Whether you are building up a new data center or you are simply modernizing your current one, keeping a close eye on your data network cabling is a must if you want to save you a great deal of testing and troubleshooting down the line. You might spend countless hours testing your data structure before you realize it was a cabling issue that easily could have been prevented.
The most common issues with data center cabling are:
Incorrect Polarity:
If you have incorrect polarity in your cabling, this will prevent the transmitting signal from your hardware from ever reaching your receiver and will cause downtime that can only be fixed by testing multiple causes until you locate the problem.
Incorrect Cable Lengths:
A short cable will be unable to physically complete the needed connection. But on the other hand, if a cable is too long, it can cause issues tracing the cable when hardware maintenance is due and reduce airflow which can cause thermal problems. Not to mention that it doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing as a well-managed cabling situation in your build.
Inadequate Cabling Speeds:
When installing your cabling infrastructure, you need to make sure it’s adequate for future hardware upgrades. As technologies evolve and speed increases, you might find yourself needing to change a connection or even the cables themselves.
A common example of this is a transceiver that requires an MPO connector versus, the most common on today’s standard LC connector, in which case you will need to upgrade.
The importance of avoiding these issues
It could be a big problem for a company to have to shut down its network. Not only can it cause financial losses but also affect the capacity of the company to meet their commitments to their clients.
Becoming familiar with your current data center network cabling, like the technologies being used, and identifying weak spots and potential risks, will help you prevent a major issue before it even happens by designing solutions that limit these possible threats.
Any time maintenance is done in your network, taking the time to identify and correct any existing problems will make your upgrading process more efficient but also will also give you great benefits in the long run.
Our recommendations when working on your network infrastructure for your data center:
1. Keep overhead diagrams that show your cabling pathways and specifics on the cabling and connectors being used.
2.Plan for when your business grows and your data center needs to be upgraded for newer technologies and faster speeds.
3.Make it accessible to service it.
4.Make sure you have the appropriate cabling and connectors for your current installation.
A little effort now goes a long way in the future
While there are always unexpected problems when doing maintenance to your structured cabling network and data center, prevention is key to avoid issues that can harm your business operations. Having an overhead blueprint of your network and the materials used on the network structure will help you have a smooth maintenance process and upgrading.
If you are thinking of upgrading your data network cabling or need any structured cabling services, Tx Intellicomm is your best choice for a qualified technician with extensive experience in designing, building, and remodeling data centers as well as providing network cabling solutions in Houston tx
