Network cabling services basics

Installation overview
Project work usually starts at the telecom or termination closet. Experienced installers will run voice and data wiring from the closet to every workstation, cubicle, office, and conference room in your facility. If necessary, the network cabling services vendor will install hardware such as patch panels and conduits, or complete rack systems for streamlined wire management.

The installer clearly labels each wire and data port in the telecom closet and server room. This makes it much easier to locate the appropriate components if you need to make changes or fix problems.

Once the wiring is in place, the installer thoroughly tests it to make sure everything works properly and adheres to national and local codes. Using special equipment approved by the EIA or TIA, the installers test for point-to-point connectivity and signaling speeds, certify all new and existing data ports, and correct any problems they find. The process is similar in new installations and upgrades of existing cabling.

Types of cabling
There are three common types of “cat” (cable and telephone) cables, twisted copper wires for voice and data transmission:

• Cat 5 – This structured cabling is found in older wiring setups, and manufacturers still support them but no longer make them. It’s upward compatible with Cat 5e and acceptable for low-bandwidth applications if you’re not rewiring, but future projects will require Cat 5e or higher.
• Cat 5e – Capable of 100 MHz transmissions, Cat 5e is the most common and cost-effective cabling solution for most businesses. It fulfills most cabling needs and is compliant with most local building and installation codes.
• Cat 6 – This offers twice the performance of Cat 5e but carries twice the price tag. Cat 6 is better suited for complex applications like VoIP system connectivity and offers higher data rates than its predecessors. It’s backward compatible with Cat 5e and provides more bandwidth, which helps set you up for future needs.

While there currently is no industry-approved “Cat 7”, you can get 10 Gig Ethernet, which is the highest-rated cable available. It’s typically reserved for businesses like hospitals that need the most bandwidth to regularly transmit large amounts of data. While it offers the best performance, it can cost twice as much as Cat 6 and isn’t recommended for most businesses.

Cabling and wiring professionals can also install specialty cabling such as fiber optics or coaxial wire for maximum performance, but those projects can cost twice as much as a traditional setup using copper cabling.