We’ve spoken at length this month about structured network cabling. This is a very important topic as companies increasingly rely on advanced technology solutions to grow and remain competitive. A solid network infrastructure and reliable high-speed connections have never been more essential. You can read more about structure cabling here and here, but before we leave the topic behind, we have one more aspect to discuss. In this article, we will explore six network cabling solutions that are most appropriate for business environments, evaluating both their advantages and disadvantages.
Copper-Based Cabling Solutions
- Twisted Pair Cabling: Twisted pair cables represent the bedrock of business networking. Categories such as Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 7 provide various speeds and are helpful for applications such as VoIP phones, data centers, and video conferencing. The advantages of twisted pair cabling systems include cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. This type of cable is typically more affordable as compared to other kinds. They are also fairly straightforward to install, saving time and resources. Both of these advantages make twisted pai cabling a great option for SMBs.The primary disadvantages of twisted pair cabling are that they have a limited range and they are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference if not properly shielded.
- Coaxial Cables: These cables are less frequently used in contemporary business environments but are still appropriate for specific legacy systems and specialized applications. Their advantages include their resistance to some types of interference and robust performance over longer distances.
However, coaxial cables can be inflexible and are, therefore, not appropriate for complex routing systems. Many organizations are moving on from coaxial cables, meaning they will probably not have as much support in the future.
Optical Fiber Cabling Systems
- Single-Mode Fiber: These cables are perfect for high-bandwidth or long-distance applications and are often utilized in enterprise-level backbone networks. They are advantageous because they can support a significant amount of data over long distances, often reaching Gbps speeds.
However, the high cost of the necessary investment and complex installation may dissuade some potential users. - Multi-Mode Fiber: This fiber network is appropriate for short to medium spans and is useful for internal network architectures, such as exist on a campus. The advantages of multi-mode fiber include its high-bandwidth capability, which can carry a significant amount of data over short distances. Multi-mode fiber is usually less expensive than single-mode for both hardware and associated components. However, multi-mode fiber can produce degradation of the signal quality over long distances, limiting its usage.
Specialized Business Cabling Solutions
- InfiniBand: This cabling solution is appropriate for high-performance data center environments due to its exceptionally high data throughput capabilities. Advantages include rapid data transfer and low latency, making it perfect for real-time applications. Disadvantages include the expense required to implement and maintain this solution, especially as it may be overkill for many standard applications.
- Direct Attach Copper (DAC): DAC is typically utilized for short-range data center connections, such as between servers and storage devices that are physically close. DAC is less expensive than fiber optics over short distances. However, DAC is best suited for data centers, not comprehensive business networking needs.
Call Today for Structured Cabling and Networking Expertise
One of the best ways to ascertain the best type of cabling for your business is to ask for help from the experts. At Alliance IT, our team of IT Professionals has the knowledge you need to make an informed decision and the skills you need to implement your chosen solution.
