Network Cabling and Installation Guide | MSE (2023)

Network cables are designed to carry data and information to and from computers, switches, storage area networks, and routers. There are many different types of communication cables available. Which cables are right for you depends on many different factors, such as the nature of your overall system and your specific requirements. Twisted pair cables are the most commonly used cables for businesses, including companies working in industries such as retail and commercial.

Twisted pair cable is used in a wide rangeethernet networks.This cable has four pairs of conductors. Couples are twisted into several additional twists. The bends are there to prevent interference from other cables and devices.

A short story

Although digital communication seems to be a relatively new concept, its history stretches back as far as 1844. This was the year Samuel Morse discovered the telegraph and used it to send a message from Washington DC to Baltimore, a distance 37 miles. Although the nature and capabilities of digital communication have changed greatly over the years, there are many parallels between Morse's invention and today's state-of-the-art systems. In the mid-19th century, it was possible to transmit about four or five dashes every second, today's speeds of up to 10 Gpbs mean that ten million zeros and ones can now be transmitted by computers per second.

Over the past four decades, digital communication has evolved at a remarkable pace. As the need for high-speed communication grew and grew, a greater demand for more and more powerful cables and hardware became apparent. Ethernet was first developed by David Boggs and Robert Metcalfe of Xerox Corp in California. Xerox partnered with Intel and DEC in 1979 to standardize and further develop the Ethernet solution. A specification was revealed in 1980. This was called the Ethernet Blue Book and was also referred to as the DIX standard and called for speeds up to 10 Mpbs to be introduced. Although we are now able to achieve speeds of 10 Gpbs, the needs continue to grow, with copper-based cables not being used and developed to offer speeds well beyond that.

Ethernet

Ethernetis the most used type of local area network today. Local area networks are networks of computers located within rooms, buildings and campuses. WAN stands for Wide Area Network and covered much larger areas. Ethernet controls how much data is transmitted over a LAN and is also officially known as the IEEE 802.3 protocol.

When machines on a LAN wish to send data to other computers or devices, they look at the carrier or cable connecting the machines to see if it is free and not currently in use by other devices. If a data packet is already on the network, devices hold it until it can send it. All other devices check the packet to see if the packet is meant for them.

How long will the wiring take?

Wiring can last from 15-20 years before needing replacement. The network equipment you need for your digital communications should be replaced about three or four times before the cable system reaches the end of its life. Cabling will normally cost you around 15% of the full cost of your network. By investing in the right cabling solutions for your needs, you can minimize downtime by reducingmaintenanceand enjoy improved performance.

Copper cable and mixed networks

Although copper may seem expensive, technological advances have made it much more reliable than in the past. Not long ago, it was mainly used for low-speed, short-distance networks, but the 10GB speeds it's now capable of offering mean it's grown dramatically in popularity in recent years. Many of our customers choose to opt for mixed networks that include copper cable and fiber backbones. If you ever have any questions about whether copper is right for you, just get in touch for personalized advice based on your specific circumstances and budget.

Fiber optic cabling

Fiber optic cablesit is often used in environments where high bandwidths are required, such as data centers, banks and hospitals, although more and more companies from various industries are now choosing to install fiber optic network cables due to the significant amount of data it supports.

Fiber optic cabling can connect CCTV systems, broadband, telephones and computer networks and is generally seen as a faster and more reliable alternative to copper. It is able to transfer huge amounts of data, which makes it an ideal choice for various larger organizations. Another good reason to choose fiber optic cabling is that it can provide clearer phone calls thanks to the reduced signal degradation offered. Fiber optic cabling has light power requirements and has a high carrying capacity.

What you should consider

You should think very carefully about which cable installation services are right for you to avoid an investment you will regret later. It is always wise to carefully consider your long-term needs as well as your current requirements. Your choice of cabling is always likely to be substantially influenced by the type of network you use.

There are several technical factors related to your current infrastructure to consider. These include the maximum distance between your network switches and the farthest device from them. You will need to consider the bend radius and space available for passing cables through the ceiling and floor and whether there is any abandoned or existing cable that needs to be removed. Electromagnetic interference or EMI must be considered. While copper and fiber can both provide high-quality data transmission, factors such as cost, distances, bandwidth, your current network, and your future needs can play a big role in determining which option is right for you.

CAT7 cabling

Category 7 wiring is awiring formatit is used for Gigabit Ethernet and is capable of delivering up to 600 MHz throughput. It is ideal for smart homes as well as businesses looking for the highest performance standards available. CAT7 is different from its predecessors like CAT 5 and CAT 6 for several reasons. One of the main reasons for choosing CAT7 is that its twisted pairs are shielded, which means you can look forward to enhanced noise immunity when choosing this solution. Although CAT7 can be expensive and therefore beyond many budgets, if you have the capital to spare, you can expect to enjoy an excellent return on investment and enjoy huge years of performance in the future once installed.

When CAT 7 is in place, you can forget about the expense and hassle of rewiring to accommodate new innovations and capabilities in the future. CAT7 also offers more power and reduced voltage drop. It has a huge copper cross-section and its individual cores are simpler to manage. Not only is each cable pair shielded, but an overall shield is built into the wiring. At the time of writing, you typically pay around £180 per 250m of CAT7 cabling. As CAT7 is somewhat future proof, you won't have to worry about the fuss, hassle cost of opening walls to accommodate new cables for many years after installation. CAT7 will give you the lowest amount of noise and crosstalk, is backward compatible, gives you more bandwidth, and has a long lifespan. If there are any disadvantages associated with CAT7, it is that it is more suitable for offices than homes, it can be expensive depending on your budget, and it is more difficult to install.

CAT6 cabling

If CAT7 cabling seems too expensive or inconvenient, you may well want to opt for CAT6. CAT6 offers a number of advantages, including how it can meet most household needs and is backwards compatible. It is also relatively easy to install and somewhat cheaper than CAT7. Some of the disadvantages associated with installing CAT 6 cable are that it sometimes draws cool air through cracks in ceilings and can emit backdrafts of carbon monoxide.

CAT6 is often regarded as one of the best solutions for home customers, as it can deliver all the speed you need to perform everyday tasks such as downloading, streaming and gaming. It can also be considered a worthwhile solution for small to medium-sized office environments. There are two types of CAT6 available, which are standard CAT6 and CAT6A. CAT6 will normally set you back 50% more than CAT5, while CAT6A will cost 50% more than CAT6. CAT6A is designed around more tightly twisted conductors and also has spacers between the wires so crosstalk can be reduced or eliminated and insulation can be improved. Modular connectors are often needed to connect cables.

You can expect CAT6 cables to last about a decade before they begin to degrade and faults become more frequent. The way the wires are separated within the cable was considered a major innovation, with CAT6A being singled out for the even greater improvements in noise reduction. As CAT6 is backwards compatible, it can work with any cabling from CAT4 and above. This means you don't need to upgrade equipment when upgrading cables. While CAT5 is capable of supporting gigabit speeds, CAT6 is actually certified to handle gigabitEthernet.

Cat5 cable wiring

Although CAT5 may seem old hat, there are still many good reasons to choose this solution, including its excellent efficiency. There are two types of CAT5 available, which include standard CAT5 and CAT5E. CAT5E was first released in 2001 when CAT3 was still a popular choice. CAT5, CAT6, and CAT7 cables all have the standard Ethernet plug that fits comfortably on most computers, routers, and switches, but there are many differences between the three. You can expect to save around 30% by choosing CAT5 over standard CAT6 and around 60% for choosing CAT5 over CAT6E, making it an ideal solution for many on a budget.

CAT5E is typically 24 gauge and can run Gigabet networks for 328 feet. CAT5E has often been used in conjunction with CAT6, with the former acting as a workstation with CAT6 supporting it by running between routers and switches. CAT5E is an improved version of CAT5 that has special specifications for crosstalk. CAT5 and CAT5E can normally support networks running at 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. CAT5E is backward compatible with CAT5, meaning you can use it in any application where CAT5 would normally be used. CAT5E can support Gigabit Ethernet and networks running at 1000Mbps. Crosstalk has been greatly reduced with the advent of CAT5E, which means that problems with slow transfer speeds and blocked transfers can be greatly reduced. CAT5E also has a higher bandwidth than CAT5, providing 100Mhz instead of 350Mhz. Many users find CAT 5E cabling to be as or nearly as reliable as CAT6.

Fiber optic cabling

Fiber optic cablesoffers significant benefits for today's businesses, yet the fact that it remains a relatively new option means that many companies remain hesitant to invest in it. Fiber optic cabling can provide incredibly fast data transmission for homes and businesses. Fiber transmits data through light rather than electricity, and this means that faster internet connections are available that are able to handle much higher bandwidth. Even when demand peaks, fiber providers are able to deliver advertised speeds, studies show.

Fiber connectivity can provide huge benefits to companies of all sizes, especially businesses that work in the cloud and use it for data storage. Fiber optic cabling is often used by businesses looking to get the most out of VoIP telephony and can offer speeds that exceed even CAT7 cabling. In fact, you can get speeds of up to 100 Gbps when you choose fiber optic cables. Additionally, even when there is a high demand for Internet access, you shouldn't see slower speeds. A study said that businesses experiencing slow Internet connections lose a week of productivity each year, which explains why so many organizations are deciding to invest in fiber optic technology.

It is said that over 80% of businesses and organizations are now using the cloud in some capacity. Fiber optics can provide super-fast access to anything stored in the cloud, including apps and data. By choosing fiber optics, you can keep your customers and clients happy while keeping communication standards high.

The fibers are also incredibly strong and unaffected by adverse weather conditions. Bad weather can cause speeds to stop when other forms of wiring are used.Fiber optic cable installationit also offers significant benefits in terms of signal strength. The signal strength of fiber optic connectivity will not degrade quickly over distance, meaning that fiber optic can be the perfect solution for businesses housed in large premises.

It's also harder to reach your bandwidth limit when choosing fiber. The bandwidth available to you is generally high and your network will not slow down when demands are at their highest. Another good reason to choose fiber is that upload and download times are usually equal, so you won't run into problems when it comes to what's known as symmetrical speed. Today, companies upload much more data, including files, phone calls and video content than in the past, which means high upload speeds are essential for more and more businesses in a variety of sectors.

Another big advantage of fiber optic cabling for businesses is that it offers reduced latency. When latency is reduced, it can become easier to send applications to the cloud, experience higher quality VoIP voice, improve collaboration between employees, and transmit and receive large files without interruption. There are also great security benefits, as fiber optic networks can only be penetrated by physically slicing the fibers. Investing in fiber connectivity can mean enjoying optimal protection from cybercriminals. Installing fiber optic cable won't completely eliminate your chances of being affected by cyber crime, but it can greatly reduce the chances of your network being hacked. In addition, electromagnetic interference will not cause your signals to disappear or degrade when usingfiber optics.

Finally, fiber optic connectivity can provide huge support when it comes to HD video, making video conferencing and other related activities a breeze. As for the disadvantages associated with fiber optics, you will need to invest a significant amount in the installation, you may have to pay higher monthly fees for related services, and you may have a small group of Internet service providers to choose from. However, you can get a significant return on investment thanks to improved connectivity, faster speeds and increased productivity.

Office network setup

The idea of ​​setting up a Local Area Network or office network may seem daunting, but the prospect doesn't have to be so unpleasant when you enlist the services of top professionals. Local area networks allow groups of computers and devices to connect to the Internet, but if they're configured incorrectly they can cause all kinds of costly problems. If you don't have the experience or expertise needed to build your network, it's important to turn to professionals who have done this type of work countless times. In fact, installing an office network system incorrectly can even be dangerous.

Routers and switches

The vast majority of today's computers and devices havenetworking capabilitiesbuilt into them, which means you won't normally need to upgrade your machines. However, you may need to invest in switches and routers.

One of the first things you will need to get when building a network or installing one for yourself is a quality wireless router. Wireless routers connect the network to the Internet and give each device or machine an IP address so computers can "talk" to each other. Routers play a central role when it comes to security and usually have built-in firewall systems to protect your network from attack. It's wise to invest in the highest quality router your budget can stretch to in order to get all the efficiency and protection you need. Depending on your needs and the nature of your business, you may need to purchase more than one router. The price you pay for a router usually depends on the features you need.

Switches are designed to allow devices and machines to communicate with each other and there are two main types of switches available, which are managed and unmanaged. An unmanaged switch can be fine if strict monitoring is not required, although a managed switch can give you a high level of control thanks to the way it is monitored and programmed. You will need some technical know-how to monitor and schedule. The more switches available on a port, the more machines, devices and computers can be connected. If you expect to add more devices in the future, make sure there are enough ports to accommodate it.

Network installation planning

Preparation is key when setting up an office network. You need to invest the time required to carefully select all the equipment you need and thoroughly plan every aspect of your installation. You should also take a good look around your office or business premises and do a checklist outside of business hours when the environment is quiet so you can carefully consider your options. You may want to get outside help so that an investigation can be conducted and expert professionals can make valuable suggestions on how to get things right the first time.

Do I need a server?

If you transmit or receive a large amount of data over your network, it is highly advisable to invest in at least one server. Servers give you more control over your network and make the data sharing process much more efficient and reliable. Again, help is available from MSE if you need advice on purchasing the right server equipment for your particular needs. By working with a highly trusted company trusted by a wide range of clients, like MSE, you can get all the support and unbiased advice you need to build an office or business network you can rely on. Feel free to get in touch to find out more.

Why install a network?

When choosing a company to help you build your businessnetwork, you should choose a company with vast experience in catering for businesses like yours. Any company that runs more than one computer can benefit from creating a network. When you have a network, you can share not only your broadband connection, but also printers, scanners, network drives and more. A network enables you to store data and files in a central location while enjoying more efficient sharing and collaboration. You can even use scheduling software to arrange meetings and organize other activities with ease so that everyone stays in the loop when something important happens.

Network sizes

If you have five or fewer devices in your office or business space, an entry-level network could be right for you. With an entry-level network, you can connect computers without relying on a central server, and you'll still be able to share files, connections, and printers. This type of setup is generally inexpensive and is likely to be suitable if you have only moderate networking needs and your offices or business premises are of moderate size.

If you have between 5 and 25 users to serve, what is known as an intermediate network could be ideal. You may need to invest in an entry-level server to support shared file storage and backup essential files. You can expect to pay somewhere in the region of £2,000 for this service.

Do you have more than 25 employees or machines? If so, a more powerful server could be needed to facilitate your company's intranet and software to collaborate, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity in some parts of your premises. Of course, you may want to work in the cloud or split your activities between the cloud and physical servers.

When you have onenetwork designed and installedfor you, you will need to provide information on various topics. The questions you may be asked may be based on the number of computers and devices you will be using, how many full-time staff you have, how much data you are likely to share, how much bandwidth you will need and the type of files you will be sharing, as well as your requirements in the future. If you are likely to expand your business and hire more staff in the future, you will need to provide details of this.

Wired or wireless?

Some companies are opting for wireless solutions instead of the wired approach. There are various advantages and disadvantages associated with it. You won't have to worry as much about messy, unsightly cables and you'll have more freedom when it comes to rearranging your desk on a regular basis. You will also be able to provide customers, clients and visitors to your network. The downsides to this solution are that you may experience significant connectivity issues that can hurt productivity. In most cases, those who choose a wired network can expect faster speeds, greater reliability and greater economic efficiency.

Protection from cybercrime

If you're a small business, there's a good chance you'll be targeted by cybercriminals. That's because hackers and the like see smaller organizations as more vulnerable and less educated about online security. It is wise to complete a risk assessment before your network is installed so that various risks can be identified. Educating your staff on topics related to cybercrime can also be extremely beneficial. Future protection can be incredibly important for small businesses that have a good chance of growing in the coming years, so it's vital to think about where your business is likely to be in two or three years as well as your current requirements to save money in the long run and make sure you are fully prepared to meet your future needs.

Are there commercial network cabling laws or regulations or standards?

As poorly installed network cabling can present various risks, standards and regulations exist to ensure that installations are carried out to the highest standards. Even a small problem with the cabling can have a negative impact on your network, so it is vital that your installation is carried out by competent professionals.

There are two standards for network cabling, which are T568a and T568b, and both should never be used in the same network. Cables should never be laid or suspended from ceiling tiles, as this may breach fire, building and health and safety regulations. Data cables should never be run in parallelelectrical cables. Copper and fiber cables must comply with building product regulations relating to fire performance and all new cables must be CE marked. To learn more about regulations and standards related to data network cabling, get in touch.

Anyone employed to install network cabling must be fully trained and qualified to do so. Accrediting bodies and vendors for fiber and data cabling courses include City and Guilds, Cisco and Emtelle. The limit for cable lengths is usually around 90 meters, although you may be able to exceed this in very rare cases.

What is the cost of installing network cabling?

The cost of installing network cabling in your home or business can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the type of installation, the components used, the number of components, the time required to perform the installation, and the number of of workers is required to install your network. At MSE, we offer highly competitive rates for professional network cabling services, so get in touch to get a quote or arrange a consultation.

How can I maintain my network? Does the network cabling need service?

It is essential to carefully manage your cable network. When you have a quality management process in place, maintaining and managing your network is much easier. You may find it easier to manage your cables by investing in racks to make it easier to identify individual cables. Cable labeling and color coding can simplify cable management and speed up the process of replacing or repairing cables when technical problems arise.

Help is available if you've discovered a problem with oneethernet or fiber optic cable. There's a good chance you won't need to buy a replacement part, as many problems can be easily fixed, with maintenance personnel able to access and fix the exact areas where breaks have occurred. Many business owners have compounded their problems by trying to fix things on their own. However, attempting to repair without the knowledge or competence can be very dangerous.

How do network cable installers become qualified?

Professional network cabling engineers and installers are tasked with installation andmaintaininga wide range of network systems. The work can be carried out both externally and internally and they often perform their duties on poles, towers and in trenches using equipment such as cranes and varies. Network cabling installers can work for companies and organizations, including utilities, telecommunications providers, and construction companies. The growing demands related to data and communications have led to a significant increase in vacancies for network cabling designers. Some of the more well-known qualifications in network cabling include City and Guilds' Basic Principles of Comms Cabling), Fiber Optic and Data Cable. The number of businesses with increased bandwidth and cabling requirements means that the demand for cabling professionals is set to continue to grow in the coming years.

Why MSE?

MSE is a market leading network cabling provider and installer. At MSE, we have been supplying and installing network cabling for many years and are able to count a wide range of businesses in our client network. We have an excellent track record of customer satisfaction and are constantly adding the latest and most exciting innovations to our range of products and services so that our customers can continue to benefit from the latest technological developments.

We've installed cabling in industrial and commercial spaces of various sizes and can help if you want to optimize speeds, reduce network downtime and make communication a more reliable process. We are the candidateselectrical contractorsfor a number of well known companies and organizations across the UK and we are specialists in fibre, CAT5, CAT6 and CAT7 cabling. If you need us to design and install your entire store's digital communications infrastructure, we can do it.

At MSE, we understand that it can be difficult to know where you stand when it comes to your data network cabling needs if you don't have vast IT knowledge. This is why we offer a consultation so that we can carefully consider your needs and provide you with unbiased advice to identify the best solution for your business. Once we've identified your specific data and networking needs and decided to move forward with an installation, we can plan each step of the journey in depth to ensure the ideal outcome is achieved. Some planning will take place over the course of the project as new issues are identified, but you can count on us to always keep you informed and ask for your permission when changes are made.

Our installation team has vast experience in carrying out network cabling installations. While the project is in progress, factors such as time, risk and cost will be constantly evaluated so that the quality of the result is never compromised. We never exceed your budget or deadline and always carefully review progress to ensure all goals are met. Once the project is complete, we can provide you with aftercare to ensure your facility continues to provide the efficiency you need.

What other services does MSE provide?

Network cabling is far from the only service MSE offers. MSE is staffed by fully qualified mechanical and electrical contractors specializing in a range of areas includingaerationand heating, energy saving and renewable energy sources, installation of data cables,electrical servicesand service maintenance. We service clients in Birmingham, across the Midlands and beyond, working across a wide range of commercial and industrial premises.

MSE is able to manage entire electrical projects and can supply and install emergency lighting, access and door entry systems, fire alarms and even associated building work if required. We can install, service and maintainair conditioningunits and are able to provide the most impressive and energy efficient ventilation and heating systems on the market. We are known for our data infrastructure design and installation services and can connect systems to provide faster communication while providing fiber optics, copper cables and wireless connections. In addition, we can also supply and install a range of innovative energy saving technologies to reduce your carbon footprint as well as electricity and fuel costs.

We are also ISO 9001 accredited and stand out for our project management skills, overseeing projects from start to finish with minimal disruption. We are criminal and security checked and are Daikin D1 partners.

Talk to us today to learn more about fiber optic cabling and arrange a cable installation with MSE. At MSE, we always strive to exceed and not just meet your expectations and always strive to bring you the latest proven innovations to benefit you and your business. Having worked in the business for decades, we know what it takes to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction and always listen carefully to customer feedback so we can continue to improve our services. You can contact us by calling 0800 0343 913 or using the contact form on our website. Don't hesitate to get in touch to find out more about how our data cabling solutions can drive your business forward.