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structured cabling, Data Cabling, cabling tester

Facts about Data Cable Testing

6 May 2015

structured cabling, Data Cabling, cabling tester Testing always plays a vital role in the process of installing new cables or servicing existing ones. Regular testers for data cabling include length, wire crimper map, attenuation, return loss, and DC loop resistance.

Complex Cabling Needs

Cabling infrastructure requirements have become more complicated. More standards are being developed for cabling professionals in testing and troubleshooting copper and fiber cables. And there are special requirements as well as downsides in the implementation of new technologies. From 10BASE-T to 100BASE-TX to 1000BASE-T and now to 10GBASE-T. It is now more crucial to keep in step with the most up-to-date techniques in cable testing too. In short, cable testing infuses a higher degree of assurance that installed cable links will attain the preferred transmission capacity for your data communications.

Cabling Tester Categories

Cable testing instruments have been manufactured with unique features for specific tasks. Costs, performance, and applications vary. These depend on the required functions. The three main functions are certification, qualification and verification. Although certain attributes overlap, each category answers a particular testing prerequisite.

Certification facilitates conformity to standards defines by the industry. These are instruments signal a “Pass” or “Fail” towards data testing compliance within standardized industry norms. These testing instruments will find out whether a cable link conforms to a category or class such as Cat6 or Cat5e. It is the last step required by most structured cabling installers towards approval of a new installation.

Qualification determines if the existing cable is capable of supporting specific network speeds. This special class of testers is supposed to meet the up-and-coming requirements of network technicians who troubleshoot data networks. These testers perform checks to make a decision on whether a present cable link supports the requirements for fast or gigabit Ethernet. With these instruments, network technicians can identify and isolate cabling issues. While Continuity testers do not perform the series of tests set down by these standards and are not considered certification tools.

Verification makes sure that cabling connections are correct. This type of tool performs a continuity test. It guarantees all wires in the cabling link have been attached properly to termination points at each end. For twisted pair cabling, there is an appropriate pairing of the wires. Such testing tools also confirm wire pairing and find out installation flaws such as split pairs. These can also help in troubleshooting by working with a toner to pinpoint a certain cabling link. These testing tools do not give out any information regarding bandwidth and data integrity.

If you need your cabling tested or certified, contact us!

Is it Practical to Use Cat6 Cable?

26 Apr 2015

Stu Kushner

cat 6,structured cabling, Data Cabling Data volume has grown extensively. Also, the processing capacity to users continues to get grow. Specialists in data management forecast that information production will be 44 times larger in five years with enterprises needing to process and safeguard 80 percent of the new data.

Data Cables

For these reasons, you might need to become more familiar with different types of cabling. There is Category 5 (Cat5) cable but it is only capable of transmitting 1000 megabits data rate per second on an Ethernet network. Transfer of data demands are increasing due to new and more sophisticated applications. That is why many companies prefer to work with Category 6 (Cat6) cables. Cat6 has a maximum data transfer of 10,000 megabits per second. Cat6 is also backward compatible which means your Cat5 connectors will plug i and work (at the lower speeds).

Future Proofing

Cat6 infrastructure guarantees that your system will be relevant well into the future. This allows users to easily cope with any modifications, new features or technological developments. The Cat5 standard has been used for a long time. However, your enterprise needs adequate bandwidth to handle these continuing and future changes. It is not merely a possibility or “let's say” situation. It is to be anticipated as the online experience continues to progress.

Demand for Cat6 escalates as the world-wide web is now offering premium video streams, online applications, highly-responsive and media-heavy portals. If you decide to upgrade to a more reliable network, consider Cat6 cables. It is fast becoming the new standard in this industry.

Downsides

Cat 6 is more costly compared to Cat5e cables. On average, we are finding that projects cost about 20-25% more. This is because you are not guaranteed full speed unless all the components operate at gigabit speed. So, you need Cat6 cable, connectors, patch panels and Gigabit switches too. If one part is not rated as gigabit, the network will run at Cat5e speeds. Call or contact us to help you make this decision.

Nevertheless, experts say Cat6 will sooner or later surpass Category 5e. And the initial upfront costs will pay future productivity gains for many, many years to come.

Essential Components for Wired Networks

10 Apr 2015

Stu Kushner

Data Cabling ,Network cabling, DC Be sure to purchase the correct components before you install a wired network. The major components consist of the cable, router and network adapters.

Cables

You should opt for fast Ethernet or the 100 Base T cable. Ethernet (RJ-45) looks like telephone cables with somewhat thicker wire and jacks. It is also known as Cat 5e or Twisted Pair Ethernet with corresponding speed ratings of 10, 100, and 1,000. Every PC requires a separate network adapter.

Things to Avoid in Running Network Cabling

28 Mar 2015

Stu Kushner

What can cabling that has not been installed properly do?

It can lead to a lot of negative outcomes such as paralyzed network performance, maintenance troubles and hidden costs. Network cabling can be especially troublesome if it is installed by individuals without the proper knowledge and tools. When it comes to twisted pair cabling, there are many factors that you need to consider.

In the past, many companies installed different cable systems since twisted pair cabling was expensive. At present, full installation is still costly although a greater part of the expense is labor since raw cables is not pricey. Cable management is another concern. Use of ladder racks means additional cost but it reduces upkeep. Also be sure you label cables and to make use of color codes.

Unshielded twisted pairs are more practical in terms of usage. Magnetic fields are produced by low voltages that pass through your cables. This is a vital property of the communications cycle. And if you run unshielded cables along with electrical wires, the magnetic field can be interrupted. The communications becomes corrupted or noisy. You can expect that transmissions will not make it from one point to the other. Another possibility is that transmission rates will become slower. The cables should be perpendicular with electrical lines instead with the electric wires inside of shielded tubes at cross points.

Do not attempt to run cable alongside fixtures that create “noise”. Fluorescent lamps, motors and devices that generate electrical or magnetic interference will distort your cabling infrastructure. Install a data cable conduit that will create a buffer from these hazards. Also figure out the total distance of each cable. This is usually up to 100 meters. However, if cabling data rates reaches 10 to 40 GBPs, be attentive about distance restrictions related to the kind of cabling you plan to use. If you will run 10 GBPs for a maximum of 100 meters over twisted pair cabling, it is best to use Category 6 cabling.

Be aware of local codes.

This is important for safety concerns. In many areas, using PVC-covered cables is not allowed in air-handling spaces. When PVC burns, there is toxic emission that may prove dangerous to firefighters and other safety personnel who will try to navigate the location during emergencies. Failure to follow rules can lead to fines and forced replacement of cabling infrastructure. Contractors must be mindful of these regulatory standards.

Patch Cables and Twisted Pair Cabling

21 Mar 2015

Stu Kushner

The patch cable is used to link up two network devices. This type of cabling is usually a Cat6 or a Cat5e cable tha Cat5e ,Cat6/6a Cabling,patch cables t connects personal computers to the wall plate or provides the short interconnects among the switches, routers and the patch panels in the wall closet or Server Room. These make use of stranded wires instead of solid to increase flexibility. It also lessens the risk of cracking when you unplug the cable. There is also a variety of Ethernet patch called the crossover cable. It is used to hook up two PCs together and sometimes to interconnect switches.

Ethernet Systems

Ethernet systems ensure adaptable and economical methods of conveying voice, data, and multimedia over integrated networks. In fact, Ethernet patch cords have become very common. These wall to wall cables gave rise to the growth of generic and structured cabling systems. Today, these are used practically for all networking components regardless of industry or application. However, there are concerns that you need to consider. Whereas modular attributes and profusion of patch cables denote absolute universal use, there are differences that can reduce interchangeability. Some of the disparities originate from various wiring configurations of cable conductors and connector pins.

Twister Pair Cables

For this type of cabling, two conductors are coiled to prevent electromagnetic interference (commonly known as EMI) that comes from external (usually electrical) sources. One example is the electromagnetic radiation caused by uncovered twisted pair cables or UTP as well as cross talk produced by adjacent electrical wires. The process of shielding generates a conductive barrier to lessen these electromagnetic waves. It also creates a conduit for conduction so that currents and data can traverse freely. Shielding can be applied on individual pairs or as a group of pairs.

Twisted conductor pairs form a secure circuit. The voltages carry the same magnitude or amplitude. However, one is positive while the other is negative. Incidentally, crosstalk takes place if the electromagnetic field turns out a signal that is too big or strong and intereferes with a nearby pair. The sound is like a fusion of the two fields by means of a swap of the energy between them. Certain components of these signals are passed on to each other during this exchange of energy.

As a result, here is an ensuing increase in the level of “noise”. External sources of EMI and RFI create signal interference in a similar manner. These cause distortion of the signals that go to your office and communications equipment.

Overall, these are the things that you should take into account with regards to twisted and patch cabling.

Please feel free to contact us if you need help with your office cabling project!

Structured Cabling,Washington DC New York City

Basics of Riser Cables

6 Mar 2015

Stu Kushner

Structured Cabling,Network Cabling Data Cabling Riser cables were designed for non-plenum vertical applications like between the floors of multi-story buildings. They are also described as backbone cables. These cables serve as the main conduit of a distribution system for data, video or voice. It originates from the point where communications go in through a particular edifice. This cable comprises part of the structure backbone. Other components of this facility are the cable corridors, telecommunications cabinets, equipment rooms, correlated hardware, and support facilities. This cable variety must be fire resistant in accordance with electrical codes. Nonetheless, specifications are not as stringent compared to plenum cables.

Understand its Uses

Riser cables may be used for different forms of data communications which also includes CCTV video access. It is ideal as well for voice communications. One major concern is that requirements vary for each service. Hat is why planning can sometimes be quite complicated. Building managers are often pressed to predict their requirements given limited time and expertise. Quite often they will recommend creating split riser systems for multiple applications which follow parallel routes through the corridors, closets, and equipment areas.

How do you select the medium?

Perhaps, the primary concern is to stay within budget. You can expect system designers to resort to trade-offs in delivering a broad assortment of services within the backbone system. Other factors that may influence their design are the following:

Provide an adaptable medium in relation to supported services

Identify the necessary useful life span of backbone cabling

Consider the technical needs of users

Standards are on hand to serve as a guide in the design of riser cable systems. There are appropriate benchmarks for optical and copper cable backbone structures. Some of the backbone cable categories include:

Copper-shielded and unshielded twisted-pair or UTP cables

Coaxial and twin axial cabling configurations

Single mode and micron multimode optical fibers

Physical locations supporting riser cables take into consideration the telecommunications service entrances and adjacent equipment rooms containing the main cross-connect. This can extend to the telecommunications closets that serve a particular location, intermediate cross-connects that serve a number of telecommunications closets, or horizontal cross-connects for a remote telecommunications closet or just one level of the building. The telecommunications cabinet is the point of interaction between backbone systems and parallel (same floor) wiring.

Riser cable systems in multiple-story buildings need to pass through equivalent closets making use of connecting conduits between the floors. Said design provides each floor access to the backbone and allows circuits to be distributed to all levels. The conduit and sleeves should go higher than the floor level by at least an inch and fitted with fire-stopping material. These should also adhere to electrical codes. The riser or backbone cable system essentially acts as the core of telecommunications infrastructure.

Data Cabling,Structured Cabling, Cabling Design-Washington DC

Things to Avoid in Running Network Cabling

28 Feb 2015

Stu Kushner

What can cabling that has not been installed properly do?

network cabling,Data Cabling It can lead to a lot of negative outcomes such as paralyzed network performance, maintenance troubles and hidden costs. Network cabling can be especially troublesome if it is installed by individuals without the proper knowledge and tools. When it comes to twisted pair cabling, there are many factors that you need to consider.

Structured Cabling, Cabling, Washington DC

Practical Pointers in Network Cabling

20 Feb 2015

Stu Kushner

StructuredCablingFiberOpticsCat6a10Gig Networking cabling is not a simple task. It entails expertise and attention to detail. What are valuable insights that network technicians need to know about for effective cabling and installations?

Cable length is essential.

The telecommunications standards prescribed by the Telecommunications Industry Association and Electronic industries Alliance (TIA-EIA) states that maximum distance end to end of cables should be no more than 100 meters.

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

Network Infrastructure Planning

28 Jan 2015

Stu Kushner

What is a network?

The network is classified as a group of hardware and software components that connect devices within a company and link that entity to other companies in the world-wide web. The hardware for networking consists of network interface cards, computers, routers, switches, patch panels and cables. Software refers to network services and protocols that facilitate communications. The hardware components should be installed and configured before the software and operating systems are initiated. Network communications serve as the core foundation of the whole system. It makes up the services that build the network’s framework. The key is to determine the infrastructure based on the objectives that you have set so the architecture can scale up as a companies needs grow.

The Operating Systems

Begin by understanding the current setup. This will allow you to establish how to plan for your operational targets and objectives. Draw a full map of the current network. Include these all cabled connections, server information, location of devices in the network, and all of the users. Complete this inventory first. Then, proceed with reviewing all available information in combination with the future goals. This will enable you to fully understand the required changes needed for deployment.

The operating systems or OS installed on computers make up the primary software components in a cabling infrastructure. The OS contains protocols that facilitate network communications. It also consists of applications and services that secure the data. Conventional features include connectivity, security, control of access, and routing/switching functions. There should an existing network before installing servers to support applications. These consist of file, print, web, messaging, application, and database servers.

Meticulous Planning

Document the physical hardware and software components

Decide on the actual location of each components.

Determine configuration requirements.

Buy, assemble and mount the hardware.

Install and configure your OS, apps as well as other software.

Be sure to understand the network’s physical design. If there are multiple heavy or data intensive workloads, servers will need more bandwidth and connections to deal with the data traffic. Network resources need to allocated among the numerous applications which mean that vital applications can affect performance considerably. Planning becomes an integral component of development and should be specific to the business plans.

Keep track of existing workloads and use performance results as a reference. There should be proper tests to determine the performance of your network. Speculation is not advisable because that can cause mistakes and overspending.

As always, Progressive Office is available to assist with project planning. Please call or email us anytime.

Structured Cabling,,Office Cabling.connectors

Important Facts About Cabling Infrastructure

23 Jan 2015

Stu Kushner

Network cabling that has not been installed properly may result in various communications issues. Even minor problems such as a connector that has not been terminated properly can prevent Power over Ethernet from performing well.

Wiring Standards

See to it that you use appropriate wiring patterns which are T568a and T568b. Refrain from bringing together T568a and T568b in the same cable. And always use premium quality Cat6 or Cat5e cables. We prefer solid over stranded wire.

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