Network cabling is a backbone of every industry. Even the wireless technology improves a lot these days , still it can’t replace the wired infrastructure.

Cabling structure should be planned upfront . This will helps to avoid cabling mess in future and make system more reliable and easy to troubleshoot.

Network Cabling Structure

By network cabling , it means internet or data cables

Why need Network Cables ?

1. To provide internet access to all devices like – computers , servers , payment machines , etc.
2. To provide internal network access to all devices like – printers , scanners , shared resources.

Why need clean mess-free cabling structure?

1. It helps to troubleshoot the system in case of failures.
2. Helps to make system flexible and easy to expand.
3. Helps to save money over the course of long time as minimize the service calls .
4. Proper wiring infrastructure impoves the network efficiency by managing bandwidth and hence makes system smooth.
5. As less troubles, it helps to create good working environment.

Voice Cabling

By voice cabling , its means cabling structure for phones.

How voice cabling different from network cabling?

1. Depending upon the type of phonesystem , cabling structure varies accordingly.
2. In the traditional phonesystems , all phone cables required to come at demark point inside the campus, where these cables terminated on BIX Blocks , NOT on patch panels as in network cabling.
3. Traditional phones works on one-pair and 48 volts system , so even cat 5e cable was fine .
4. In some cases wire harness is required to convert wiring structure according to new updated phonesystems.

Why need better cabling for Voice/ phonesystems?

1. With change of time , Phonesystem also need better cabling structure for better performance.
2. Cat6 cable helps to reduce power loss over the length of wire.
3. Properly labeled and dressed cables are easy to troubleshoot and make system more reliable
4. Better cabling structure makes system more flexible and easy to expand.

Basic Cabling Types

1. Cat3
2. Cat5e
3. Cat6
4. Cat6a
5. Cat 7
6. burial /Outside cable
7. Shielded cables
8. Plenum and riser cables
9. Fiber optics cables

Why different types required ?

Best Answer in SPEED vs COST vs Law and codes

IT room / Network rack Setup

All the cables from offices , warehouse, wall ports etc come to one point . Most recommended setup is network rack setup , But it may varies according to situation.

Why rack setup?

1. Centralized UPS power Bacup to safe the devices from power failures and surges
2. Most of network devices are rack mountable , makes setup easy and reliable.
3. Clean and mess-Free setup
4. One place to troubleshoot .
5. Utilization of space and proper ventilation.

Demark Point

Every building or campus has Demark point , where the main lines from service provider comes in. This is a place where you will see old BIX blocks and thin multiple color cables.

Why IT room and Demark point seperation required ?

1. Number of technicians comes to Demark point to provide new service and troubleshoot the existing one ..
2. Demark pint access can’t be blocked as other tenants in a building may required the access.
3. we don’t want anyone to come inside company IT room and mess with system there..
4. Company IT room must be accessed by authorized people in order to trace the events.

Terminations

Termination of cables depends upon the system being used. Still two basic terminations are DATA and VOICE

DATA means network/Internet cables

VOICE means cables required for phones.

Most preferred way is Patchpanel terminations but sometimes BIX termination is required for VOICE termination.

Cables are made to withstand climate changes but in extreme conditions cable life compromises. In order to resolve these issues special cables are there to handle these changes effectively.

Burial Underground Cable  – Electrical conducting wires inside the cable are encased in a solid thermoplastic sheath that seals out moisture and protects the conducting wires within.

For extra protection metal and PVC conduits can be used.

Why Cable certification required?

1. In order to avoid human mistakes , every cable need to be certified with a certified tester .
2. Tester gives the results shows any Loss or damage to wire.
3. Customer can get print or email report of all test results with date and time stamp.
4. Cable certification helps to improve efficiency and reliability of system .
5. Provides assurance to customer that work done is according to quote and mark.

Why cable Labeling important?

1. Good labeling makes troubleshooting easy.
2. Makes the work more professional.
3. Proper color code labeling for voice and data cables helps to understands the system and makes work more clean and beautiful.

Why final testing Important?

1. After the labeling and certification done, its good practice to test the live cables.
2. Random testing helps to make sure that cables are good.
3. Live testing of cables hepls to find any signal and power loss over the length of wire.

Cable length, Types and Other factors

Cat-1     This is used for standard telephone (POTS) wiring, or for ISDN.

Cat-2     This is form of wiring that was used for 4Mbit/s token ring networks.

Cat-3     It was popular for use with 10 Mbps Ethernet networks  but has now been superseded.

Cat-4      it can be used for networks carrying frequencies up to 20 MHz. It was often used on 16Mbps token ring networks.

Cat-5      This is the network cable that allow data at 100 Mbps and slightly more Cat 5 cable is now obsolete and therefore it is not recommended for new installations.

Cat-5e      It has a slightly higher frequency specification that Cat-5 cable as the performance extends up to 125 Mbps.

Cat-6      have an outer foil or braided shielding. , helps to prevent crosstalk and noise interference. Cat-6 cables can technically support speeds up to 10 Gbps, but can only do so for up to 55 metres

Cat-6a      The Cat 6a cables are able to support twice the maximum bandwidth, Cat 6a cables utilise shielded which is sufficient to all but eliminate crosstalk. However this makes them less flexible than Cat 6 cable.

Cat-7   It comprises four individually shielded pairs inside an overall shield. It is aimed at applications where transmission of frequencies up to 600 Mbps is required.

Cat-8      These cables are still in development, but will be released in the foreseeable future to provide further improvements in speed and general performance.

Future plans should always consider due to following reasons

1. New applications demands more bandwidth , so better infrastructure required.
2. New phone and internet connection requirement for new employees.
3. IT room location and size should be able to handle company expansion.
4. Better planning minimize the cost over the time .
5. Planning makes the system easy to manage after.

Network cable warranties

Network cable normal warranty is 25 years  but it all depends upon the number of factors below

1. Purpose of cable for which it is being used , Example surveillance, data, voice , Audio etc.
2. Is the cable right for the job?
3. are the weather and climate condition appropriate for the cable?
4. Cable length
5. Quality and brand of cable
6. Expertise of technician