Networks and Structured Cabling

This category brings together DataRoad articles on network cabling in small and medium-sized offices — smaller-scale projects than a full structured installation, but which demand the same technical rigor: choosing the appropriate cable category (Cat6 or Cat6A), organising trunking and RJ45 sockets, labelling network points and carrying out certification tests after installation. It is a common requirement for offices moving premises, expanding the number of workstations or replacing old cabling that can no longer support current network speeds. The content gathered here also covers the most frequent mistakes in installations carried out without planning — such as insufficient network points, the lack of an organised cabinet or uncertified cables — and the impact these mistakes later have on network performance and the cost of rectifying them. DataRoad executes these projects with its own technical team, with a network point plan defined before work begins and a certification report delivered at the end. For larger-scale projects with cabinets, patch panels and complete structured networks, please consult Structured Cabling and Computer Networking.