The Benefits of Category Cat6A cabling

High speed data-transmission for today and the future
Installations using Category 6a (Cat6a) copper demonstrate the capacity to satisfy high-demand data speed requirements in the majority of horizontal office-environment applications, as well as in many network “backbone” applications. Cat6a (or Augmented Category 6) operates at frequencies up to 500 MHz, twice that of Cat 6. It was defined in February 2008 in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-10 standard.

Cat 6a can support 10 Gbit/s data rates using the 10GBaseT Ethernet network standard up to distance of 90 meters. The fasted rate that can be supported by Cat6 up to 90 metres is 1 Gbit/s using the Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT) standard.

Cat 6a cable is specifically designed to avoid crosstalk interference between cables; a technical hurdle that had to be overcome in achieving 10G data rates. Cat 6a uses larger-diameter conductors, lower packing density and tighter twists. In some cable designs, foil shields are utilised to achieve the necessary performance. The result is less loss of signal strength at high frequencies, significantly better crosstalk isolation between cables and improved heat dissipation.

Information technology managers acknowledge that 10 Gigabit per second Ethernet (or 10GE) over copper exceeds requirements for the majority of office environments. Copper wired networks are generally preferred over wireless networks because copper provides greater security, and because wireless has limitations in a multi-user networks.

In local networks, copper is also preferred over fibre optic cable because total network costs are less expensive when copper is used. Another advantage of copper is its ability to carry low levels of power; enough to power security cameras, card readers or other low power devices.

Fibre optics has its uses in the core or backbone of large networks but copper is generally still preferred as the media of choice for cabling to the desktop. The advent of Cat 6A is expected to extend the dominance of copper cable for datacom applications for many years.

Wireless data transmission is equally problematic, a wireless channel with 50 megabits per second might suit a single user in a home office but it is inadequate in a busy office environment where this capacity is shared. On the other hand, a 10GE copper cabling network could support 10 gigabit data rates for each user simultaneously. That's exactly the solution that IT managers are seeking.

Cat 6a was developed to support network demands of the next generation. It provides superior network performance and bundled cable implementations for channels up to 90 meters. Cat 6A is ideal for large file transfers and installing multiple applications through the network simultaneously. It is also capable of supporting high-end security applications and distributing digital audio and video.

Cat 5e and Cat 6 are suitable technologies today, but will have limiting properties when supporting large data transfers in the future. The continuing and increasing use of IP systems over the network for security and telephony as well as multi media steaming applications will definitely require a Cat 6a network utilising 10 gigabit which will be a pre-requisite within the next 3 – 5 years.

The investment protection with Cat 6a is simple: pay double the price now, and receive 10 times the available bandwidth or, install a Cat 5e / Cat 6 infrastructure and be faced with an expensive rip out in 3 – 5 years time, which will incur a phased downtime for the network and a new investment procedure of a Cat 6a network, which will be substantially more than the market prices available today.

As an approved installer for Cat6a cabling systems from ADC KRONE, HellermannTyton, Nexans and Excel, Lynx Networks can help you with any questions you have.

Contact Lynx Networks.

 

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24-core fibre connector from Complete Connect

A new fibre connect with 24 cores in a 12mm footprint is now available.

A good word for the Fibre Optic Industry Association

I want to put a good word in for the Fibre Optic Industry Association (FIA). They do an excellent job in developing standards and encouraging high quality in the fibre optic installation industrtry. Of course, Lynx Networks are members. Fibre backbones are usually at the core of any sizeable data network.

Low smoke patch cords

Many specifications for data cabling systems ask for the installation of low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) cable but ignore the fact that most patch cords are PVC. If you're specifying or placing an order for a cabling system, consider whether your patch cords should also be LSZH.

When PVC cables burn they give off toxic smoke, gases and acids. LSZH cable is designed to lower the amount of smoke and eliminates Halogens emitted. The performance of the cable isn't affected by the change, they're still ensured to produce maximum cabling speed and data throughput.

Thanks to Connectix for prompting me to post this.

Why are cable prices continuing to rise?

Thank you to John Laban for this article.

Communications Supply Corporation has issued a market brief summarizing the rising costs of cable materials. The brief begins with the good news of the overall economic recovery that is underway. It quickly follows, however, with the reality of price increases on items such as copper, FEP and PVC that are used in the manufacture of cable products. The brief also addresses the rising costs of energy and transportation.

"The communications infrastructure industry is doubly impacted by oil prices, as oil is both a critical component of the many products in the industry and a key factor in their distribution from manufacturer to installation site," CSC explains in its brief.

A 150-percent increase in the price of copper from its January-2009 low, shrinking production of fluorinated ethylene propylene, a 10-percent increase in PVC prices since January 2009, and rising oil prices are conspiring to increase cable prices again, CSC says, noting an October 15 FEP price-hike from Dupont.

IT support in Milton Keynes

IT Support Milton Keynes

Lynx Networks provides excellent IT support and would love to have you as a client. I appreciate, however, that trusting anyone to keep your vital IT system up and running is a big step so I’d like to offer you a free 60-day trial service and network health check.

During the 60 days we will provide unlimited helpdesk phone support and, if your equipment is capable, we’ll even offer free remote login support. On-site expertise, if required, will be charged at our special support agreement rate of £55 per hour plus the cost of any parts. The free network health check will expose any weaknesses, security issues and areas that can be improved to enhance the efficiency of your business.

If you choose to continue with the service after the trial period, the ongoing cost will be a low annual fee (e.g. about £995 for a ten-user network) for telephone support and a guaranteed service level. In addition, remote login support will be £40 per hour and on-site work £55 per hour. This means that you can keep costs under control but have an expert team just a phone call away.

By using Lynx Networks for your IT support, you can dramatically improve the health of your network and virtually eliminate downtime. Your IT system can be refreshed without over spending because it’s our policy never to sell you anything you don’t need.

At Lynx Networks we ask the right questions and listen carefully. We have ability to understand the demands of a business and to ensure the IT is right for it. This is backed up by our accreditations, which include Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, HP Preferred Partner and Cisco Premier Partner.

Our other services include network provision, powerful IT infrastructure, network security, phone systems, VoIP, IP CCTV and cabling.

Unsolicited endorsements from our customers include:

Great service. The engineers are excellent, very helpful and nothing is too much trouble.
Sycamore BMW

We are very happy working with Lynx. Your staff are always friendly and efficient.
FJ Morris

I will recommend Lynx and will definitely use you again. Brilliant job. Very happy with all the work. Priory Middle School

Tim & Richard did an absolutely fantastic job today and I was very impressed with both of their commitment and professionalism. NT Cadcam

There’s so much I can offer you so, to find out more, please call me on 01908 633810 or email alan.bullen@lynxnetworks.co.uk.

Does IP telephony mean you can have fewer network outlets?

The adoption of IP telephony by many organisations is tempting some system designers to opt for fewer network cabling outlets. This is because each PC can connect to a network outlet on the phone rather than a dedicated outlet. The IP phone then connects to a network switch port via the cabling system. The client appears to save on the cost of a cable run and a switch port. However, this is likely to be a false economy. Lynx Networks has considered the current and emerging technologies and has concluded that the minimum number of ports for a user with a phone and a PC should be two: one for the IP phone and one for the PC. Three good reasons for this are:

• IP telephone handsets currently have 10/100 NIC cards so can’t support a Gigabit connection for a PC. Although the technology in the phones will catch up, by then PCs may require a 10G connection.
  
• Complications could arise with 802.1X device authentication. This has to be configured on the switch port that the PC is connected to and at the IPT handset to allow forwarding to the PC. However, not all PCs or handsets allow 802.1X to work in this way. Even if the handset could be configured initially, everything would change if the handset or phone system was changed. Bear in mind that the life of a cabling system is usually much longer than that of a phone system.
  
• To save energy, switches are being developed with ports that turn themselves off when there is no activity. This could cause complications if telephone handsets and PCs are daisy-chained.

The points above are all issues that have been identified in today’s networks. As technology changes and advances it is reasonable to suggest that other considerations and issues will come into play. Against this backdrop, cabling systems must continue to be viewed as long term investments and as such, the infrastructure needs to be designed for maximum future proofing and flexibility; not minimal cost.

Further network outlets may be required for printers, scanners and other network devices.

Alan Bullen