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Every year, our world becomes more connected through advancements in technology. Businesses are always looking for the best solutions for their telecommunications systems, which need to be effective, yet low-maintenance. Traditional point-to-point systems not only create a jungle of wiring, but they also can’t carry ever-increasing data at high rates. That’s where structured cabling systems come in. They are the foundation of your company’s communications infrastructure and their benefits cannot be ignored. A structured cabling system ensures all of your communications needs — for telephone networks, video surveillance, etc. — are met efficiently, streamlining your entire IT network in a way that the traditional point-to-point system simply cannot do. So what are the major benefits of structured cabling systems? We’ve got five answers.

1. It’s Simpler to Manage

You won’t need to continually call on a big team to keep your data center cabling under control, as it can be administered and managed by minimum staff. When changes do need to be made to the system, they can be done in a faster, more efficient way, with minimal disruption.

2. Your Company Will Get a Higher Return on Investment

A structured cabling system unifies your IT network for data, voice and video. That unified structure reduces the need for updates and lowers your maintenance costs. Additionally, any additions, moves or changes can be made within the system with ease, saving your company both time and money.

3. All IT Infrastructure Will Be Better Prepared for Expansion

Structured cabling comes with a high bandwidth. That means it will be able to support future applications your company may decide to add, such as multimedia or video conferencing, with little interruption to your current system. As a result, you can rest assured knowing your system won’t become dated after just a few years. Instead, your system’s vast infrastructure will adapt with your telecommunication needs.

4. You Will Have More Flexibility Within Your System

Multiple wiring systems can be a headache. A structured cabling system, however, consolidates your wiring system into a single infrastructure that transfers data in multiple formats. This flexibility also makes the system easy to dismantle and move to a new location if needed.

5. Structured Cabling Is More Aesthetically Pleasing Than a Multiple Wiring System

Aesthetics matter, too. Structured cabling creates a cleaner, less cluttered look than a point-to-point cabling system. A cabling system plagued with wires left and right can slow functionality, but a unified system is more efficient and easy to use. The benefits of structured cabling simply can’t be underestimated when looking for the right telecommunications network for your company. If you want a simplified system with room to grow, one that maximizes functionality and saves your business both time and money, structured cabling is the way forward.

reference: http://www.abcomllc.com

For cabling and communications manufacturers, knowing the difference between different category cables (CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A and CAT7) is easy. For those that are looking to use category cable to wire a home, office, data center or business, the performance ratings and variances between the cables can be confusing. To help Vericom Volt customers better understand the differences, we will review the capabilities of each category to help choose the right category cable for your installations. For each of the category cables we are referencing, the standards related to a maximum installation length of 100 meters (roughly 328 feet).

CAT5e:

CAT5e category cable supports speeds up to Gigabit (1,000 Megabits per second) Ethernet at 100 MHz. An enhancement of the previously released CAT5 cable, CAT5E (the E designates Enhanced) cable is similar in specifications to CAT5 cable, but has been enhanced to minimize crosstalk. In addition, CAT5e category cable is best suited for installations in networks that change frequently, such as servers with patch panels, home and business installations where you are plugging patch cord connections from computers into wall ports and other similar uses.

CAT5e is available in different configurations, including solid copper wire vs. stranded wire, as well as in shielded vs. unshielded variations. Shielded CAT5e is often used in situations where there may be a great deal of electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other devices in a home or office situation.

CAT6 and CAT6a:

Similar to CAT5e, CAT6 and CAT6a supports speeds over a Gigabit (1,000 Megabits per second) Ethernet, but the main difference from CAT5e is that CAT6 and CAT6a runs at a bandwidth of 250 MHz, which makes CAT6 and CAT6a ideal for business use. For homes and businesses that are looking to offer high performance connections, upgrading to CAT6 or CAT6a can help minimize issues with crosstalk and EMI on networks.

For those looking to offer a sense of “future-proofing” their home or business, CAT6 and CAT6a offer advantages over CAT5e. The higher bandwidth of these category cables can keep your networking setup at high performance levels as service providers offer continually higher speeds. In addition, CAT6 is suited for more permanent installations in home or offices, due to the ability for the

CAT6 and CAT6a are also available in solid copper wire vs. stranded wire, which offers different advantages. Solid cable consists of a single piece of copper for electrical conduction, while stranded cable use numerous copper wires stranded or twisted together for conductors. Stranded wire is best used for applications where flexibility is important, including desks and other areas of frequent movement, while solid cable is a better option for permanent installations, including walls and outdoor, where the durability of solid cable offers longevity versus flexibility.

CAT7:

The next iteration of category cable, CAT7, offers even higher levels of speed for users, with support up to 10 Gigabit (10,000 Megabits per second) Ethernet, with a bandwidth of 500 MHz. CAT7 cables offer exceptional data speed. CAT7 is designed to bring the highest possible speeds for business and server applications, while adding better resistance to EMI, high power ratings and less loss of voltage. For home use, CAT7 can also be beneficial for smart home installations related to whole home technology solutions.