Network cabling is usually done during an office renovation, under time pressure, and is then hidden behind drop ceilings and inside ducts. If it isn’t done right, you live for years with dropped connections, low speeds and a rack that looks like a tangled ball of yarn. Fixing cabling after installation is almost always more expensive than doing it right on day one.
What Is Structured Cabling?
In structured cabling, cables do not run directly from computers to the switch. Each network outlet connects through a permanent cable to a patch panel port in the rack, and the patch panel connects to the switch with short cables (patch cords). The main components:
- Network outlet (keystone): the user’s connection point at the workspace.
- Horizontal cable: the permanent cable inside the wall, ceiling or duct, running from the outlet to the rack.
- Patch panel: where the permanent cables terminate in the rack.
- Patch cord: a short cable between the patch panel and the switch, and between the outlet and the computer.
The advantage is that moving a user or changing a port only requires moving a patch cord in the rack, without touching the permanent cable.
Cat6 or Cat6A?
- Cat6: sufficient for gigabit networks up to a 100-meter channel length, and the most common choice for offices today. It supports 10 gigabit speeds only over shorter distances.
- Cat6A: supports 10 gigabit speeds up to 100 meters; it is thicker and more expensive, and a good choice for server rooms or future high-speed access points.
The 100-meter limit applies to the entire channel: about 90 meters of permanent cable plus the patch cords at both ends. For longer distances or connections between buildings, you need fiber optic cable.
Cable must be solid copper. Cheap copper-clad aluminum (CCA) cables do not comply with cabling standards, fail sooner and are not suitable for PoE.
Principles of a Proper Installation
- Enough outlets: plan for at least two outlets per desk and run separate cables for access points and cameras; extra cable is cheap during installation.
- Distance from power: don’t run network cable parallel and tight against power cables; use a separate path or a divided duct.
- Bends and pressure: don’t bend cable sharply or overtighten ties; hook-and-loop (Velcro) ties are a better choice inside the rack.
- One wiring standard: choose either T568A or T568B and use the same one on every outlet and patch panel.
- Testing: test every line after installation. A simple tester only shows whether the wires are connected correctly; professional certification testers (Certifiers) also measure line quality and compliance with the standard.
Labeling: The Cheapest Investment
Every line should have a unique ID written identically on the outlet, on the patch panel port and on both ends of the cable. A simple pattern can show the floor, rack and port number; for example, F2-R1-24 means floor 2, rack 1, port 24. Labels should be printed and durable, not handwritten with a marker. Record the full list of lines in your network documentation as well.
Common Mistakes
- Running cables directly from computers to the switch without a patch panel.
- Using CCA or no-name cable to save money.
- Overly long patch cords that tangle in the rack and block airflow.
- Missing labels, or labels that don’t match the documentation.
- A rack with no free space for future equipment.
Checklist
- Solid-copper Cat6 or Cat6A cable from a reputable brand
- All lines terminate at a patch panel.
- Channel length under 100 meters, and fiber for long runs
- Matching labels on the outlet, patch panel and both cable ends
- Test reports for all lines
- Up-to-date line documentation
ITPlus724 engineers can prepare a cabling plan for your office or server room, supervise its installation, or tidy up and document your existing cabling.