What Is The Purpose Of Structured Cabling Services?
To enable seamless data transmissions, structured cabling services are important for telecommunications. As an organized cabling system, structured cabling allows the smooth flow of data, voice, and video in various environments. For example, structured cabling is a perfect cabling infrastructure for corporate buildings as well as different extensive facilities.
Structured cabling is not the sole infrastructure. It has numerous standardized smaller components. The system consists of a series of patch panels and trunks that are used to create a structure, allowing the hardware ports to connect to a patch panel at the top of the rack. The patch panel then connects to another patch panel through a trunk in the Main Distribution Area (MDA). A trunk is a multi-fiber assembly designed for use in conveyance.
Components of structured cabling services
The structured cabling services work on a defined standard. And as per the standard, the structured cabling system is divided into six components. The components are:
Entrance facility or EF– This is the entry point from where the service provider’s cabling and hardware come into the building and connect to the customer’s infrastructure.
Equipment Room or ER– As the name suggests, the equipment room has servers, switches, and other pieces of IT equipment required for structured cabling.
Backbone cabling– The connection from the entrance facility to telecommunications rooms and equipment rooms is established by backbone cabling. Throughout the network, the backbone cabling is the focal point that enables high-speed connectivity.
Telecommunication room or TR– Like the equipment room, the telecommunication room has cross-connects and equipment that connect the backbone cabling with the horizontal cabling. This is one of the important components of structured cabling. So, in some buildings, there are telecommunications rooms on each floor. The Telecommunications Room is also known as Telecommunications Enclosures or ER.
Horizontal cabling– Compared to others, horizontal cabling comprises the majority of the system. The horizontal cabling is like a central part of the system because it includes all the cabling that connects telecom and equipment rooms with work areas.
Work Area– This is the last component that includes wall plates, adapters, and patch cables, connecting computers, printers, IP phones, wireless access points, and other network-connected devices.
Difference between structured cabling and point-to-point cabling
In point-to-point cabling, jumper fiber cables are used to connect a storage unit, switch, or server to another storage unit, switch, or server directly, meaning there is no Main Distribution Area (MDA). No MDA means no use of patch panels and trunks to connect different pieces of hardware to the data center. Only cables run to and from various equipment directly.
The point-to-point cabling is only recommended for a smaller number of connections. If you have extensive facilities with lots of connections, a structured cabling service is a better option.
Purpose/Benefits of structured cabling services
You get seamless data center cable management
With cabling structured services, you get an organized cabling system without any infrastructure complications that lead to mistakes such as unplugging the incorrect hardware ports. Other than this, there are no tangled cables in the cabling structured system. Tangled cables damage other wires, causing network disruptions and hardware problems.
The connection is seamless with proper management from the service provider.
You save money
Talking about direct savings, the structured cabling system trims the overall cabling maintenance costs as well as reduces power. Also, it establishes a scalable network that easily handles high bandwidth.
Moving to indirect savings, the structured cabling system increases productivity and efficiency because of seamless information flow. With this system, you don’t waste time locating the right ports and cables and identifying and resolving any potential issues.
You enjoy better flexibility
With a structured cabling service, you bring flexibility to your cabling infrastructure. You can move, add and make necessary changes to your network cabling infrastructure. Also, you can easily create new installations and upgrades to the system. Other than this, relocation is possible if you ever want to move to another business location.
This flexibility is possible because there are no disorganized wires in the way, decreasing the odds of human errors.
You lower the risk of downtime
If the cabling system is messy and unorganized, you are bound to make mistakes because you get confused. This leads to downtime, interrupting your network as well as your business workflow.
The structured cabling system reduces the risk of human error that leads to workflow and network disruptions. It’s possible because the structured cabling system is well-organized, allowing easy and quick location of all the cables and ports. And when cables and ports are easily located, the rectification of any potential faults in the system becomes possible.
You ensure future usability
The structured cabling system is forward-adaptable, meaning any advances or updates in telecommunication technology can easily be implemented with minimal risk to the infrastructure.
If your vision is long-term and you want to prepare for the future, the structured cabling service is a good investment. Undoubtedly, you will get good returns now and forever.
You make your building aesthetically pleasing
Compared to other points discussed above, this point might not be so important to you. But, if you have clients visiting your office for meetings, the mess of tangled wires doesn’t look good.
With a structured cabling service, the cables are hidden from plain sight. Even if they are visible, they are neatly bundled and plugged into their respective machines without any mess.
To get a structured cabling service, please connect with us via WhatsApp at 971585811786.