildings
Featuring energy conservation and efficiency, along with technical innovations, smart buildings typically have a strong networking infrastructure of interconnected devices that can be remotely controlled. More sophisticated smart buildings deploy smart devices capable of communicating with other devices that do not require human input. By using Ethernet cabling, much of a building’s Internet-connected smart components will allow users to select the setting they prefer by using an app.
The Edge Building
Constructed in Amsterdam, The Edge is a great example of a modern smart building. It is renowned as the world’s greenest and smartest. It recycles rain water for flushing toilets and irrigating greenery. Its atrium takes advantage of sunlight for lighting. The building maximizes the coordination of lighting, HVAC Systems, access control, and other smart devices. User friendly, The Edge allows office staff to adjust the settings for lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) through a mobile app. For these innovations and its energy efficiency, The Edge was awarded a 98% BREEAM score.
PoE Lighting and Sensors
Power over Ethernet is now being used to power energy efficient LED systems. They typically feature sensors for activating/deactivating lights. More sophisticated sensors monitor room usage and are programmed to gather data. Over time, some can even advise custodial staff that unused work spaces do not require cleaning.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking solutions on behalf of our clients. Efficiently working together, Progressive teams get cabling installed and operating as fast as possible while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
Future Smart Buildings Powered Over Ethernet – Part 1
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is capable of transmitting both data and power by using a standard Ethernet cable. It is very handy because it allows users to install devices at locations where electrical outlets are not present. This important feature makes Ethernet cabling the best way to connect future smart buildings.
A key advantage for using Ethernet cable is being able to assign every connected device a unique IP address. As Ethernet cabling is already the universal standard, using Ethernet will make managing, configuring, and maintaining connected devices simpler and easier. In addition, network administrators and system integrators will be able to troubleshoot devices with TCP/IP, minimizing operational expenses.
Taking Advantage of PoE’s Simplicity
Ethernet cabling is capable of providing the power needed by a smart building’s devices. As mentioned previously, PoE lets technicians install devices in locations without electrical outlets. This also provides the added benefit of not having to add new electrical outlets, which may be costly and require a permit. By utilizing 802.3at, the present highest-powered standard, PoE can power low-voltage devices for a maximum of 30 watts.
With Ethernet cabling, smart buildings can rely on one medium and utilize PoE to provide electricity to wireless access points, VoIP networks, IP surveillance cameras, PoE lighting, mobile clients, and thin clients. Their devices depend on switches or other power sourcing equipment (PSE) to get low-voltage power. Switches are especially capable of AC to DC power conversion. Moreover, power loss is significantly less in comparison to when devices are powered by traditional electricity. They also ease maintenance and troubleshooting by providing a centralized management location.
By chiefly using Ethernet cabling it is possible to remake a conventional building into a smart one. It will be unnecessary to select a specific connectivity standard. For example, a building will be able to repurpose its current network switches to power a new PoE lighting system.
Part 2 will discuss Smart Buildings, The Edge, and PoE Lighting and Sensors.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking solutions on behalf of our clients. Efficiently working together, Progressive teams get cabling installed and operating as fast as possible while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
Why Best Practices for Identifying Cabling are Important
When best practices for identifying cabling and wiring are followed, the expenses for installation are decreased, and clients are more satisfied with the work. For large industrial facilities, construction delays and millions of dollars in losses can result when there are major labeling errors of cables and wires. These mistakes become more costly as the number of wire pulls and terminations increase.
Overview
Nowadays, facilities are filled with computers, networks, and other technological equipment. In addition to their cabling, wiring for access, fire detection, emergency communication, security, and surveillance must also be installed. As a result, the proper management of cables and wires is a challenge Cable management is difficult during the construction phase, and retrofitting projects have their own hurdles. Hiring experienced cabling professionals who utilize best practices for identification will minimize problems.
Practices & Standards
As the NEC (National Electric Code) only provides standards that ensure minimum safety standards, extra effort beyond compliance must be taken to attain effective cable management. To illustrate, the NEC mandates identifying the wires and cables of all electrical construction. However, materials and practices are not specified. It may be the case that in some cases military specifications must be implemented to complete the project. Otherwise, best practices based on industry standards and hard-earned experience obtained from previous jobs will provide the guidelines.
Basics for Speed and Efficiency
By using printers and easy-to-read fonts, not hand labeling, the numbering and naming system should be hierarchical and logical. Generally, the abbreviations will be four characters and item numbers will be four digits long. Using this methodology can allow teams to standardize the sizes of labels. In addition, it promotes readability and faster identification of wires and cables for technicians working inside a panel.
An important feature of best practices is also the creation of a master index of the components that will be used as guidance for project blueprints. Both items will make current and future cabling work faster and more efficient.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking solutions on behalf of our clients. Efficiently working together, Progressive teams get cabling installed and operating as fast as possible while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
Three Basics for Server Room Network Cabling Management
Disorganized cabling in the server room does not reflect well on your company. It happens to be also a safety hazard. Below are three basics for server room cabling management that will keep things tidy.
- Dispose of Unused & Damaged Cables
There may be bundles of ancient cables in your server room that were used for equipment that no longer exists or was replaced months or years ago. If cables are no longer needed, dispose of them. These outdated cables will clutter the workspace and make it difficult to make necessary changes or replacements.Due to storage limitations, cabling was piled on top of each other. After an extended amount of time this will damage cables at the bottom because of the weight. Crushed cables will result in signal degradation. - Labeling System
The cabling in a server room will often undergo revisions, replacement, and transfer. Imagine you are a new IT staff member who is walking inside for the very first time and you have to trace a particular cable to a specific device.To save time and money, use a simple labeling system for your server room. As part of the best practices of structured cabling, each end of a cord should be labeled, no matter how short. This will ease the process of identification.
IT staff can utilize color-coded labels to indicate the various kinds of equipment. For example, servers can have red labels, while routers use blue. A labeling system helps minimize downtime, saving money, because technicians can swiftly determine and replace the problem cable. - Minimize Long Cables
Excessively long cables can be a safety hazard due to the possibility of IT staff tripping over them inside a server room. Technicians should identify which of the cables are too long. Each should then be replaced by a cable of proper length or shortened. There are also commercial solutions for organizing long cables so they are much less intrusive.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking solutions on behalf of our clients. Efficiently working together, Progressive teams get cabling installed and operating as fast as possible while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.
How to Optimize Your Company’s Data Center – Part 1
Companies that process significant volumes of data are constantly searching for methods that will maximize their existing data centers. User demand is projected to increase rapidly due to the booming growth of video and mobile device usage for business. Optimization can be accomplished through a number of methods.
Virtualization
Virtualization optimizes server and switching infrastructure through the placement of frequently used servers and switches in the same location. The placement of cooling resources there will also increase cooling efficiency and conserve power. Other methods that minimize costs involve co-location and cloud storage.
Passive Infrastructure Standardization
Perhaps underutilized for data center optimization is passive infrastructure standardization. Passive infrastructure is comprised of the products needed to support a data center’s active equipment. This includes copper and fiber cabling, cabinets, racks, and pathway solutions. Structured cable management is crucial for standardizing passive infrastructure, so technicians must properly route patch and trunk cables. Below are four aspects of employing standardized passive infrastructure.
Fiber – When considering fiber structured cabling, management must decide whether to select single-mode or multimode fiber. Less costly, multimode fiber is ideal for shorter runs, such as those between racks in the same row or within the same rack. However, for longer runs spanning mega data centers or between several data centers, the preferred practice is using single-mode fiber.
Operations – In constant flux, data centers frequently undergo changes, additions, and moves. Technicians who perform tasks with standardized infrastructure can finish their tasks faster and with less effort. Moreover, a standardized infrastructure will be less costly.
Reliability – Standardized infrastructure with proper cable management reduces the potential for bent or broken fibers because there’s a proper place for every cable.
Cooling Costs – Using the correct diameter cabling will often increase airflow surrounding active equipment. Smaller diameters will decrease cooling and energy costs, with cooling costs representing the greatest expense in running a data center.
Part 2 will discuss Physical-Layer Management and Transitioning to Optimized Infrastructure.
Progressive Office Cabling
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking solutions on behalf of our client. Efficiently working together, Progressive teams get cabling installed and operating as fast as possible while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll free number (800) 614-4560 today.