Network Cabling: The Cord That Binds Technology
There’s a phase during the construction process of any new or remodeled office space that garners little attention but has big implications, network cabling. Sure a lot of attention is put into getting large concrete support columns and walls in place, and even more attention goes into the finishing details of any build out, from carpet and tiles colors and patterns to built-in countertops, fixtures, and finishings. But it is the network cabler that could be considered the unsung hero of your new office space. After all, he’s the one that brings all that technology to your fingertips.
We’ve all seen a run of Cat 5 cable, that blue cord with a funny looking phone jack at the end of it. Before the days of personal wireless routers you probably even had a small piece of cat 5 tethered to the end of your personal computer so you could access that high speed broadband connection you paid so much to install. But businesses rely on network cable such as Cat 5 for much more than just logging on to their email accounts. Network cabling is the lifeblood of the physical network delivery system. Without a properly wired building, we’d be unable to send reports to clients, check email, or surf the web; phone systems would ring dead, and even the CCTV security camera would go dark and our CT security systems would prove useless.
It’s a lot to think about. Luckily the thinking is left for a select few knowledgeable professionals who understand what it takes to hardwire a shell of concrete and cinderblock into a fully functioning multifaceted office space.
Traditionally, network cabling takes place during the build out phase of construction, commonly coinciding with jobs like electrical and plumbing. The most common method for running network cable is between the hard ceiling/roof and the tile drop ceiling most commercial spaces utilize. This dead space makes the perfect place for network cable because it allows access to every point in the building without demanding a permanent solution. From drop ceiling spaces cable can be moved, rerun, and replaced to meet changes in workspace requirements. In some instances network cable must occupy more permanent spaces, such as sharing electrical conduit, pvc tubing, or even directly embedded in the concrete.
Once cable is run to the required spaces a network drop is placed. The network drop is just as it sounds, the cable is dropped from its perch in the ceiling through walls, or directly through the ceiling tile where it is terminated. A terminated cable is simply one that has been connected to an outlet or device. On the other end the cable is connected to the network routers, multi-port switches, and modems. The end result is a wired office space ready to send and receive data, both on the internal intranets and the external internet.
Just like without the wheel we wouldn’t have the car, without network cabling no office would be able to function in the 21st century. As such we al owe a great deal of appreciation and respect to the humble network cable guy, pulling his way into our hearts one office at a time.
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