Data Networking

Assessment Of Existing Network

We can assess your current infrastructure and recommend an appropriate upgrade path.

We perform a process called validation – this will test your existing cabling and network points to see if they can cope with Gigabit speeds (and above) without any issues.

In some cases, the existing wiring may need replacing. However, in many cases, we have been able to upgrade the networking hardware on the server side, and install new Ethernet sockets on either ends of the existing cabling.

Everything will be certified to ensure that the wiring is performing at the speeds that the hardware is meant to be running at, without packet loss or other connectivity issues.

New Network

Using our expertise in this area, we will assess your office/building/workspace and along with your requirements, we will be able to provide you a quote to install the most cost-effective solution.

We will also provide for you a secondary quote on a solution that will surpass your requirements and future-proof your network if you were ever to upgrade your I.T. systems on both the server side and the client side.

Sometimes the cost difference will not be vastly greater, and it may be better to put a higher end infrastructure in place, in preparation for higher speed data networks that you may wish to employ in the future with newer I.T. equipment.

We will outline the pros and cons for you in a simple fashion so you can make an informed decision on the future and direction of your I.T. infrastructure, and ultimately the future direction of your business.

Get in touch if you need more information, or if you require a quote.

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Cable Types (Click to Expand)

Category 5e - Unshielded Twisted Pair (CAT5e UTP)

CAT5e is the cheapest and the bare minimum of cable type/standard that should be in use.

CAT5e is certified for Gigabit speeds and below. Unless cost is a real concern, the higher rated CAT6 cable type should be used in a permanent installation to ensure that the network is ready for robust Gigabit speeds and beyond. The difference in cost nowadays is a lot smaller than it used to be.

Category 6 - Unshielded Twisted Pair (CAT6 UTP)

Many new installations now employ CAT6 cable. It is an upgrade from CAT5e and allows for Gigabit speeds up to a cable distance of 100 metres, and 10 Gbps speeds up to a distance of 55 metres.

CAT6 cable from a reputable, high-quality brand would be our cable of choice. It will provide the best bang for your buck.

Category 6 - Shielded Twisted Pair (CAT6 STP)

Shielded CAT6 cable is the best option in areas of high EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference), and where signal preservation is paramount.

The cable has a layer of foil inside, shielding the wires from external interference. This foil acts as a screen, but it requires a connection to ground/earth at the server side (usually within the data cabinet that houses the terminations) for the screening to be effective. Otherwise, the shielding is ineffective and is nothing more than tin foil.

There are a few different variants of CAT6 STP, but the extra financial outlay from CAT6 UTP is substantially higher in terms of cable cost, RJ45 sockets, installation time (the cable is stiffer than CAT6 UTP and more trickier to handle/route), testing time, alongside other factors.

We will only recommend this cable if it’s necessary for your environment, or if you’re going to use your network installation to transport video/audio i.e. HDMI over Ethernet over short distances of under 50 metres.

Category 6a / 7 (CAT6A / CAT7)

These cable types bring further technical improvements to CAT6 STP, as well as adding significantly more expense to your cabling network.

Gigabit speeds and also 10 Gbps speeds are handled with ease at distances up to 100 metres and beyond. Some variations of these cable types are double screened and optimised for high bandwidth applications (one of the features including very tightly twisted pairs), and therefore will be excellent for HDMI over Ethernet at the longest distances possible within specification.

Would you like a quote? Get in touch with us.