Cable
networking has evolved a great deal. It is now mandatory for companies to invest in structured cabling systems that can support a complex operation. That is why many corporations have shifted to fiber optic communications from the traditional copper cabling systems. However, it is important to plan the infrastructure carefully and anticipate some problems that may come along the way.
Fiber optics is capable of resolving many issues in data communications. However, computer data is normally transmitted over ordinary copper cables because it's adequate at lower speeds and shorter distances. It is not advisable to utilize fiber cable in these ordinary instances because of the high costs.
Fiber is impervious to electromagnetic interference because the signals are transmitted as light impulses. That means that Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is not possible. Light waves are not effected by magnetism. This type of impediment can happen in coaxial and Cat5/6 cables because electricity can interfere with data signals over copper wires. Magnetic fields produce electrical current and this electromagnetic Interference is noise that can scramble data.
Fiber optic cabling also is much better at providing security of data since electromagnetic fields are not emitted around optical fibers. The data is restricted within the structure of the cable making it impossible to tap signals being communicated without cutting across the fiber. Emissions can not be easily intercepted. Hence, the fiber is by far most secure channel for carrying sensitive data.
Fiber is also a “non-conductive cable” because there is no metal in its design. It's a highly purified glass fiber. While copper is a conductive cable that can attract power surges and unwanted current. With fiber, outdoor varieties are costly because these call for special strength. Therefore, fiber optic cable is usually more cost-effective for indoor use. With copper, it is also important to get rid of the current commonly known as ground loop. The metal cable can run into signal transmission distortions due to slight transmissions in electricity.
Fiber optics also does away with threats coming from sparks. The transmission of signals can be hazardous because of this phenomenon. Although the spark itself is not dangerous, it can lead to greater problems especially in industrial and chemical plants where the air is polluted by possibly dangerous vapors. Fiber cable does not generate sparks because it carries no electrical current.
Installation of fiber is less difficult because of its small size and flexibility. And fiber optic cables can pass along the same route as electric cable without producing any noise. The size, lightness and elasticity of fiber optic cables also makes them suitable for short-term or portable installations. And they transmit signals over longer distances too. Amplifying the transmission capability of copper wire cables makes them more unyielding. Thicker copper cables are also hard to mount in spaces where the cables have to pass through cable conduits and concrete walls.
Fiber optic means higher bandwidth too. It has the capability to transmit high-speed signals over lengthy distances without repeaters, unlike copper cables. The fiber optic’s range is not infinite but it is way more than copper cable.
If you need help in figuring out the ideal cabling topology, contact us or call 202-462-4290 for a free on-site survey and proposal.
Your office cabling system is costly and complicated investment. It's also a commitment to an office design and structure that is not easy to modify. If you add more workstations later, new cabling might be needed.
Most offices have a structured cabling topology that hardwires the cables from wallplate to patch panel. With this system, modifications are less likely because the initial installaiont includes a planning process that should anticipate some expansion. By pre-wiring potential locations in an existing or newly-constructed building, future moves, additions or alterations are avoided. You can just transfer patched cables in the wiring closet. Also, it is critical to number the wallplates to match the corresponding patch panel number. This will make it much easier to relocate a workstation or to troubleshoot a connectivity problem.
These components will guide the layout of cables in order to fulfill the data access requirements of your office. All of the cables start at the patch panel on a mounted rack (about 19 inches wide) in the wall closet. From there, they traverse through the drop ceiling and down the walls to individual wallplates. Quite often a wallplate will host 2 or more connections. At the wallplate a short patch cable, usually 7 to 14 feet in length wil connect the computer, phone, printer or other networked device.
All cabling standards require that all of the eight conductors in Cat5, Cat5e and Cat6 cables are inter-connected in a precise color-coded pattern. The network cable connects each device but some devices can share a single cable. This is true for VoIP phones. Most VoIP phones have a jack for the network cable and then a jack on the phone for connecting the computer. This pass-thru enables the two devices to share one connection.
The Ethernet network cable connects devices on a LAN (local area network) such as personal computers, switches and routers. These cables are typically Cat5 and Cat6. These cables provide the infrastructure that connects the PCs, printers, router/modem and other peripherals to a switch. The cables are made up of stranded or solid copper wires. Stranded wires are not as susceptible to fractures but are more difficult to terminate. Solid Cat5/Cat6 also is less susceptible to electrical interference. These shielded cables are made up of braided strands of copper wrapped in a polymer layer and spiral copper tape. The shield is applied across the splices.
An Ethernet cable can be compared to an electrical power cord in that it can only extend a limited distances because of the electrical transmission properties. Meanwhile, wireless technologies (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or local wireless technology) have enhanced the reach of Ethernet in residential and enterprise networks. The standard Ethernet cable consists of four coiled pairs that terminate at the eight pins of the clipped connector or "RJ45" at both ends of a cable. At the wallplate is simply the female end of the same connector. The cable is made up of unshielded (UTP) or shielded twisted-pair (STP) cabling.
Shielding is not selected automatically during installations. The answer is, it affords the protection required for certain environments although there are also some downsides. One is mass. The single-shielded cable made of Ethernet weighs approximately 12 percent more than the unshielded cable. The double-shielded version is roughly 30 percent heavier. You may be putting together dozens or perhaps hundreds of individual shielded twisted-pair cables along a ladders tray above the ceiling, under a floor, or at the back of panels. The aggregate weight of these cables can collapse the mounting bracket.
Cable flexibility is also an important issue. Take care when you pull the cables through conduits. The cable shielding can make installation more difficult. The sole foil shield can crack while the sharp boundaries of the shield can scrape the insulation of individual wires. This can cut the wire and cause data transmission issues.
You have a number of shielding choices in for your Ethernet network. The single-shielded cable has the lightest protection. Double-shielded cables contain a foil and plate shield. It can ensure better protection against electromagnetic or radio frequency interference and reduce issues related to cable relocation. High-flex industrial cables are fabricated and protected for uninterrupted applications. These have special jacket materials to address industrial and outdoor concerns.
The structured cabling system is a comprehensive structure of wiring and the related hardware involved. This system ensures a complete and reliable telecommunications infrastructure. This network has several but mostly for providing telephone services or conveyance of data over a computer network. This type of cabling system also connects to the internet at the demarcation point.
As installers, we use standardized techniques in the completion and upkeep of cabling systems. This is important to guarantee satisfactory system performance on a technically complicated infrastructure. The benefits of adhering to these standards are that they insure stability of connectivity after setup.
A cabling connector refers to the mechanical device used in connecting a cable to a device or from one cable to another. The connector provides the coupling device that can minimize losses. For fiber, it permits light signals to move from one connector to another. On the other hand, copper enables electrical impulses to be conveyed. It is important to properly align these connectors to prevent connectivity breaks. Likewise, it should insure the efficient transmission of data. Connectors are crucial to the reliability of the total telecommunications network.
There are six subsystems in the structured platform. These are entrance facilities, equipment rooms, backbone cabling, telecommunication rooms and enclosures, the cabling, and the work area. The first consists of cables, network boundary, hardware for connection, security devices, and equipment attached to the network cabling. Backbone cabling consists of subsystems that provide inter-connection between telecommunication, network equipment and access facilities. Quite often these are the higher speed cabling components such as Cat6 and fiber that connect among the switches of an office.
Horizontal cabling connects from the desktops and phones to the telecommunications rooms and enclosures. The maximum horizontal cable length should be at no more than 100 meters. These desktop components extend out from the wall plate connection end of the horizontal cabling system to the equipment in the wall closet.
Call us if you need troubleshooting or if you have a need for cabling at your office due to expansion or relocation of your firm. We do free on-site surveys and quotes.
There is a variety of choices and settings for business firms that opt for high-tech phone services. Unlike the traditional telephones which provide rather limited features, the modern business telephone system can modify each feature depending on company preferences and needs. Contemporary phone service providers make it less intricate for business proprietors and employees by ensuring that their technology is rationalized and appropriate. This insures that existing clients do not transfer to competitors.
The acquisition of a consistent, reliable and flexible phone system does not only guarantee efficient communications among employees, clients, suppliers and other business contacts. It also enhancies productivity.
PVC is a common plastic materials for different many uses and applications. PVC is flexible, cost-effective and hard-wearing. Plasticized PVC is considered on of the most popular materials not only for electrical insulation but also for data and fiber optic cables too.
PVC is Polyvinyl chloride. It can be bent and turned many times without cracking or warping. This safety feature makes it appropriate for multiple applications. The infusion of plasticizers provides the needed softness for the insulation and covering of electrical and data wires. Cable wire manufacturers can configure different thicknesses
The old method of sending and receiving fax messages is fast becoming a thing of the past. The dedicated fax has been replaced by the new system which is called email to fax. This is an environmental-friendly and less expensive option of sending fax documents. It also takes less time compared to the usual method of faxing. Using fax to email gives you equivalent features that you get from a standard fax machine. This includes a valid local or toll-free fax number which performs precisely like a fax connected to a normal landline.
You can look for fax to email plans that will fit into your budget. Choose the one that is appropriate for your business or home requirements. At the same time, find out the benefits that this modern fax system provides to would-be users.
It is important to compare plans before you deciding on which package to get. Ask for a proposal and quotations so you can balance cost, installation fees, available numbers, mailbox storage, and promotional offers. Check some references. Know what other people have to say about the provider of fax to email services. And make a point to read customer reviews, forums and testimonials published on the web.
The email to fax provider has the capacity to secure information being sent through this system with protected data facilities. This is an essential factor in sending faxes from fax machine to email, email to fax machine, email to another email, or email to Internet interface. These data units utilize servers that feature advanced security technology. You can encode fax transmissions with Security Socket Layer or SSL encryption. It is also secured by the security set of rules of the email service company. All security measures are automated so that there is no human intervention to endanger the privacy and security of documents. Happy faxing!
The plenum space is described as that section of the building that makes possible air movement for HVAC systems. It also provides the space for conduits of heated, conditioned and return air circulation. The distance between the structural ceiling and dropped ceiling tiles is regarded as the plenum space.
The plenum space houses communication cables for telephone and computer networks. However, increasing neglect of cables in plenum areas create a major risk in case of fire.
Effective cable management is vital to maintaining tidiness in a data facility. Cabling racks are used to prevent twisting of optical cables and communications wiring. Remember that the cabling process is very clear-cut. Hence, if a single cable becomes misplaced, it can affect the whole bundle is and the repair process can involve a lot of troubleshooting. This is expensive and a waste of time.
The Local Area Network or LAN is made up of multiple networking devices. Some of these components are Unified Threat Management solutions, routers, servers, switches, modems, and cables.