Top Factors Impacting the Design of Data Cabling Systems
Before installing a data cabling system, you will first need to come up with an appropriate design for the system. A data cabling system that is correctly designed and installed provides a cabling solution that ensures optimal performance of computer networks as well as telephone systems. If you are considering setting up a data centre to meet your business requirements, you need to ponder over the design of the data cabling infrastructure required.
Here are some top factors to consider when you are coming up with the design of your data cabling system:
Scalability of the system
In data cabling system design, scalability refers to the capacity of the system to meet the current demands of a specific application and also to cope with increased workload down the line. Before installing cabling infrastructure, it is important that you determine if you have enough functional space to support your current and future demands. This may mean determining the optimal number of ports, patch panels, server racks, sockets, switches and other hardware components you will require for your data cabling infrastructure. Also, make sure there is ample space for extra lengths of cable to run without being over-bundled.
System manageability and flexibility
Another important thing that you need to consider when designing your data cabling system is how the system can be managed. Of course, you will need to easily access various system components when you are performing scheduled maintenance or making repairs. Your data cabling infrastructure should be designed in such a way that makes it is easy for data cabling technicians to locate system components for inspection, maintenance and repairs.
What is more, it should be possible to move equipment and make changes to the system with relative ease.
System availability
Your data cabling infrastructure should function without causing you unnecessary downtime. Knowing how long you need the system working reliably can help you determine system availability and redundancy, so you can ensure your cabling infrastructure doesn't fail you at times of need.
Cost of system operation
The cost of running a data cabling system varies by application. Therefore, you will need to take this into consideration when you are designing your data cabling system. Determine how much money you are willing to spend to keep the system operational, keeping in mind that you get exactly what you pay for most of the time.
A data cabling system that's expensive to install may prove to be relatively cheap to operate and maintain while one that's can be installed cheaply may actually be costly to keep running.
If you need someone to help you design your data cabling system, you should consult an experienced data cabling technician.