Advantages of Structured Cabling

Structured Cabling: What It Is and Why It Matters

So why is structured cabling important? A structured cabling design for your infrastructure allows all linked hardware to work over a common data cabling system. Thus, it builds a complete telecommunications' infrastructure. You can then use this infrastructure for your telephone services, transmitting data through your computer network, or for other purposes such as CCTV, AV, Access Control, and BMS where you may need cabling.

When your business has structured cabling, you can enjoy consistent and predictable performance. Furthermore, it improves system accessibility and streamlines your cabling infrastructure. Also, it provides fault-finding and quick replacement for anything if something goes wrong. This is done by utilising spare ports that were once used for other hardware but can be moved to serve others

Structured cabling involves designing and building the best practices for your telecommunications infrastructure. This exercise helps to standardize your telecom cabling infrastructure by facilitating collaboration, current requirements, and future possibilities into one cabling system and hardware design

What is structured wiring?

Described as building or campus telecommunications cabling, structured cabling is an infrastructure that consists of several standard components, such as patch panels and multi-fibre or multi-copper data cables. Regardless of manufacturer, the industry standards are ratified to provide a certain system performance to match the chosen cabling infrastructure to install. Furthermore, this system standard will be able to handle the transmission of all hardware systems equally regardless of system type and function

Through standardization and design, the required fiber and copper ports are deployed and distributed throughout the office or working area. These generally go back to a central communications room. In addition, local communication rooms are used and linked back to the main room in larger spaces. These IT rooms allow for immediate need and future development. This enables active ports to be managed, operated, or taken out of service in an inactive environment.

This maximizes system availability, redundancy, and future proof cabling system usability.

Structured Cabling vs. Conventional Cabling

An alternative to structured cabling is something called "point-to-point cabling", which you can also call "conventional cabling". This would be where each system has its own dedicated data cabling and doesn't link together.

For example, the following systems might have their own dedicated data cabling:

• Computers
• Telephones
• CCTV
• Audio Visual
• Access Control
• BMS
• Alarms
• WIFI

The main difference between the two is when the main distribution area is used for structural cabling. In structural cabling, there is the main distribution area, or communications room, where all the cables in your structural cable network come together. This makes it easy to make any changes, additions, or adjustments with just a few patch bones.

In legacy or point-to-point cabling, on the other hand, each piece of hardware is connected to a separate cabling network. This was commonly seen in legacy telephone systems where the phone system might not be in the communications room but rather at the entry point. In addition, it was commonly seen with CCTV systems where the cabling would go directly to a security office rather than the main communications room

The problem arises where the different systems cannot access one another hardware. Data cabling links would be installed to link them together. However, with a structured cabling system, all data cabling goes to a central point and the linking together is done through the same switches and within the same cabinets. Thus, much more efficient and less room for error and problems

Where and where do you need structured cabling?

Which businesses require structural cabling? If your business has a computer network and/or telecommunications system, you will require structural cabling. Furthermore, you should install cables throughout your entire cable structure. The more you can bring all hardware onto a common cabling infrastructure, the better the overall design will be.

Even if you now have a small business with a phone line and two computers, if you ever want to grow or expand your business, you should invest in structured cabling. When you're starting, it's a good time to think about your structured cabling. Thus, it will be just as easy to add new cables and hardware to your growing system when it starts with a future-minded design and standard of cabling

What Does Structured Cabling Look Like?

The overall data cabling system consists of the following elements

• Data Cabinets
• Patch Panels
• The physical data cable and its standard (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8)
• The backbone links connecting multiple cabinets
• The user outlet module
• The Patch leads to connect the cabling to active hardware

The cabling will run from the central cabinet or multiple cabinets in larger spaces to each outlet regardless of hardware. For example, an outlet will be the same for a PC, Telephone, or CCTV camera.

The single cable from a central point is called a "Star Network". This way if one cable is damaged the whole system isn't compromised.

The cables terminate at individual outlets at the user end. At the cabinet end, they terminate onto 24 or 48 port "Patch Panels". This combines outlets into compressed panels to fit inside data cabinets.

Patch leads are used on both ends to connect to active hardware. At the user end a patch lead will go from the outlet module to the PC, Telephone, etc. Furthermore, at the cabinet, the patch lead will connect that individual patch panel port to the active switches and routers

Finally, when more than one cabinet is present, "Backbone Cabling" is installed. This is copper or fibre cabling that links the cabinets together. Generally, this is undertaken patch panel to patch panel

What Are the Benefits of Structured Cabling? 

Again, the organization is the keyword here. The advantages of a well-organized cabling system are:

• Movement, augmentation, and transformation within the same user space. Multiple systems can use a single cabling outlet
• Time-saving; With structural cabling systems, cable and port tracing becomes an easy task. This logical, organized approach not only makes the changes easier but also saves you time.
• Aesthetics. Never underestimate that an organized cabling system will look much better than several systems installed with their own dedicated wiring. This is especially true at the cabinet and patch panel end where they can be combined and patched in a common system
• One of the most important benefits of structured cabling is that it can reduce human error and time-lapse. In a structured cabling system, if there is a disconnection or damage on a single port, the whole system isn't affected. Also, any spare data ports can be immediately used to move that hardware and get it running quickly

Further articles on 'The Importance of Structured Cabling'
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What is Structured Cabling?

What is Structured cabling in Networking? It is the design and installation of a cabling systems that will support multiple hardware use systems and be suitable for today’s needs and those of the future. For example cat5e, cat6 or cat6a can be part of a bundled structured cable design cable. Thus providing the infrastructure to connect a phone, PC, CCTV Camera, Wi-Fi, TV or Music server. In this instance all by just plugging in differently at the main cable area where all the cables originate from

Why is Structured Cabling Important?

Without a cabling infrastructure that is structured for all technology your future growth will be limited. Indeed one of the biggest examples of this is old telehone wiring for PBX systems that now need upgrading for VoIP. Legacy CCTV cabling and WiFi cabling is also increasingly being required be changed recently due to increase in technology and surpassing old cabling standards

Data Cabling Standards

The data cabling systems is administered under a guideline of set cabling standards so that installations follow a consistently of installation and quality with an allowance of expansion and coverage of the technologies it is installed to link and operate

The standards cover a range of expectations such as

• How the cabling should enter a building and be terminated
• The type, construction and size of the entrance facility
• The construction and size of the communications room and cabinet
• The number of cables to allow per user and workspace area
• The containment allowances for these cables
• Installation and terminating guidelines for the cables
• Testing and labelling expectations

Network Cabling Design

What is structured cabling in networking design based on? The correct design of the structured cabling will provide predictable performance and aid future expansion. Furthermore assist in easier future relocations, moves and changes

In essence it’s looking at the cabling design like an architect would do with a building or home and see how best to bring all the required elements together and work as one harmonious system. If the cabling is lacking in design the technology systems will lack in performance and operation

The design will consider whether to cable directly to each location where desks and furniture are not expected to move or whether to cable to distribution points which then link locally to desks allowing for easier future moves and re-arrangements of desks and furniture

The structured cabling system should cover all elements of the building hardware and technology requirements and bring them all into a central design. This design would include the cabinet space and locations and whether they are in a single location or split over several floors and how the various locations are linked whether via copper or fibre optic cabling. The containment and spaces that the cabling will travel through will also be a design consideration. The cabling must be correctly contained and supported to enable longevity and performance. The structured cabling spaces and containment must also allow for future growth of additional cables to travel through these areas. 40% fill on initial install and 60% maximum fill is the BICSI standard for example

Categories of Cabling

Structured cabling can consist of a single specific standard of data cabling such as Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a or fibre optics. It also in some cases will specify different categories of cable dependant on what has been requested and specified by each hardware provider. The differences in cable could be a requirement to meet termination practices, containment limitations or installation costs.

The overall design could call for Cat6a data cabling to desks for PC’s and Phones for 10 gig, Cat6 for CCTV, Cat5e to Access Control and Dual Cat6a to WIFI. The best solution would be to cable the overall solution to the highest standard cabling category so that in the future all systems could work off the same data cabling but the other considerations of containment and cost are also important to take into consideration

All hardware has a bandwidth and speed requirement for which the correct data cabling infrastructure must be installed to enable that hardware to perform at its required levels and work as required. An example would be a requirement for a 10gig connection at 80 metres which would require a structured cabling system of Cat6a cabling to be installed as Cat5e and Cat6 would not support these transmission requirements

Importance of Data Cabling Testing

Structured cabling also outlines a consistency of termination, testing and labelling. There are several standard of terminations when it comes to copper data cabling and fibre optic data cabling. Problems arise if different standards are followed by different installers. Thus over an ongoing timeline users will find that certain outlets don’t work when moving hardware. In this instance because the ports are wired to a different termination standard

Testing parameters and standards are also important as without fully tested data cabling results the end user will not know if that cable has been

• Install correctly and within the maximum distance
• Installed in the correct separation distances and bend radius
• Been terminated correctly both ends
• Has been tested and confirmed to work to a set standard of transmission tests

Without these test results showing full passes the user will find problems in their hardware performance in the present and ongoing into the future

Structured Cabling Labeling

The consistency of labelling is also a very important part of a structured cabling installation. The labeling should be designed in advance and follow an easy to follow outline. The labeling should specify some or all of the following.

• The Cabinet or Floor Number
• The Outlet Number
• The floor box or cluster number (in some cases)

Different floors or cabinets will also at times have different colour outlet labels and panels

An example would be a blue label marked 3/15/4

(3^rd Floor, Floor Box 15, Outlet number 4)

Structured Cabling Documentation

What is structured cabling in networking when it comes to the correct documentation? The completed data cabling systems should be accompanied by the test results and a full set of drawings and documentation

This will depend on the size of the building and the requirements of the end user but can consist of the following

• Marked up drawings with outlet numbers for each location
• Communication cabinet layouts
• Floor to floor cabling schematics
• Test Results
• Manufacturer data sheets

As hardware changes rapidly and the data cabling requirements to those change with them a focus on a structured cabling systems rather than quick cabling requirement only for the present is becoming more of a necessity.

Power over Ethernet requirements have changed immensely and the cabling requirements to handle these data and electrical requirements will exceed legacy cabling installations quite quickly

With a focus on data cabling design and then implementing a correctly installed system your requirements of today and of tomorrow will be catered for and whatever hardware you choose to add or change will be supported.

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Cabling is an essential component of any communication network. There are certain structured cabling basics that the majority of installations follow. After all, phones and computers are now ubiquitous in every home and office. All this technology, however, means more cabling is required than ever before.

When it comes to communication systems, flexibility, simplicity and scalability are three qualities which are highly valued. Giving sufficient attention to your networking solution and investing in structured cabling can certainly help yield these benefits. Integrating structured cabling into your setup, therefore, should be a major priority.

Common Phrases Used in Structured Cabling

Structured cabling refers to the industry terminology that describes how cables are installed to support and accommodate a wide range of technologies and hardware. However, there are several other terms commonly used to describe this type of cabling, including:

1. Data Cabling
2. Computer Cabling
3. IT Cabling
4. Network Cabling

In essence the cabling remains the same.

What is Structured Cabling?

Modern organisations are packed full of a myriad of devices. Subsequently these have enhanced productivity and revolutionised the way that business is conducted. The Internet of Things may have reduced the need for cabling to some degree. However the fact remains that cabling is still a major part of any organisation’s communication network. PCs and phones need to be connected to central networks. The best way to achieve this is with direct cabling. But if all these different devices require unique cabling then things are going to get very complicated. So that’s where structured cabling steps in.

Structured cabling uses twisted pair Ethernet cables to create a uniform environment of connectivity. This welcomes both phone and PC networks. The cables in question are most commonly Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet cables which are already established as the industry standard for data transmission. Both of these cables can be connected to RJ45 sockets which allow PCs and phones to communicate with central data centres and facilitate the flow of information.

The Benefits of Structured Cabling

It’s important to understand what structured cabling is in order to understand how it can be incorporated into your organisation. But it’s also vital that you understand what the benefits of structured cabling can bring your business. Let’s take a look at the key benefits:

• Budget Friendly: The beauty of structured cabling is that it helps you to create a uniform cabling system for your network. One of the main benefits of this uniformity is that it’s incredibly cost effective. Maintenance costs and power are significantly reduced whilst the need for updates is streamlined, so structured cabling can make a real difference to your budgets.

• Flexibility: Multiple wiring systems can present your staff with a major headache for a number of reasons. Dismantling such an array of systems, for example, is very time consuming and makes relocating equipment a technical nightmare. But structured cabling is much more straightforward to dismantle and relocate due to its flexibility to be employed all over you network.

• Scalability: Structured cabling is highly conducive when it comes to scalability. And, again, it’s thanks to its uniformity. New devices can easily be integrated into structured cabling networks as they are all working to one specific standard. Therefore, expansion within your business can be achieved with minimum hassle and ensure that your communication capabilities are maintained.

• Less Downtime: Working with just one cabling system is a sure fire way to minimise mistakes. And that’s why a system built upon structured cabling can enhance your productivity. Identifying faults and rectifying them is much easier and organising your cabling becomes much simpler, so any disruptions to your workflow are minimised.

Data Cabling Installation

For more information on how to upgrade your structured cabling, or to install your first network, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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