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Cabling infrastructure is fast becoming a vital component of an enterprise's IT strategy. Threat of wireless taking the sheen off wired infrastructure is no longer real as the cabling needs of the enterprises are increasing year after year.

A structured cabling system (SCS) installation is neither vendor-specific nor topology dependent. It offers uniformity, flexibility, scalability, easy and low cost changes, and investment protection of an asset with a very long life-10 years or more.

IT/BPO, BFSI, telecom, education, and health verticals are the usual key drivers for the growth of SCS industry in India. While the major chunk of business still came from BPOs last year, it was the manufacturing industry that promised new excitement to the structured cabling players. Further new areas of business are widening with the opening up of FDI in retail as well as the real-estate boom.

Designing with Cables
Cabling is generally regarded as the lowest-cost component in networking, having a longer upgrade cycle compared to other components such as switches, PCs and other hardware. But as bandwidth increases exponentially, structured cabling vendors are counting on users to re-invest in cabling to accommodate next-generation enterprise applications and deliver communications services such as "triple play" (video, voice and data).

The growing size of networks and the introduction of higher-speed access methods create an overwhelming need for reliable and manageable cabling systems. Careful planning will prevent congestion that can dramatically diminish your network performance. At the same time, a successful enterprise demands flexibility to meet the constant change of personnel and equipment.

An SCS provides a universal platform upon which an overall information system's strategy is built. With a flexible cabling infrastructure, a structured cabling system can support multiple voice, data, video and multimedia systems regardless of their manufacturer. A well-designed cabling plant may include several independent cabling solutions of different media types, installed at each workstation to support multiple system performance requirements.

Some essential steps include identifying the service providers available for the job site; establishing diverse and redundant routes for bringing the service into the facility; coordinating the point of entrance for each respective service provider; accounting for the respective equipment requirements; and allocating space for each service provider.

Some key considerations that need to be borne in mind while designing your cabling backbone are outlined below.

Eye on the Future
Before an enterprise chooses to go for cabling it needs to understand the purpose for cabling. It's important to have a foresight of business growth as SCS will be a long-term commitment. While selecting a structured cabling system, organizations must consider the applications that they may add in future.

Cabling networks are better when built for the future. While constituting only 5% of the total network cost, structured cabling is the basic requirement of the network. Once installed it is expected to last for many years because unlike the active components it cannot be changed at will.

Typically, a networking gear (computers, switches, etc) will have a life of 3-5 years whereas structured cabling can have a life of more than 20 years. That means the cabling you install today should support more than three generations of networking gear.

The most important consideration of course would be the applications that would run on the network. For high-speed bandwidth intensive applications, 10G solutions on copper or fiber are recommended. If the requirement is for 7 x 24 x 365 availability, fail-safe reliability and continuous monitoring and fast installation, etc then data center solutions with lug and play factory pre-terminated and pre-tested structured cabling products like MPOs and MRJ21 are the way to go.

Choosing a Cable Vendor
To ensure that the quality of installation is high, it is critical to have installation partners that are trained and certified. These installation engineers should use the right termination tools to ensure error free installation.

Another consideration in selecting the right cabling vendor should be their offering of value-added support services. These services can include things like design assistance, contractor referrals, installation audits, continuing education, and other programs that are beneficial to your company. While many services are complimentary, some may be fee-based. Costs and service values should be closely explored for the best deal, but such programs and services allow you to form a business partnership with the vendor rather than just purchasing components.

Finally, you will want to look at the variety of warranties they provide as well as what is covered within the warranty. Upon examination, most warranties vary greatly. Some only offer coverage for components (usually referred to as a product warranty). Product warranties may provide adequate coverage for your needs, however, be sure that any product replaced is new and not refurbished.

Careful planning will prevent congestion that can dramatically diminish your network performance

Qualified IT team and experienced consultants would ensure correct medium selection. It is a good idea to narrow down your choice to companies having their manufacturing presence in India, for any customization need as well as to ascertain pre-dispatch performance.

Selecting the Right Medium
Selection of the SCS components as per their designed performance levels is a complex task. The system integrator or cable installer has to consider key issues like size of enterprise, the expansion growth rate expected (at lest for next six years), physical spread and transmission speeds and capacities needed.

It is recommended that one use modular components that are pre-terminated and tested at the factory prior to shipment, where just connecting the components makes the link go up and running. In data centers especially, products like MPO (Modular Push on Connector) for fiber & MRJ21 components for copper are highly reliable and flexible for any MACs. These not only ensure speedy and error free installation, but being pre-terminated and tested they eliminate the need for field testing.