A: No. Whether you need 1 cable
from the d'marc extended, or just simply test
and fix a few bad cables, or a full voice and
data cabling infrastructure completed in a short
notice, give use a call, after all we do offer
free no obligation estimates.
Q:
What is a Plenum cable?
A: Plenum cable is cable which is rated
to be run through plenum spaces. It has
two major requirement in a nutshell: It
cannot burn easily and not emit toxic fumes when
exposed to extreme heat. Plenum space is
the space normally above the suspended ceiling,
however some buildings have plenum space under
the raised floor. Plenum cables are
typically more expensive then PVC Cables.
Most offices building in TEXAS now requires the
use of Plenum cables.
Q:
What is a PVC cable?
A: PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) Cable is the
most common type of cable used prior to Plenum
cable. If a fire occurs, these cables can
emit large amount of toxic smoke. It will
also burn much faster. PVC cables are
typically less expensive then Plenum cables.
Q:
What is the difference between Cat3, Cat5,
Cat5e, Cat6, etc.?
A: First of all cost. The higher
the category tends to be more expensive.
In a nutshell - Cat 3 has less twists per inch
than Cat 5. Cat 5 has less twist then cat
5e. Cat 5e has less twist than Cat 6.
Cat 3 are typically used for telephones, as they
are only used for 10Mbps Network. Cat 5
are typically used for 100Mbps Network.
Cat 5e and Cat 6 are typically used for (1000Mbps) Gigabit
Network.
Q:
What do you recommend we have installed for use
in our Ethernet network?
A: In most circumstances we currently
recommend Cat 5e. The 5e product we use has been
tested by the manufacturer to the the 200Mhz
level which will leave adequate bandwidth for
current and future applications while helping to
keep installation costs down. However if cost is
less of an issue and you're seriously concerned
with higher data rates for future applications
then we would recommend Cat 6.
Q:
Can Cat 5e/Cat 6 work with our existing Cat 5
patch panel?
A: Yes, BUT if different category
components, such as a patch panel or a jack are
used with a higher category component such as a
higher level of cable then your data lines will
only perform to the level of the lower category
device. So if you used Cat 6 cable with a Cat 5
patch panel you should only expect to get Cat 5
performance. For optimum performance ALL
components (data cable, patch panel, jack,
network switches, router, network card, and
patch cables) must be of the same Category
level.
Q:
I
have offices that are a good distance from the
telco closet, what is the maximum length a
Category 5/5e/6 cable can be and still work?
A: According to the EIA/TIA-568 standards
the end-to-end connection between network
devices should not exceed 100 meters (328 feet).
Note that 100 meters is total length including
all patch cables. Officially no one single line
from a patch panel to the outlet in the work
area should exceed 90 meters (294 feet) so that
you have length to spare (10 meters) for the
patch cables running from the outlet to your
computer and from the patch panel to your switch
or hub.
Q:
I
need both voice and data cable installed; is
there any advantage to installing Cat 5e or Cat
6 for my phone system?
A: Having Cat 5e or 6 installed for both
your data and phones offers you the flexibility
to use your phone jacks as network jacks in the
future (assuming you have the cables terminated
onto a patch panel). If you use Cat 3 for your
phones then your future use of those cables will
be pretty much limited to that purpose. Note
that while the price differential between Cat 3
and Cat 5e/6 is getting slimmer the one
disadvantage is still that a Cat 5e or 6
installation will still be more expensive.
Q: Do you
install fiber optic cabling?
A: Yes. We can help you with new fiber
optic cabling from floor to floor, suite to
suite, and even building to building.
Q: What is the
differences between fiber optic cabling and
copper cabling?
A: Fiber optic uses light pulses to transmit
information down fiber lines instead of the
traditional electronic pulses use by copper
lines. Fiber optics is more expensive if
comparing feet for feet. However, if you
are comparing bandwidth and
Q: When do you
recommend fiber optic cabling?
A: There are a few reasons to use fiber
optic cabling instead of Category cabling.
First reason is if you need a cable run that
will surpass the specified maximum length which
is 328 feet. Second reason if you demand
more speed from point a to point b. fiber
optic networks operate at higher speeds -
up into the gigabits. It can carry large
amount of bandwidth.
Q: What kind
of fiber optic cables to I need?
A:
