Learn the basics of network cabling to keep your small business running efficiently.
Connectivity is at the heart of phone systems, internet, data, and more operations. So, small businesses can't afford to overlook the importance of network cabling. A well-designed network infrastructure can enhance productivity, improve communications, and drive growth.
Data cabling may sound like something simple. You run wires from here to there and attach them, right? But it's not that simple. A well-conceived cabling installation plan can help make or break your business.
Reliable cabling infrastructure can:
Ensure seamless data transfer.
Support real-time communication.
Enhance security.
Enable scalability for future growth.
Network Cabling Standards
The two primary standards related to network cabling are TIA/EIA-568-A and TIA/EIA-568-B, or simply 568 standards. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) developed them to ensure the reliability and performance of network cabling systems.
TIA/EIA-568-A was the earliest cabling standard established in 1991. It focused on cabling components, color coding, and cable categories.
In 2001, TIA/EIA-568-B provided an update to meet the demands of high-speed networking.
That update addressed these concerns:
Backward Compatibility: The 568-B standard ensured backward compatibility with existing 568-A installations, making it easier for businesses to transition to the updated standard.
Color Coding: One significant change was revising the color-coding scheme for Ethernet cables. It created a more widely accepted and standardized arrangement.
Cable Categories: TIA/EIA-568-B introduced the Cat6 and Cat6a cable categories to support Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet. It also addressed Cat5e and other existing categories.
Structured Cabling Installation: The standard emphasized the importance of structured cabling systems. Its goal was to ensure that cabling installations were well-organized, labeled, and documented.
Network Cabling Topologies for Small Businesses
Determining the network topology for your organization is a critical step in designing a functional and efficient network infrastructure. The choice of topology should align with your specific requirements and goals. It should address the following:
Determine Requirements: Start by understanding your organization's unique requirements. Consider factors such as the size of your network, the number of devices, traffic patterns, and scalability needs.
Evaluate Topologies: Review the pros and cons of various network topologies, including bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid. A cabling company can help assess your needs and determine the best one.
Redundancy and Resilience: Determine whether your network needs redundancy and high availability. Redundant topologies like mesh or ring may be suitable for critical applications.
Budget and Resources: Consider your budget and the availability of resources for setting up and maintaining the chosen topology. Small businesses often hire structured cabling companies to save resources and avoid burdening their limited IT staff.
Scalability: Factor in growth to ensure your wiring infrastructure can grow. Think about future growth and scalability.
Security: Assess security requirements and the need for network isolation between different segments of your organization.
Management: Ensure you easily manage your voice and data cabling. You'll want to ensure it's easy to configure, troubleshoot, and monitor.
The Star Topology Fits Most Small Businesses
The most widely used network topology for small business data centers is the Star or Homerun topology. Conversely, more extensive data centers often use a mesh or hybrid topology to ensure redundancy and fault tolerance.
Here's why the Star topology fits small companies so well:
Simplicity: It's relatively easy to set up and manage, making it suitable for small to large organizations.
Scalability: You can quickly expand the topology by adding more devices or nodes to the central hub or switch.
Isolation: If one device fails, it won't affect the entire network, as in a bus or ring topology.
Performance: It can provide good network performance when managed correctly.
Understanding Network Cabling Types
With data cabling installation, your selection of cabling impacts cost and performance. You have four types of cabling to work with. A network wiring installer can help determine the best option for you.
Coaxial Cables
They're well suited for cable TV, broadband internet, and select data networking applications.
Coaxial cables deliver good signal integrity and resistance to interference. However, they are bulkier and less flexible than other network cabling options.
Shielded Twisted Pair Cables (STP)
STP cables are ideal for environments with electromagnetic interference, like industrial settings. The chief advantage of STP cables is Improved EMI/RFI resistance.
The bulky cables cost more than the next option, twisted pair cables.
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables (UTP)
These cables are the most common choice for Ethernet networks in homes, offices, and data centers. They're cost-effective, flexible, and available in various performance categories.
Although they are susceptible to some EMI/RFI, UTP cables are sufficient for most networking needs.
Fiber Optic Cables
Data centers and telecommunications typically rely on fiber optic cables. They're capable of high-speed data transmission over longer distances.
The upside to fiber optics is that they offer high bandwidth with low signal loss. They also shield against EMI/RFI and can transmit data long distances.
Their downside is cost. Fiber optic cables are also fragile and require specialized equipment for installation.
Categories of Network Cabling
Ethernet cables come in different categories, specified by a Cat number like Cat7. That number determines their performance and capabilities. Choosing the correct category of cabling is essential for meeting the specific requirements of your small business network.
This chart shows the most common cabling categories:
Ethernet Cable | Max Data Rate | Max Bandwidth | Applications |
Cat5e | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) | 100 MHz | Fast Ethernet, basic office networks |
Cat6 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) | 250 MHz | Gigabit Ethernet, data-intensive networks |
Cat6a | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) | 500 MHz | 10-Gigabit Ethernet, demanding networks |
Cat7 | 10,000 Mbps (10 Gbps) | 600 MHz | Data centers, high-speed environments |
Cat8 | 25,000 – 40,000 Mbps (25-40 Gbps) | 2,000 MHz | High-performance data centers |
Generally, small businesses use Cat6 and Cat6a cabling.
Determining Network Port Requirements
Another key consideration for network cabling is determining the optimal number of network jacks per workspace. Network ports or wall outlets ensure efficient network connectivity.
You'll want to list all the devices requiring a network connection in each workspace. They can include computers, printers, VoIP phones, networked cameras, etc.
You also need to evaluate the number of users in each office. More users mean more devices requiring network access and more jacks. You need to distribute jacks evenly to avoid overcrowding.
Most importantly, you must plan the routes for your cable connections. That means ensuring each runs neatly and efficiently to each jack location. You need to avoid disruptions or safety hazards impacting your network cabling performance.
The Right Network Cabling Company Can Make all the Difference
Considering most small companies have limited IT resources, you'll want to work with an experienced network cabling installer. They can help plan your network and future-proof it. They can also optimize your network for the best performance.
2 Tin Cans and a String has helped small businesses with network cabling installations for 40 years. It supports clients throughout York, Harrisburg, Carlisle, and Lancaster.