Running a data center is not at all easy. You have to deal with tons of data daily. Above all, you need to ensure that the data stays safe and secure from cyber-attacks and data breaches these days.

Do you know why this happens? This happens because of poor cabling infrastructure. This is where the structured cabling company comes into play. Committing mistakes in data cabling can result in faulty performance.

Not only this, it affects your routine operations and puts your business. This is why we have come up with this post to inform you of the data cabling mistakes you need to avoid to get the optimal performance.

Here’s a sneak peek into the data cabling mistakes to avoid.

Data Cabling Mistakes To Avoid

Most of you don’t know this but even a small mistake in your data cabling can result in poor performance and even loss. Want to know what those mistakes are?

Hear straight from the certified network cable installer and see how a structured cabling company can be of help to you.

Lack of planning

Not planning ahead of the network cabling installation in the data center is a significant mistake to make. It’s crucial to have a proper plan like how everything is going to be laid out before you begin with the installation.

Planning ensures you properly set your network and get the desired performance as expected.

Improper cable management

Do you have tangled, disorganized cables lying all over the data center? This not only makes the data center look messy but also results in cable damage or reduced airflow leading to overheating.

The key is to hire a certified network cable installer to implement a proper cable management system.

The cable installers know how to label the cables properly and use cable trays to organize your cables. They plan your cable runs carefully which in turn results in optimal performance.

Mixing cable types

Using mix-and-match cables such as fiber and copper cables in the same pathways can result in signal interference and physical damage.

Instead of mixing cable types, it is best to use the different cables for different pathways. The network cabling installers also recommend using barriers or maintaining appropriate distances when sharing a pathway.

Ignoring the rules

The cabling installation has certain rules to follow and failure to do so might result in poor cabling installation. The key is to abide by the laws and rules made by the state, local, and federal governments.

So, make sure to read the rules and instructions before you begin with the installation or seek help from the structured cabling company.

Not paying heed to future needs

Data centers fail to take note of their future needs which in turn causes them difficulties later on and makes it difficult for them to add new equipment. This also requires data centers to get it done all over again.

The solution? Make sure to ask your certified network cabling installer to have an additional space in your cabling to support your future needs.

This ensures you have a cabling installation that’ll be used to support your future needs as well and will help you in scaling your business.

Neglecting cable testing

You might not know this but many network links go unused after a certain point of time after the installation. This means if there are any faults, they’ll be discovered later on.

Consequently, it is crucial to test that all the links and cabling are working properly and are giving optimal performance. Ask the structured cabling company to ensure continuous testing, performance testing, and certification. This ensures that the cabling complies with the industry standards.

No documentation

Another common mistake that most data centers make is no documentation. Lack of documentation can result in confusion, errors, and increased downtime while figuring out issues or doing upgrades.

This is why certified network cabling installers recommend having detailed and up-to-date documentation of your cabling infrastructure.

While documentation, take note of cable routes, connections, and any changes that were made with time. This ensures you have efficient documentation in place and can troubleshoot issues faster.

Overlooking cable radius

The next cabling mistake is overlooking the minimum cable radius, especially the fiber optic cables. Exceeding the minimum limit can result in signal degradation or complete failure of the cabling infrastructure.

It’s best to adhere to the cable radius. Also, consider using cable management tools such as cable trays and cable managers.

Wrapping Up

These are the data cabling mistakes you need to avoid to ensure optimal performance all the time. The best way? Hire a certified network cable installer to ensure the installation is done the right way.