Network Problems? Should you upgrade your network cabling?

First you must check that there are not non-cable related problems slowing system response times or intermittent or constant problems such as excessive errors that are not caused by degrading computer network equipment, causing slowing response times. These problems may be caused by failing servers, switches or routers or other network equipment, such as fiber to copper conversion equipment and monitoring equipment, among other possibilities.

Plans must be considered for future cabling needs for increased distance transmission, and higher speeds required for the network equipment. Changing or replacing cabling is expensive, time consuming, and may involve removal of older cabling in order to have space in the wire trays or ducting, where the new wiring cable will be installed.

Problems cured by replacing or upgrading cables include insertion loss (attenuation), near end and far end crosstalk, propagation delay and skew, return loss, transfer impedance, and power sum. Check the TIA and ISO standard references. If you are now transmitting higher speed data than the network was designed for or increased transmission distance, upgrading your cable may be the solution. You may also refer to our website papers that describe Cat 5, Cat 5e, or Cat 6 cable standards and fiber details, which may be the required solution.

Cat 5 – 4 twisted pair UTP copper has bandwidth of 100 MHz and conducts 100 Mbps.

Cat 5e – 4 twisted pair UTP copper cable has bandwidth of 100 MHz and conducts 100/1000 Mbps.

Cat 6 – 4 twisted pair UTP copper cable has bandwidth of 240MHz and conducts 1000/10,000 (Gig) Mbps.

Cat 6a has bandwidth of 500 MHz and 1000/10,000 (Gig) Mbps.

Cat 7 has bandwidth of 600 MHz and 1000/10,000 (Gig) Mbps.

Any redesign or expansion of the network may require upgrading of your network cable and should be checked against the registered standards and improved capabilities, before changing any network cabling, because , including the new cabling and labor to install it, it can be costly, but it may be necessary to improve network operation.