Cabling

Our engineers and installation technicians are highly trained and take responsibility of your network project from design to implementation.  Our services include premise wiring, hardware installation, testing, network monitoring and management.

The Basics.. A rough idea of things to think about. First things first... there has to be a way of physically connecting the devices (computers, printers, etc) to each other. This is normally done with what is called Category 5 Cabling. 'Category 5' refers to a technical specification which defines the type of cable and level of performance to be provided by the cabling scheme.  Category 5 cabling looks like phone cabling, but is built and certified to much higher standards. The wall jacks for Category 5 connections look like oversized phone jacks. Most modern Local Area Networks are wired utilizing switches and routers. Each device to be attached to the network must have a cable which attaches to a switch at the center of the network. For installation purposes, this cable is referred to as a 'run'. Each run should not exceed 100 meters. If you have 12 computers and three network-attached printers, you would have a total of 15 cable runs, one for each device.

In the Wiring Closet

Many times the center of the star for networks is located in the wiring closet near the telephone 'punch-down block'. Wherever you decide to locate the center of you 'star' there will be several components. The center of your star should be in a secure place with no patron access.

Patch Panel where all the cable runs to your devices (workstations, printers, etc) start. All your network cabling runs will be connected to the back of the patch panel. The front of the patch panel looks like a bunch of phone jacks to which you attach Patch Cables that connect to your switches. Patch cables are short (3'-10') Category 5 cables with RJ-45 connectors on each end.

On the workstation or printer end of the cable runs…

Each cable run will terminate on the workstation end in a RJ-45 wall jack. A Category 5 patch cable that is long enough reach the workstation from the wall jack will be needed.

Each device you attach to the network must have a network card to 'talk' to your network. Many PCs come with this already 'built-in', but make sure before you buy! 

Printers to be attached to the network will also need network adapters. If you have HP LaserJet printers, the HP Jet Direct cards work quite well. Once again, don't forget the Category 5 patch cable from the wall jack to the printer.

Installation of cabling is expensive, so think ahead…if there's a good chance that you'll need additional network connections in an area, go ahead and have it done with your other cabling work. The installer can pull several cables at once instead of only one, saving you time and money. We charge by the hour so having our people install an extra line to each station only costs you the price of the cable and connectors.

Servers

A rack-mounted server, UPS, and 100MB switches are usually planned for most systems. This rack will require a dedicated 30 amp circuit with a locking wall outlet (specifications for the outlet are to follow, it's a round, locking-type connector). Rack-mounted components allow several servers and peripherals to be stacked without taking up any additional floor space.

Servers must have a network adapter, preferably 100MB rather than just 10MB.  These servers should be located in a secure location. Don't forget that this equipment generates some heat, so a closet with no ventilation may get way too hot in a hurry! Server configuration is way beyond the scope of this document, so give us a call or e-mail us if you have questions. We are here to help!

Pricing

We at e-bps believe that you can get more for your money with a per hour charge for your cabling needs.  We can give you a list of the equipment to purchase or we can get it for you and include the receipt for the parts with our bill.  We are not in the equipment sales business.  This is a direct pass through to you.  

The Short List

In the Wiring Closet…

• A rack for patch panel, switches and routers (much nicer and more serviceable than wall mounting)
• Patch panel - where all the Category 5 cable runs terminate
• Routers - with the ability to connect to the phone co. T1 or DSL
• Switches - with enough ports for all existing and near-term proposed devices
• Patch Cables - Category 5 certified patch cables to go from patch panel to the switch.
• Category 5 certified cable runs from patch panel to workstations, servers, printers, etc 

Workstations/Servers

• Network cards (Remember to buy 100MB cards if you are purchasing new equipment) for every workstation or printer to be attached to the network. 
• Category 5 patch cables to go from wall jacks to workstations or printers (a little too long is better than a little too short!)
• Servers need to be in a secure location with ventilation (possibly extra air conditioning).
• A 30 AMP dedicated circuit for the system server rack.

Please remember that we are here to assist you in configuring your networks so they will be easier to use and manage! Our goal is to be able to help you support your networks.  Don't hesitate to call. 

We do everything from the phone companies connection to the workstation. 

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