While 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).
Structured cabling is a telecommunications cabling infrastructure consisting of a number of standardized smaller elements called subsystems.
Given that labor costs for installation are much higher than the material cost for cable; your first requirement is to use the highest grade cable available. Cat5e is the most common, but Cat6 is becoming the standard as it is rated for a higher frequency signal, a somewhat higher cable quality, and has tighter specifications for noise and crosstalk. Both Cat5e and Cat6 can handle gigabit speeds.
Both Cat5e and Cat6 use 10BaseT “twisted-pair” cabling, because it is ideal for either small, medium, or large networks that need flexibility and the capacity to expand as the number of network users grow. In a twisted-pair network, each PC has a twisted-pair cable that runs to a centralized hub. Twisted-pair is generally more reliable than thin coax networks because the hub is capable of correcting data errors and improving the network's overall transmission speed and reliability. Also known as “up linking” hubs, they can be chained together for even greater expansion.
Should you install the cabling yourself, or hire a contractor? The smaller the office network, the more tempting it is to install cabling in-house. While this will save installation costs, it is important to be sure that all the cabling is installed and tested to professional standards. If your network encompasses multiple rooms-and/or floors, then hiring a professional cable installer that has experience with data communications networks is the safest and most practical route. General electricians may not be familiar with all the requirements. Experienced cable installers such as Progressive Cabling will know the right grades of cables and connectors and have the knowledge and equipment to install and test a cabling system.
Traditionally computer network designers developed their systems with the assumption that they will operate on a specific type of cable using a specific type of connector. Thus, each manufacturer has its own cable and connector "standard," but that standard was for their own system only. For example, here are some “standard” cable/connector systems in use:
A 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.
Installing network cabling in your business is one of the best decisions that you can make for increasing efficiency and improving customer service capabilities without increasing staff. Employees connected to a network can often share information with co-workers and customers in a manner that is much faster and much safer than is possible with PCs that operate independently.
There is no doubt that a functioning computer network can give you a number of advantages when it comes to conducting business and servicing customers. But serious problems with communication and security can arise though if there happens to be issues with your network cabling system. A network cabling system that hasn’t been properly installed or that
Small office networking projects consisting of only a few PCs and additional pieces of equipment may seem like a reasonably easy undertaking, but even a small networking project shouldn’t be taken lightly. The installation of new network cabling can have a number of advantages, but if the wrong materials are used or if the work is not properly performed, serious issues can arise in your business operations.
A consultation with a networking professional can shed some light on exactly what materials will be required for your networking job to achieve the best possible performance for the smallest investment. In most cases a network specialist will also be able to complete the installation in a much shorter time than a private individual would be able to on their own. This means that you’ll be able to
Installing 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
Many homeowners question whether or not installing network cabling in their home is a necessity. If you’ve got multiple computers and multiple computer users in your home, networking your PCs and equipment can have a number of advantages.
One of the single biggest advantages of installing network cabling in your home is that it gives you the ability to share equipment, data and programs between computers. A non-networked home that has three regularly used PCs might also require three separate printers and three separate scanners. Installing network cabling allows all three PCs to access the same printer, scanner or just about any
Installing network cabling in your office environment can have a profound effect on your employees’ ability to communicate with one another and with customers. This can give your business a unique edge over the competition that could result in a more loyal following and increased revenue.
Having all of your office PCs and equipment networked gives every employee access to important business application and pertinent customer and product data. Even employees who perform work from off-site locations can have the same access to information that your “in house” employees do which will allow them to efficiently and effectively fulfill customer needs.