A network comprises switches, routers, computers, printers, ethernet cables, and several other components. The most important part of any network is its ethernet cables bulk. Something goes south and your whole network is disconnected. Therefore, it becomes of immense importance that you take great care of your whole network and specifically ethernet cables if you want to enjoy optimum connectivity.
Label each ethernet cable
The rule of the thumb is that you always label your ethernet cables in your network. Why? Because if any problem occurs in the networking, you will have a clear idea about all ethernet cables and it will become convenient to troubleshoot. Be it plenum ethernet cable or riser ethernet cable or PVC cables, it always comes in handy to label your ethernet cables. And our experts recommend that you label all other components of your network as well as doing so gives you full authority over your network.
Pick Right Ethernet Cable
There is a wide variety of ethernet cables available in the market. From Cat5 ethernet cable to Cat8 ethernet cable, and from plenum ethernet cable to direct burial ethernet cable. Therefore, it is always important that you select the right cable for your network.
For instance, if your network consists of high-speed applications and you install a Cat5e cable, whole connectivity will be disrupted as this category of cable can support maximum data transfer rates of 1Gbps with a bandwidth capacity of 350 MHz. It simply means that the ethernet cable does not have the capacity to support your applications and the result is disruption and below-par performance.
Likewise, if you need a cable for the simple residential network but you install a Cat7 or Cat8 cable, it will simply increase the installation cost by a wide margin.
Then, there’s a factor of harsh environments and soft environments. Harsh environments are places where crosstalk and EMI (electromagnetic interference) are very high. For such environments, it is always recommended by experts that you use shielded twisted pair (STP) Ethernet cables with pure copper conductors. STP cables have great protection against crosstalk and EMI and with pure copper conductors, they provide optimum connectivity. For environments where crosstalk and EMI are of no concern, it is always advisable to use unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables as they carry a low and affordable price tag.
Then, there’s a factor of cables’ jackets. For plenum spaces, you will use a plenum ethernet cable as they have fire resistance and UV resistance properties. For riser spaces, you will use a riser-rated cable, for outdoor installations, you will use a PVC jacket cable. Likewise, for installation in the underground spaces, you will need a direct-burial cable.
Measurements
Measurement is an important factor in both ethernet cables’ bulk management and protection. When you have exact measurements, your network becomes cost-efficient and extra cables are not exposed to edges (which we will discuss in the next section). Also, as cable waste is less, your network offers optimum connectivity and you get supreme results.
Keep Cable Away From Edges
Be it plenum ethernet cable or riser ethernet cable, it is always recommended that you keep your ethernet cables away from the edges. When an ethernet cable comes in contact with edgy substances, either their jacket is broken or their conductors are destroyed. In the first case, your ethernet cable is exposed to crosstalk and EMI and in the second case, your ethernet cable simply doesn’t pass the data, and connectivity stops.
Keep Ethernet cables away from Electric Cables
For optimum performance, it is always best to keep your Ethernet cables bulk away from the electric or any other types of cables. When your ethernet cables come in contact with other cables such as electric wires, signals mess with each other, crosstalk occurs, and whole connectivity is disrupted. Therefore, when installing ethernet cables, always run ethernet cables by keeping a distance from the other cables.
Use Right Devices
For optimum cable performance, security, and management, we recommend you always use the right and updated devices for your network. Else, the whole connectivity is compromised.
Use Cables that meet standards
Always select the ethernet cables for your network that meet or exceed the industry standards. These standards include TIA/EIA, ISO/IES, CE, CSE, among many others. Likewise, always pick the manufacturer whose ethernet cables bulk are in complete compliance with RoHS.
By following this simple set of rules, you can ace cable management and protect your cable from outside and inside threats as well.
