Archive for the ‘Data Cabling’ Category

Computer Cabling

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

There is a growing list of network hardware that is necessary in the world of office technology. In order to connect all these devices in a way that they can communicate effectively, you need to make sure that both your infrastructure and local socket cabling are installed to a high standard.

Computers and servers are operating at extraordinary rates of data transfer, with multiple operations occuring at any one time between multiple devices. If you want them all to be passing their data effectively, it is crucial to ensure the computer cabling is installed correctly.

The cabling can service your company for a decade or more, yet it is a relatively small cost in proportion to the rest of your IT budget, which will need to be updated every year or so. The demands on your computer cabling infrastructure will typically increase over time,  so it is important when planning your cabling system to allow for growth so to ensure future flexibility. To make changes and additions at a later date can be disruptive and also expensive and are best avoided by getting it right the first time.

We offer a consultancy into what design is best in terms of future proofing your network, as well as determining what materials and hardware might be required. The ideal computer cabling at this point in time is the CAT6 standard, which will allow for speeds in excess of 1Gbps. This will allow your data to carry across the network at lightning fast speeds for years to come.

We are experts in this field and have a host of customers throughout Sydney and the surrounding areas who operate safely in the knowledge that they have a structured cabling system that meets their requirements.

Call us today for a free quote on 0406 611 538

Network Cabling FAQ

Monday, August 16th, 2010
  • What is Network Cabling?

network cabling is a pathway through which information can transport from one device to another. There are several types of cable that have been used in networks as they have evolved over the years and they are usually uniform throughout the cabling infrastructure, though sometimes different grades of cable are utilised depending on the requirements of the services they are intended for. CAT3 cable is typically used for telephone services, CAT5 or CAT5e is the most commonly used network cable and CAT6 is a step above. CAT6 is the most advanced, provides the best performance and is the wisest choice of cable when taking any possible future updates to your network into consideration. It can support up to 10Gb ethernet speed, therefore far exceeds current requirements for the office environment.

  • Can anyone install network cabling?

No. If you intend on installing fixed cabling of any kind you need to have the appropriate license to do so. For network/data/telephone cabling, you need to have an ACMA (Australian Communications & Media Authority) license, which consists of a series of short courses and a certain level of prior knowledge. You may work with a registered cabler but must have your work supervised and checked by them. Basically, it is both illegal and foolish to attempt the work yourself. Get a registered cabler who has the knowledge and experience to deliver an installation that meets the cabling standards requirements.

  • Does the network cabling have a warranty?

Yes, we are able to offer you a 5 year warranty on all cabling installations as long as they are not damaged or interfered with by third parties. We can offer up to a 20 year warranty if required, this depends on what product you choose. It will no doubt cost more, but if you want a cabling system that you don’t need to think about for 20 years, it’s worth it!

  • What is the cost per socket?

the cost varies between buildings as the building structure dictates how long the installation will take and how long each cable run will be. The complexity of the job will determine if you will need ducting/conduiting, require floor boxes, what size data cabinet and what type of cable is best suited.  All these variables affect the price. We are happy to inspect your site to provide a quote free of charge.

CAT5e office installation

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Last week we completed yet another CAT5e installation for one of our customers in Sydney CBD. The customer was relocating and needed the outdated office to be fitted out with network cabling that will allow for the high bandwidth and transfer speeds that their business is growing dependant upon.

The cabling was not able to be run through the roof (which is the most common way to distribute the cables as most offices have a false ceiling), so therefore we had to use the existing skirted cable distribution which lined the outside of the office perimeter. The panels had to be removed, then the cables were run inside them to their mapped location. There were 22 data points to be fitted in total, which was a strain on the capacity of the skirting, but it was able to be done satisfactorily without modifying it. Most of the locations had either 2 or 4 sockets on the 35mm boxed wall plates. Once the cables had been fitted to every socket, it was time to terminate the other end.

The cabling was connected to a 24 port patch panel in T-568A configuration, and each cable was tested to confirm it was validated at CAT5e standard speed. A wall mounted 9RU data cabinet was fitted inside the utility room (where all the cabling had been run back to) the new ADSL line was connected and tested as working.

They had also decided to install a Panasonic phone system inside of their data cabinet, which means that they can connect the telephone extensions directly to the patch panel ports. Each phone was patched to the associated socket, and the phone system was programmed accordingly.

The site was now ready for the customer to be up and running the follow Monday morning.

If you have a network or telephone cabling requirement, contact us and we will be happy to help you too.

CAT6 home installation

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

I have recently completed an installation at a home address in Chatswood, NSW. The customer requested that we install 19 CAT6 data points, spread throughout the various rooms in his newly bought house. The installation was to facilitate network and internet connection for both his servers (the customer has a background in IT and still manages some customers from home) and his family.

The house was not new, but built in the 1970′s and was very clean and in good condition. The roof, however, was extremely low and lined with rat droppings!

This is not the best news when you know you will be crawling through it for the next few days… but it had to be done! The CAT6 cables needed to run from the laundry, which is where a 42RU 800mm data cabinet would be installed, then up into the roof and eventually end up at a new socket in each respective room. Each cable was fixed along the roof beams in order to keep the cables out of harm’s reach, and once the cable had reached the intended room, it was run inside the wall cavity and connected to a fixed socket (either single, double or triple ports depending on location requirements).

Once the cables had been installed, the 24 port patch panel was terminated and each socket was labelled corresponding with the patch panel port. The ADSL line was terminated to the last port, therefore the customers modem could be connected inside the cabinet. Every socket was then validated and returned as a pass.

We supplied a 24 port 1 gigabit switch in order to enable each socket to have access to the network and the web, and a wireless access point was supplied in a strategic position to allow wireless access for additional wireless dependant devices.

After three days of hard work, we had put in place a solution that will give the customer super fast, reliable internet and network speeds for many years to come.

If you need to discuss your network requirements whether at home or the office, contact us today to see how we can help you.

Beware of cabling cowboys

Monday, August 9th, 2010

I do a lot of cabling… and I mean A LOT! When you have done as much as I have, you quickly realise that there are some installers out there who really don’t care at all about their customer or the cabling standards. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked in to correct faults in what looks like a rats nest. Usually this is due to “cowboy” contractors who walk in, get their line/s working in the fastest (and worst) way possible, then run for the hills before anything goes wrong.

For example, I attended a site in Manly a few weeks ago to connect a new line into an office suite and due to the poor quality of the connections from previous “cowboys”, I inadvertently disconnected the main line of a business in a neighbouring suite. That was embarrassing! It is hard to convince someone that you were trying to fix something, not break it! I was able to get both lines up and running again quite quickly, but due to bad workmanship from previous contractors my time along with an innocent business was disrupted.

I am getting tired of seeing cabling in this state, and am trying to encourage people to invest in correcting their sites cabling. I always tell my customers that the best way to avoid persistent faults or down time is to invest in a structured cabling system. You can converge you office cabling by installing CAT5e or CAT6, which can deliver either phone or data to any socket in your office.

In saying that, make sure the installer knows what he is doing!

Does he have a Master Cabling license?

The installer should have a card verifying that he is trained and licensed.

Does he have experience?

Your installer should have references and/or photos to give you an idea of what you can expect.

Does he ‘talk the talk’?

Your installer will be able to consult you and be able to verbalise the design and functionality proposed by the suggested installation. Get a formal quote too.

Finally, if you think something is not up to scratch, say something. Check the work and make sure it is neat, tidy and organised. Get records produced for the connections and try to implement a cabling system where you can make changes yourself.

If you take heed of this advice, you will avoid faults, eradicate down time and minimise call out fees for small changes/moves. I can guarantee it!

Other sites: faldas de moda en Colombia