Cabling
Cabling is often overlooked in the computer system specifications and budgets. It is however one of the most common causes of system down-time or crashes.
Modern cabling should be fast, and robust, and not be affected by someone moving their desk (and bringing the whole system down).

The best option is normally one in which all users connect directly to a central point(s) which then pass on the information at high speed to or from the server.
At its best, this is combined with the phone system, to provide a series of 'data-outlets' that provide staff with access to Phone (internal or external), fax, video conferencing or computer data.

This type of installation is often called Structured Cabling and may involve the use of fibre-optics to take information at a fast rate between main areas of the building.
Cabling is measured by he type of material used, connections made, and overall performance. The current standard is called Category 5 (or cat 5). You should be aware that the warranty and guarantee are not only for the cabling, but should include the complete socket to frame installation. Most manufacturers of cable, will only offer full warranty when their cable is used with their sockets & outlets.

Don't try to cut costs on cabling, as this is one area of the network that will come back and get you when you least expect it, and normally when you have replaced most of the other items on the system first..

As part of the cabling system, you need to consider the method the connections are made at the central point. As the wires all terminate, they are labelled according to the socket number at the user end. These numbers allow for fault testing and to make sure that the correct service is supplied to the user sockets. This is often called a patch panel. From the patch panel, the connection to the correct service can be made.

Telephones can be connected directly into the switch or NT Phone server. Normal network connections can then go into a hub. It is worth having different colours wires (referred to as patch leads) for voice & data - this enables easy reference, and helps to distinguish between services available.

Although not new, Blown-Fibre technology has recently become popular - See panel for more information on why you should have blown fibre installed as well as copper.
Blown Fibre is a cost effective method of increasing the bandwidth of your cabling system, when the need arises, and right to the desktop.

Many people are aware that ordinary electrical wiring comes in many forms and types, with the thicker ones able to carry more electricity. When it comes to data transmission, using fibre in which light travels along each length is the best (rather than copper wires with electrical signals passing along).

Using fibre does have drawbacks at the moment, cost is one, but another is the speed of the server and the network cards in both server(s) and PC's.
If you consider that the most disruption to your business is caused at the time of installation, it can be very painful to have standard copper Cat 5 cables installed, and then to have the whole lot taken out in favour of fibre based technology in a few years.
With Blown Fibre, you can get the best of both worlds, because along with the standard copper Cat 5 cabling, additional empty tubes (often referred to as ducts) are installed. Each duct is about the same outside diameter as a standard Cat 5 cable, and a good ratio is one duct for each four cat 5 cables.

Each end of the duct is sealed on installation, and as it runs alongside existing Cat 5 cables, exact locations and lengths can be determined from test equipment used on the copper cabling.
When higher band-width is required at the desktop, it is a straightforward job to use a special compressor to blow up to four fibres right to the users desktop.

Although some say it is expensive, it does mean a reduced amount of disruption, and when you compare the small increase in one time installation, against having the entire system replaced with fibre in the future does represent good value for money.
There are a few products on the market at the moment, so it pays to choose an installer who has a good reputation and working relationship with the manufacturer.

The same installation method can also be used to take out fibre, and then upgrade at a later stage.