Structured cabling is a popular option for many organizations for some very good reasons. Despite this, people unfamiliar with this concept might be a bit confused as to what exactly structured cabling is. So, what is structured cabling, and how can it benefit your business?
Here you’ll learn more about structured cabling, how it works, and what it can do for your IT operations.
What Is Structured Cabling and How Does It Work?
Structured cabling is a type of data cabling solution that can allow for efficient and smooth data transmission across your entire infrastructure. For example, you can use structured business cabling to facilitate flawless or near-flawless video, voice, and other data communications throughout a building.
It works by using, as the name would suggest, a highly structured hardware setup that facilitates reliable data transmission. The setup is typically as follows:
- A patch panel sits at the rack’s top, where many ports exist to allow for the connection of other pieces of hardware
- The main distribution area, or MDA, contains another patch panel that can connect with that top patch panel using various trunks
Within that MDA, you can make any modifications to your cabling structure as needed through the use of shorter patch cords. This complete, organized structure will ultimately help you make full use of structured cabling to optimize your infrastructure.
Why Is Structured Cabling Important for Businesses?
A structured cabling system offers numerous advantages that make it ideal compared to other less organized data cabling setups.
Some of the specific benefits of structured business cabling include:
Keep Your Business Cabling Setup Organized
One of the principal benefits of a structured cabling system is the ability to more effectively organize all of your data cables. You’ll no longer need to worry about plugging in the wrong cable or getting confused about which cable or plug goes where, as everything will be properly laid out and make it clear where things go.
Also, keep in mind that this level of organization isn’t only beneficial in terms of simplifying your data cabling—it can also help physically protect your infrastructure. If cables and wires become tangled over time, they might bend and squeeze, causing inefficient data transmission that compromises your IT operations.
Improved Flexibility
You’ll likely need to make changes to your cabling infrastructure at some point as data transmission needs and services change. This is another area where a structured cabling system can come in handy, as you’ll be able to easily locate the cables you need to swap out or reconnect elsewhere.
Additionally, you can easily make any necessary updates to your system and transport your rack to a new area or facility.
Cost Savings
Structured cabling can also help you save more money on data transmission systems by reducing power consumption, reducing maintenance needs, and optimizing the efficiency of data transmission for high-quality communications. Subsequently, your business will benefit from increased efficiency and productivity that can make structured cabling services and solutions worth the investment.
Keep Things Up and Running
Structured business cabling will also help you maintain efficient and error-free operations that help avoid potentially time-consuming mistakes that might otherwise set you back. This leads to even more productivity that further improves cost-effectiveness.
Structured Cabling Services at DCS
As part of our IT infrastructure management solutions, Data Collaboration Services can help you implement a structured cabling system that works best for your operations. The right solution will help you maximize your IT infrastructure’s efficiency and help you save more money in the long run.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your data cabling and other IT management requirements, and we’ll work with you to help develop the right solution for your organization.
