The Benefits of Structured Cabling

 

Whether you're planning a new data center or renovating an existing one, structured cabling can help your business keep up with technology changes. It can also help you improve your efficiency. This type of cabling system is built to scale as your business grows. It allows you to easily add and remove devices, make upgrades and repairs, and move your network.

 

Standardization is key to a structured cabling system. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) collaborated with the Telecommunication Industry Association to create the ANSI/TIA-568 standard. This standard contains specifications and guidelines for residential and commercial cabling systems. In the early 1990s, ANSI/TIA-568 was published and is updated frequently. It covers a variety of cabling systems, from residential to industrial to commercial buildings. This standard also provides specific advice on designing and building a cable distribution system.

 

When a business commissions a new office building, they need the building to last for many years. They also need to have a reliable infrastructure to prevent costly downtime. A structured cabling system can reduce downtime by providing a standardized approach to cabling. This way, there is no need for costly rework and upgrades.

 

Structured cabling systems use trunks, patch panels, and other components to organize and simplify the installation of voice and data communications equipment. It can also support video conferencing and other applications. With a structured cable system, your IT department can focus on what matters, instead of trying to figure out why a network is not working. This system is easy to change and maintain, making it less likely for human error to occur.

 

An effective network should include redundancy. You need to be able to trace problems quickly and easily if you have to troubleshoot a problem. This helps you avoid unnecessary disruptions and ensures that your employees can work as efficiently as possible.

 

Structured cabling can be expensive at first, but will pay off in the long run. The costs of an effective network are far lower than the cost of downtime. It is easier to install and upgrade a network with a structured system, which makes it a better investment. This type of cabling system can be used for a variety of purposes, including video conferencing, security cameras, and door access control. It can be a great investment for your business, especially if you plan to update your data center.

 

Another benefit to structured cabling is the increased flexibility of the system. You can expand your network without disrupting the entire system. This allows you to expand your security system or add a new application without worrying about how you're going to add it. This is important when installing and upgrading your network, as it can save you time and money.

 

Unlike point-to-point cabling, a structured system uses a Main Distribution Area (MDA) to connect to other devices. This means that your hardware ports are connected to a patch panel at the top of the rack. This is then connected to a patch panel in the MDA via a trunk. Here are more details in relation to this topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_cabling.