Structured cabling services are important for telecommunications to enable seamless data transmissions. 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 and 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 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. 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 connect a storage unit, switch, or server directly to another storage unit, switch, or server, eliminating the need for a Main Distribution Area (MDA). Without an MDA, you don’t use patch panels and trunks to connect different pieces of hardware to the data center. Instead, cables run directly to and from various equipment.
Use point-to-point cabling only for a smaller number of connections. For extensive facilities with many connections, choose a structured cabling service as a better option.
Purpose/Benefits of Structured Cabling Services
You get seamless data center cable management
Other than this, the cabling system avoids tangled cables. Tangled cables can damage other wires, leading to network disruptions and hardware problems.
The service provider ensures seamless connections through proper management.
You save money
You enjoy better flexibility
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 causes workflow and network disruptions. The system stays well-organized, so you can easily and quickly locate all the cables and ports. When you can find the cables and ports easily, you can promptly address any potential faults in the system.
You ensure future usability
The structured cabling system adapts easily to future advancements or updates in telecommunication technology, minimizing risk to the infrastructure.
If you plan for the long term and want to prepare for the future, investing in structured cabling is a smart choice. You will undoubtedly see good returns now and in the future.
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, you will hide the cables in plain sight. Even if they are visible, you will have neatly bundled and plugged them into their respective machines without any mess.
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