Network Wiring

Written By Steve Bryan

At one point or another, successful companies reach the point where they will have to expand to accommodate new business. Along with adding employees and equipment, the network wiring will have to be upgraded as well.

Evaluating your existing network
On average, a network has a lifespan of about 9 to 10 years. Technology changes all the time. What worked a decade ago may not be suitable for your future needs. When planning for expansion, take a close look at the wiring you currently have in place and see where you can make improvements.

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables are pretty widely-used, so chances are that your network currently makes use of these very reliable cables. For a long time, Category 5, also known as Cat 5 cables, have been used in many voice and data networks. However, these cables are only rated at 100 megabits-per-second, and new installations require higher-trade UTP cables.

To provide growth for your company and network, it makes good economic sense to upgrade to the next level of network wiring. Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables, for instance, are becoming more common as they replace existing Cat 5 installations. Fiber optic cables are highly-efficient and can handle more of a data load than standard UTP cables.

Structured wiring basically involves following industry-wide standards when setting up, expanding, and maintaining a network. In a basic network, all the cables end up at a patch panel. This makes future maintenance a lot easier and less expensive. For your company, structured wiring may be the best long-term solution.

In-house versus contractor
Some companies prefer to have their own in-house IT staff handle the network wiring, but there are instances where hiring an outside contractor can actually be the best option. Contracting companies keep up with the latest industry standards and technologies and can offer solutions that you may not have considered.

When using a contractor, it's important to check their policy on service after the job is done. If possible, your IT staff also should work with the contracting company so that they can evaluate and fix minor network problems.

For a professional installation, get matched to multiple cabling and wiring providers by submitting a free BuyerZone request for quotes form.