Modern businesses rely heavily on IT, investing in high-quality equipment and staff to ensure their computing needs are met. However, it is also important to recognize the importance of some of the smaller components of IT systems. Without effective and functional structured cabling supporting IT systems, business operations would come to a halt. Structured cabling is the way that businesses organize the extensive cabling that supports their data, voice and IT systems.
It is a complicated infrastructure design that, when optimized, can create higher-performing and more scalable systems. A well-structured cabling system begins with the foundational elements of proper design and installation.
Structured Cabling Design Process
Outlined below are the steps involved in designing a structured cabling system for an organization.
Site Survey
The first step in designing structured cabling is performing a site survey. A qualified cabling professional will visit the physical location of the business to examine its layout, size, and dimensions, assessing the overall cabling needs.
This survey includes determining how the cabling should be run and identifying any potential obstacles that need to be addressed before installation begins, such as the positioning of pipes and walls.
General Design
Next, the cabling professional will begin the full design process, ensuring that all cabling is located and structured in an optimally functioning manner that also works with the physical attributes of the site.
They will lay out the location of cables as well as equipment such as racks, ensuring that the system’s backbone will support optimized performance. This will include determining the ideal location for equipment and server rooms.
The technician will also make sure their design is capable of supporting the different services the business intends to use, such as video, network, and telecommunications.
Another important component of structured cabling design is the business’s future needs. For example, when a business is expecting significant growth in the near future, its infrastructure will be designed in a way that will accommodate scaling.
If new technology is expected to be released soon, the design will also be compatible with those specifications to ensure it can be adopted with ease.
Cabling Selection
Next, the structured cabling professional will determine the right type of cabling to use.
The business’s budget and usage are both factored in to select appropriate cabling that meets industry standards at a suitable cost and will work well with the design. They will also collaborate with the IT team to choose suitable mounting solutions.
Structured Cabling Installation Process
Outlined below are the steps involved in installing structured cabling.
Server Room
Once the pathways and locations for data cabling have been finalized, the installers will create a server room, installing racks, cable managers, patch panels, cabinets and other necessary features to give the network infrastructure a well-organized environment.
The installers will work with on-site electricians to ensure that all requirements and regulations are met and the system is properly grounded for maximum safety.
Data Cables
The next phase is the installation of data cables. These cables will be routed according to the design specifications, and installers will safely set them with the proper tension to foster top performance.
Cables will be pulled from the server room to their predetermined locations within the facility, taking care to avoid any unnecessary twists and bends that may compromise the integrity of the signal. Installers will also take care to respect the recommended maximum ranges of cables to ensure the system will perform optimally.
Termination
Next, the installers will turn their attention to cable termination, completing all of the connections in the system so that every cable is terminated at the appropriate end point. This will be carried out using high-quality connectors and secure connections to reduce the risk of data loss.
Cable Management
After all of the data cables have been properly terminated, the cable management phase gets underway. This entails organizing cables into bundles and arranging them in an orderly fashion, taking care to avoid tangles.
Once the cables are positioned, they will be secured using straps or other methods to ensure they remain organized and easy to maintain.
In addition to making the installation more aesthetically pleasing, this facilitates cable identification in the event that the system does not perform as expected and cabling needs to be adjusted.
Testing
Next, the installers will test each cable to ensure that it functions optimally and delivers reliable performance.
Once they have verified that the cabling is functioning properly, installers will remove all of the debris and waste that was created in the installation process and leave the area tidy before conducting a final quality check.
Discuss Your Cabling Needs With The Professionals At Advantage Technology
Ensure the data infrastructure of your business is installed properly and meets industry standards with help from Advantage Technology. Contact us today to learn more about our structured cabling services.