Data Cabling, Cat5e Cat6/6a Cabling, Washington DC

Cat6 Q&A

4 Feb 2013

Data Cabling ,Cat5e ,Cat6/6a CablingWhat is Cat6? Cat6 components are interoperable between different vendors and are fully backward compatible. Cat6 has the same nominal Impedance of 100 Ohms as Cat5 and 5e components, but with tighter tolerance on Impedance variations. Transmission parameters are specified to 250 MHz, compared to 100 MHz for Cat 5/5e.


Do Cat6 components behave differently?   The diameters of Cat6 cables range between 0.21 to 0.25 inch (5.3 - 5.8 mm) compared to Cat5/5e’s range of 0.19 to 0.22 inch (4.8 – 5.5 mm).   Cat6 also has a tighter twist length to reduce crosstalk interference.


What about installation?  Cat6 cables and components are installed similar to Cat5/5e. There are design and installation issues that contractors and installers must pay greater attention to; including cable terminations and the pathway fill.


Will Cat6 supersede Cat5/5e?  Yes. The only question is when. The installed cost for Cat6 cabling can be about 20 % higher than Cat5e, but prices will decrease as usage increases.


Will Cat6 deliver what is promised?  Yes. There are no technical obstacles. Test parameters and procedures to qualify Cat6 components to ensure interoperability between different vendor’s products are in place and detailed.


What about the installed performance compared with Cat5/5e?  The biggest benefit is much-improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio at the Receiver:  Cat6 provides about 16 times better Signal-to-Noise Ratio compared to Cat5/5e over a wide frequency range.


Why do we need Cat6? The real question is “is Cat5e good enough for today and in the foreseeable future?”  The answer is “Yes, but…”. Network switch ports are often at the “marginally compliant” limits of the IEEE standard and susceptible to cabling and temperature variations. Cat6 provides fewer bit errors than Category 5e for 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T applications.

Cat5 Cat6 Network Cabling,Washington DC

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Cabling Lessons Learned

14 Dec 2012

Cat5, Cat6 data cables ,connected to serversA magnetic field when running low voltages. Unfortunately, when this unshielded cabling creates a magnetic field created. Any electrical cabling bear by disrupts communication, slowing transmission or preventing Network cabling is a tricky. Even with a solid background, technicians without adequate knowledge and training can make mistakes that may shut down an entire system. Here are some typical mistakes seen in network cabling.


Plan for the Future.  Cat5 may be the cheaper option, but can cause problems when upgrading is needed. Install Cat5e or Cat6 cables with options for upgrades to save labor costs.


Don’t Mix and Match. Twisted pair cabling was often out of the price range for many companies, so priority was given to data, while voice had with cheaper cabling. Now, VoIP has made voice equal to data in importance and need. Fortunately, a typical VoIP phone has a built-in Ethernet connection or pass-thru that is compatible with almost any data cable, which decreases installation costs.


Don't put Electrical Cables Next to Data Cables. Data cables use twisted pairs of wires inside that help produce transmissions altogether. This generally happens when the cables are running parallel, so if your cable is near a power line, lay them perpendicular to the power line.


 Not Laying New Cable When You Need To. Ethernet switches are convenient, but can be misused. Mini-switches are often added to provide a few extra ports; but this can cause bottlenecks and instability. Add extra cable instead, if more network resources are needed.


Forgetting Cable Management. “Ladder racks” add extra cost to an installation, but they also make the installation look better, run better, and easier to maintain and update. Also, don't forget to color code or label your cables, so technicians can actually find the right cable later.

Cat5e, Cat6/6a Cabling ,Structured Cabling

Do Not Use Basket Tray against a Tight Ceiling

8 Aug 2012

When a new office design is in its initial stages, it is critical to consider proper handling of utilities, power water and cabling inside the walls and ceiling. For cabling, it is necessary to use hooks to hold the cables above the drop ceiling. When the installation of cable involves large numbers of cables traversing lengthy expanses, it is normal to install cable ladder trays up in the ceiling to carry the bulk of the cable along the main corridors of the office. Cable ladders vary in quality and cable handling capabilities. The amount of cable and the budget of the project will determine the type of cable ladder that will be built.


A higher quality cable ladder will, in the long run, save time and money during the installation phase of a cabling project. The alternative to a cable tray is to install cable conduit. Considerations in choosing to use a cable ladder tray system include the following:

Read More

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

A Major Change Doesn’t Have to Cause Headaches

17 Jun 2011

Network Cabling, Data Cabling, Cat5e Cat6/6a Cabling,VOIP PhoneMany small business owners are fearful of making major changes to their office operations due to the fact that the disruption could cause headaches and service issues. When it comes to upgrading to VOIP service from traditional phone service the switch is likely much simpler and stress free than most small business owners would believe.


The old adage, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” may make perfect sense in many situations relating to small business operations but making the switch to VOIP phone service certainly isn’t one of them. Upgrading to voice over internet protocol can be performed quickly and seamlessly and the potential benefits of VOIP make the switch completely worthwhile for any size business.


Upgrading to VOIP phone service in your office eliminates virtually all of the complex equipment that you are required to keep on site for proper operation of your traditional land line service. As this equipment is removed from your office the excessive leasing and maintenance costs are removed as well which results in a substantially smaller monthly phone bill.


VOIP phone service can be implemented into your office environment in as little as fifteen minutes once you’ve got the phones. This means that you won’t lose any precious time communicating with your customers during the transition. Upgrading your current phone system is a virtually hassle free way to enhance your ability to stay in contact with customers and coworkers and to dramatically lower your cost of office operations.

Network Cabling Data Cabling, Cat5e ,Cat6/6a Cabling,savings

Immediate and Long Terms Savings of Upgrading to VOIP

13 Jun 2011

Network Cabling ,Data Cabling ,Cat5e, Cat6/6a Cabling,Voip Phone ServiceYou may be experiencing plenty of success with your current business phone system but when you analyze the available information you may realize and even greater opportunity by switching to VOIP phone service. Upgrading your current land line phones to VOIP will provide you with an immediate and noticeable savings on your operating expenses and those savings will continue and grow moving forward.Upgrading


With voice over internet protocol you’ll be able to realize immediate savings on your expenses by

Read More

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

Simplicity Reigns Supreme with VOIP

10 Jun 2011
 Network Cabling Data Cabling Cat5e Cat6/6a CablingWe’ve talked a bit about just how much upgrading your current business phone system to a VOIP phone system can save you in terms of space and complexity of equipment. With voice over internet protocol there is no need for a large closet full of expensive equipment that requires maintenance or that needs expensive additions if you want to upgrade. Small businesses are always looking for ways to simplify procedures and to trim operational costs that won’t interfere with the quality of service that they provide to their customer .
Read More
network cabling,, viop phone services

VOIP Keeps Up With the Speed of Business

6 Jun 2011

 network cabling,, viop phone servicesBusiness owners who have tried VOIP service in the past over a home internet connection may be skeptical about implementing the technology in their office.  It’s important to note though that there have been dramatic improvements made in VOIP over the course of the last few years.


Widespread use of broadband internet has made VOIP connections much faster and much more reliable.  In fact small business owners who make use of VOIP today experience service that is every bit as good, if not better, than a traditional land line service.


Accessibility is one of the most important factors in the success of your business.

Read More

Office Cabling, Network Cabling

Simplifying Communications with a VOIP Phone System

13 May 2011

Office Cabling, Network Cabling,voip communication Traditional business phone systems consist of a tremendous amount of complicated equipment tucked into a communications closet somewhere within your office.  If you plan on making upgrades, additions or you just want to grow your business that equipment will likely have to undergo some serious changes that could take valuable time to implement.  You are at the mercy of a field technician’s schedule every time a change or upgrade needs to be made to your equipment.


If you are looking for an easier, more efficient and more effective mode of phone communication

Read More

Office Cabling, Network Cabling

Keeping Your Small Business Updated and Up-to-Date with Network Cabling

4 Feb 2011

 Office Cabling ,Network CablingIn the days before office networking was common, upgrading necessary software programs could be a monumental expense for an office with several PCs.  A small business owner with meager margins may have struggled to pay for the purchase of individual programs for every single PC in the office in order to make a full upgrade.


Many software manufacturers now offer licensing agreements for networks that is a much more cost effective option for initializing a complete office upgrade for an expensive program.  A licensing agreement can make it possible for a business owner to upgrade the software on a

Read More

Network Cabling ,data cabling

Simplifying Your Office with Network Cabling

28 Jan 2011

Network Cabling ConfigurationInstalling network cabling in your office will result in a number of added benefits but it’s what networking will eliminate that could have the biggest impact in some environments.  The increased speed, increased performance and added security of a network are amazing attributes, but the ability to instantly share pertinent information is a feature that can truly enhance office operations.


In order to share programs or data in an environment where PCs operate independently, data needs to first be transferred to a back up medium before it could be shared with other users.  Employees would have to take the time to copy an important file or program to a CD or disk and

Read More