Today in computing, more is happening wirelessly than ever before. However, we’re still a long way from networking wires and cables becoming entirely obsolete, which means you should know how to deal with your cables efficiently.
Having an organized wiring system will save you significant time and headache when maintenance has to be performed. To take control of your network’s cabling situation, consider these four best practices:
Different Colors for Different Signal Types
Different colored cables are not hard to find, and the organizational benefit is enormous, keeping your cables from being a one-colored tangled mess. Color coordinate your cables by different signal types, and you won’t have to waste time following a cable from one device to the other to find out what goes where.
Label Your Cables
Easy to remember, right? By putting a label on each end of the cable, you’ll know at a glance exactly what the cable is used for. Be sure to include information like:
• What signal type (audio, video, serial, network, VGA, etc.)
• The source of the signal
• The destination of the signal
• A unique identifier (optional)
Use Service Loops
Successful cabling makes the future as stress-free as possible on whoever has to replace an old server unit. When running cables, leave a service loop. IT blogger OceanDataRat explains:
“…This means running the cables in a way that allows individual pieces of equipment to be removed from the rack far enough to inspect and remove/reattach any connected cables. The additional wire length that allows the gear to be removed without first disconnecting any cables is called a service loop. ”
Run Two Cables For Every Drop
Save yourself time in the future by running two cables side by side for every drop. This will more than pay for itself in time and labor when it comes time to replace a dead cable. When a cable gets damaged, you can just plug in your extra cable and get back to work. Another bonus of dropping extra cables is that they are already in place if you need to expand your network. Easy.
Do It Right the First Time
It’s true that mapping out the routing of your network is a major endeavor. Why not give our IT technicians a call? Cable routing is a classic example of why doing something right the first time will save you headaches later on. Call us today at (973) 882-4644 for a free professional assessment of your network’s current cabling system.