Structured Cabling

What is the difference between Cat 5e and Cat 6 cabling?

October 15, 2019 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

Cat 5e cabling is the same speed as Cat 6 cabling, 1000Mbps, at any distance over 55 meters. Under 55 meters, Cat 6 is 10x faster than Cat 5e at 10Gbps. For this reason, Cat 6 is often used for shorter runs to utilize its higher speeds.

Both are Ethernet cables, Twisted-Pair cables with four pairs of wires, but Cat 6 cabling has each wire protected from crosstalk (electromagnetic interference (EMI)) by a thicker sheath. It is also wound tighter than Cat 5e. Cat 6 is thus superior to Cat 5e as it is exposed to less crosstalk (which can weaken the signal).

The third benefit from Cat 6 over Cat 5e is increased bandwidth. Cat 6 operates at 250 Mhz while Cat 5e operates at 100 Mhz. This increased bandwidth allows more data to be transferred in a given amount of time.

Cat 5e is a useful cable but it has mostly outlived its useful life and is outdated. Cat 6 and especially Cat 6A are the new standard. Look for our next article on Cat 6 vs. Cat 6A.

ICG is an Axis Gold Channel Partner

September 9, 2019 Kathi Blease News, Structured Cabling

ICG is an Axis Gold Channel Partner and authorized reseller and installer. This means that ICG has two Axis Certified Professionals on staff in addition to their in-house BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD). With the right professionals, ICG can help you design the most efficient and effective CCTV system within your budget- from cameras and encoders to an Network Video Recorder (NVR) and Video Management Software (VMS).

Whether you are transitioning your analog system to a digital VMS or installing a brand new digital Axis camera system, ICG can provide you with the know-how from beginning to end.

Axis is a best-in-class solution to your camera needs. They have been around since 1984 and invented the first network camera, first video encoder, and first network thermal camera. They are synonymous with quality and innovation.

As a Gold Channel Partner, ICG can resell and install Axis cameras nationwide. We are in South Florida but have performed work across the country with a focus on the Southeastern United States. Whether you are in the Southeast Florida Tri-County area or located across the United States, please contact us for a quote.

Why is our name ‘Intranet Communications Group’?

April 10, 2019 Kathi Blease News, Structured Cabling

INTRANET is a Local Area Network (LAN). It involves having multiple computers on a closed network.

Our job is to build the LAN (Intranet) infrastructure for you, but also to allow you to connect to a Wide Area Network (WAN) such as the Internet.

This closed network infrastructure allows for more security, more reliable connections, and faster speeds.

COMMUNICATIONS means that computers and devices talk to each other over the network to transmit voice, data, video, and text. Connectivity between users is a key goal in all infrastructure upgrades.

GROUP refers to the trained and dedicated team we have at ICG.

CCTV

March 26, 2019 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

CCTV which can be known now as IP Video Security as the technology has moved away from analog and towards digital, Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras. Since the cameras use PoE, they can be positioned more strategically and are not tied to an outlet. This flexibility can make a huge difference in terms of their placement.

CCTV allows for searchable records of footage, based on time, location, or other variables. These records can be searched by anyone with access on the network.

Many types of cameras interface with the CCTV network. There is the uni-directional camera, 360-degree cameras, and cameras that are remotely controlled so they can be pointed and adjusted as needed.

These cameras are higher resolution than legacy analog cameras allowing them to capture high granularity. They also have a higher frame rate to generate less choppy images.

CCTV is utilized as a security measure for both Inside Plant (ISP) and Outside Plant (OSP) applications depending upon the specific business or agency requirements.

What do ISP and OSP mean?

February 19, 2019 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

ISP stands for Inside Plant and OSP stands for Outside Plant. According to Building Industry Construction Service International (BICSI), OSP is any network infrastructure installed external to buildings. Our scope includes optical fiber cabling, balanced twisted-pair cabling, and support structures to link locations.

OSP cables are underground, direct-buried, or aerial. ICG specializes in direct-buried which utilizes trenches, pedestals, and communication maintenance holes.

ISP refers to cable installed inside of the building. This includes everything from the patch panel, patch cord, and switch to the cables and jacks.

Each may require a different type of cable and a different method of installation. ISP utilizes wall and ceiling drops, while OSP will likely require trenching.

The Low Voltage Cabling Market is Growing

July 11, 2018 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

5 Quick Tips about Structured Cabling

June 26, 2018 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

1. Always test – Test your cable when terminations are completed to be sure that all your cable runs, and jacks are functioning and properly connected to the switch and patch panel.

2. Have proper documentation – Have your as-built handy and correctly marked to be sure you are running the cable to the correct IDF/MDF from the correct jack. Also, don’t forget the permit!

3. Plan – If your company is not done growing then plan so that your infrastructure is able to support your business’ growth.

4. Make an informed decision – Fiber versus ethernet; Compare speed, price, security, durability, plenum or non-plenum environment, and capacity. Choose the backbone to your network that suits your needs

5. Get full coverage from your Wireless Access Points (WAPs) – Make sure that if you have Wi-Fi installed, there are no dead zones. This should be accounted for ahead of time.

What is FTTP, FTTH, FTTC, FTTX?

June 13, 2018 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

FTTX refers to all types of fiber infrastructure including fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), and fiber-to-the-node (FTTN).

FTTH stands for fiber-to-the-home and is synonymous with FTTP (fiber-to-the-premises). They both refer to a fiber optic cable running directly from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to a home or business location.

FTTC stands for fiber-to-the-curb and refers to a fiber optic cable run to the curb near the user with a copper ethernet cable connecting the fiber at the curb to the final location.

FTTN stands for fiber-to-the-node and refers to a fiber optic cable running to service a large area with copper ethernet cables connecting each location in service area to the node.

CapEx and OpEx

June 5, 2018 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

CapEx and OpEx

Capital Expenditure on a network has many dependencies. The choices your company makes here will affect the operating expenses down the road. Are you planning for future innovation in the telecommunication space so that your network can handle faster speeds? Are you preparing your office to handle new employees with extra jacks and wireless access points throughout your facility/campus? Do you want to power your devices via the network?

Choosing a more recent iteration of the Ethernet cable (6 or 6a) or fiber optics can ensure that you will not need to spend money well into the future on replacing your network. You may just have tweaks (adds, moves, & changes) as your company grows. This would amount to some of the operating expense.

You can also spend more upfront to switch to Power over Ethernet (PoE) for some of your devices. Security cameras, phones, Wireless Access Points (WAP), intercoms, and other devices can be added to your network and be powered by Ethernet cabling rather than Alternating Current (AC). This would reduce your operating expenses as you would spend less on power. You would also reduce operating expenses by switching to a Voice over IP (VoIP) system, significantly reducing your phone bill.

Additionally, all cabling is tested when termination is completed and once successfully tested your structured cabling contractor can provide you with a manufacturer’s extended warranty, ensuring that you don’t have to sink more money into upgrading your network for a significant amount of time.

Upgrading your network can be a win-win for you – with a one-time CapEx cost that prolongs your network’s useful life and reduces operating expenses.

Advantages of Power over Ethernet (PoE)

May 30, 2018 Kathi Blease Structured Cabling

Power over Ethernet (PoE) or remote powering has transformed the way facilities are cabled and the way that electronics are being powered. It uses the same twisted pair data (Ethernet) cable to power the device as it does to connect the device to the Local Area Network (LAN). Devices that can utilize PoE include lighting, cameras, phones, Access Control, Intercoms, Point of Sale Devices (POS), and Wireless Access Points (WAP). Utilizing PoE for all these devices can create an intelligent infrastructure whereby devices can be monitored and controlled via Internet connection.

Additionally, the reduction in cabling allows for more cables in one area in addition to the increased safety of using low voltage wiring. This in turn means lower upfront costs for the owner in terms of installation as the low voltage installer can pull all the cable required without getting an electrician involved. It can also mean lower costs over the life of the network as less electricity is used by the low voltage network.

Devices attached to the network can also be moved more easily because devices are no longer constrained by how close they are to an electrical outlet. Moreover, PoE allows you to put devices in places where it is difficult to install power – like drop ceilings.

Devices on the network can also be backed up by a power supply, something multiple times costlier with many devices running on Alternating Current (AC) power. PoE comes from a sole source rather than many, making the backup process much more straightforward.