As a business grows there is not only an increase in the number of employees but also an increase in the number of devices that connect to the network. Cables running around from one device to another can be overwhelming to keep track of, therefore, difficult to repair, maintain and add onto your network. Structured cabling comes to replace the point-to-point cabling system that required cables to run from one point of hardware to another.
Structured Cabling is a cabling system that supports multiple pieces of hardware providing a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure. It is simple and organized, eliminates the need for lots of cables and make room for future growth. Structured cabling is ideal for large networks since it makes maintenance of these cable quick and easy.
Structured cabling makes use of components like cables, which is the most basic, patch panels, switches and truck cables. Structured cabling utilizes the components to create and organized system as follows;
Switches
A switch connects and enables communication between devices on the same network in a building through switch ports that allow to connect cables. Switches receive, processes and send data, to send data to different parts of the building the switch is connected to a patch panel.
Patch panels
Patch panels is a piece of hardware with multiple ports that help organize a group of cables. Each port on a patch panel connects to a port in a patch panel in another part of the building. The data drops connect to the patch panel which are then connected to a switch.
Truck cables
Truck cable is a type of break out cable that bundles together multiple cables into one. They create a clean and organized look. Truck cables connect to the patch panels.
Cables
This include all cables that are included in your network to support different devices. These cables include coaxial cables, fiber optic cables and Ethernet cables.
Subsystems of Structured Cabling
The components of structured cabling make up a whole network, however, there is need to divide the network into smaller sections for manageability. These small sections of a network are referred to as subsystems and include;
Entrance Facility
It is important to note that structured cabling in a building starts where the SP wiring ends. The entrance facility is the physical location where the SP wiring ends and now the building wiring begins.
Equipment Room
It is the room in the building that houses the structured cabling equipment like switches and routers or consolidation points for the structured cabling.
Telecommunications Room
It is the room in the building that houses the structured cabling termination points for backbone cabling, horizontal cabling, fiber jumpers and patch cords.
Backbone Cabling
It is made up of all the actual cabling that run throughout the system. It can either be cabling between horizontal cross-connects and intermediate cross-connects or the cabling between the intermediate cross-connect and the main cross-connect.
Horizontal Cabling
Horizontal cabling connects the telecommunications room to outlets or the work areas on the building. It is the cabling and data drops that run to the computers in the office.
Work Area
It is where the user equipment are they include computers, printers or any other WIFI enabled devices. They connect to the network by plugging on an outlet on the wall at the work area.
Benefits of Structured Cabling
Structured cabling has a wide range of applications ranging from schools, hospitals, warehouses and government premises. Where structured cabling is adopted they enjoy benefits like;
Keeps the Building Neat, Tidy and Organized
Structured cabling puts all the building wiring out of sight on the walls, above ceilings and under the floors making the building outlook neat, tidy and organized which is attractive and provide a conducive and safe environment to work in.
Easy Management and Maintenance
Structured cabling provides an organized cable system for your building which is easy to manage and maintain. This saves the company the time and money that would have been spent incase of a fault in the cabling system.
Lower Downtime
Structured cabling makes it easy and quick to identify and make repairs to the system thus ensuring your system is up and running again in no time and not affecting the productivity of the business.
Cost Effective
A properly engineered and installed structured cabling system is very cost effective for a business. Structured cabling can swiftly accommodate Moves, Adds and Changes to the system and the ease to troubleshoot and make repairs to the system much cost effective for the business.
Security
Structured cabling system has unique security features and functionalities that only the authorized users can access. This makes it hard to corrupt and miss-direct the company resources.