The Hidden Dangers of Poor Network Cabling in Your IT Infrastructure
While many businesses focus on high-profile IT issues like cybersecurity or software updates, quality network cabling is just as crucial for maintaining a reliable and secure IT environment. By understanding the risks of poor network cabling in your IT infrastructure, you can take proactive steps to ensure your network cabling is up to scratch and avoid potentially costly consequences.
At CAB IT, we seek to give you industry-leading support across all your IT needs. In this blog, we’ll explore why network cabling quality matters, go over common issues poor network cabling can cause so you can see if any match your current concerns, and introduce the best practices for network cabling so you can make an informed decision for your IT systems.
Why Network Cabling Quality Matters
Network cabling is the backbone of your business’s IT infrastructure. A well-structured cabling system ensures reliable internet access, fast data transfer, and minimal downtime, which are essential for smooth business operations.
Compared to wireless networks, wired connections offer greater security and stability, reducing the risk of cyber threats and technical failures. Additionally, investing in high-quality cabling can lead to long-term cost savings by minimising maintenance needs and ensuring compatibility with future technologies.
Some key benefits of high-quality network cabling include:
- Reliable connectivity
- Higher speeds and performance
- Infrastructure scalability
- Reduced downtime
- Better security
- Improved cost-efficiency
Common Issues Caused by Poor Network Cabling
Poor network cabling can lead to a number of common issues for your business. From slow and unresponsive systems to authentication errors, even seemingly unrelated events could be attributed to your network cabling.
Take a look through this list and see if any of these are problems you’re experiencing, or have experienced in the past. If so, your network infrastructure may be in need of an overhaul. Get in touch to find out more.
Unstable Network Performance
Are you experiencing slow or inconsistent network speeds? This can have a major impact on your daily operations and productivity, so if you’re experiencing shoddy download rates or dropped connections despite paying a premium for your internet, your cabling may be the issue.
Security Vulnerabilities
Concerned about security? Low-quality or outdated cabling systems can expose the network to security risks through malformed data packets, slow response times, or drops in network connection, putting you and your data at risk of cyber threats.
Increased Downtime
Does your internet keep dropping out? Faulty or poorly installed cables can cause frequent network outages, leading to costly downtime and reduced efficiency.
Scalability Issues
Are you trying to grow your business, but your IT systems can’t seem to keep up? Without a flexible and well-organised cabling infrastructure, expanding your network to accommodate growing business needs can become complex and costly. Proper initial installation can futureproof your IT infrastructure, making adding new connections a breeze.
The Best Practices for Network Cabling
Ensuring optimal performance for your business requires a best-practice installation for your network cabling. This will safeguard your IT systems into the future, and ensure maximum uptime and transfer rate as you go about your daily business.
Plan Your Cabling Layout
Assess what your current needs are, and how they might change in the future. Try and create a scalable layout that aligns with your space and growth, considering the potential of future integrations like IoT devices and cloud services.
Plan where additional cabling will go, and how it will connect with your current system. Using a structured cabling system is ideal to ensure a seamless result with easier troubleshooting.
Use High Quality Cables
Investing in cables that meet industry standards is vital to ensure your network reliability and speed. While copper cabling may appear the more financially lucrative option compared to fibre optics, the impact on your business can be noticeable. Picking fibre optic cables are more likely to keep your business running smoothly into the future, even as your network load increases.
Labelling and Documentation
Clearly labelling all your cables and connections at each end is a simple yet vital step to ensuring better network cabling. This makes it easier to identify what cables are and where they’re going, bringing order to the chaos of your IT systems.
Documentation of this is also crucial, as it can help you understand your network infrastructure at a glance without having to manually check every cable to find the link you’re after.
Cable Organisation Tips
Here are some tips to keeping your cables organised:
- Use cable management solutions e.g.:
- Racks
- Trays
- Ties
- Keep cables neat and prevent tangling
- Separate power and data cables to reduce interference
- Use shielded cables in environments with high electrical or electromagnetic interference
- Avoid excessive cable lengths
Test Your Network
Testing your network before and after installation is important to show how your network cabling has impacted your overall performance. This will monitor signal quality, connection integrity, and performance, ensuring all cabling has been implemented properly and won’t cause any additional headaches down the line.
Adhere to Safety Standards
Falling under the Construction Projects Regulation (CPR), network cabling safety is important to prevent issues like electrical fires born from poorly considered infrastructure setups. Make sure you’re following all electrical codes and industry standards during your installation, and use fire-rated cables to ensure compliance with building regulations for fire safety.
Perform Regular Maintenance and Inspections
After you’ve finished upgrading your network cabling, you will still need to periodically check it for wear, damage, or outdated components. Proper maintenance is integral to your continued performance, so ensure your cables are securely connected, free from physical damage, and are replaced as required throughout your business operations.
Protect Your IT Infrastructure with CAB IT
Poor network cabling can cause many different issues with your business operations, while quality network cabling can lead to better profits, more secure systems, and easier growth. So it’s clear how important improving and maintaining your network infrastructure is to your business’ future.
At CAB IT, we provide businesses like yours with leading network infrastructure services including data cabling, structured cabling, and more. Improve your network cabling today and safeguard your business into the future – contact our team to find out more.
Explore these network cabling problems that could compromise your systems >
Learn how to improve your business’ network infrastructure >
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