Technology is moving forward at a blinding pace, but unless we make an effort towards change – the wiring in our buildings remains the same. Is it time for you to overhaul your antiquated wiring? Here’s how to figure that out.
First of all, are you experiencing any problems with dropped Internet or VoIP connections? If so, this is a major red flag telling you that it is time to take a look at the infrastructure. If not, but you want to upgrade by adding VoIP endpoints, more computers or more networked devices, it is also time to take a look at the network.
The first thing to look for is what type cable is installed. In order to operate a best practices network today, at least cat5e cabling is recommended. If you are planning to add endpoints or have issues and don’t have cat5e, then it is best to put an infrastructure overhaul in your budget and roadmap.
Next, take a look at the terminations. Does each cable end have a properly terminated connector? Are wires frayed? Torn? If so, it pays to have a professional come in and repair the terminations so no problems occur in the future. Also look at the condition of the insulation surrounding each cable – if it is in bad shape, then chances are you have a less-than-well-shielded data pipe at that point in your network.
Next make sure that you have enough Ethernet drops to support your future expansion plans. If not, perhaps a few more drops are necessary only – without a full network upgrade.
Are any wires running close to sources of interference, such as fluorescent lights? If so, it makes sense to reroute them, or pull them and replace them with fiber optic cabling if rerouting is impractical or impossible.
No matter whether you choose a major overhaul or simple upgrades, hire professional structured wiring installers. The right professionals will perform the above assessment using the latest network analysis tools, and will quote you a fair price for just what needs to be done and no more. Why not call them today and start moving your building towards the future?
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