When the network misbehaves, most people blame the internet provider, the Wi-Fi or the computers.
Often the real problem is hidden in the walls and ceiling: the network cabling. It is the part of
your network nobody looks at, and it can quietly cause problems for years.
Here are seven signs it’s time to have your cabling looked at.
1. Connections drop for no obvious reason
If some desks lose their connection now and then, and restarting the computer or switch “fixes” it
for a while, suspect the cable. Damaged cables, loose terminations and poor-quality patch leads cause
intermittent faults that are hard to pin down without proper testing.
2. Some areas of the office are always worse than others
When problems cluster in one part of the office, that often points to a particular cable run, a
damaged section or a connection point, rather than the equipment at the desk.
3. The network is slower than you’re paying for
If you’ve upgraded your internet plan or switches but speeds inside the office haven’t improved,
older cabling may be the bottleneck. Older categories of cable and badly terminated connections can
limit the speed your equipment is able to reach.
4. Nobody knows what anything is connected to
Unlabelled ports, undocumented runs and a patch panel nobody dares touch make every move, add or
change slow and risky. If tracing a single connection takes an afternoon, the cabling is costing you
time.
5. The comms room has become a tangle
Years of additions often leave a nest of cables that blocks airflow, makes troubleshooting difficult
and increases the chance of something being unplugged by accident.
6. You’ve moved, renovated or rearranged
Office changes tend to leave behind extended runs, cables pinched under furniture or doors, and
connections added in a hurry. These shortcuts are a common source of faults later on.
7. You’re adding new technology
New phones, IP cameras, wireless access points and displays all put new demands on your network,
and many of them draw power over the network cable. It’s the ideal moment to check that the
cabling can support them.
What a cabling check involves
A proper assessment goes beyond a visual inspection. Each run is tested and certified so you know
which cables meet the standard, which ones are faulty and what speeds the network can actually
support. From there you can decide whether targeted repairs will do or whether a full recable makes
more sense.
For a real example, read how we fixed the root cause of years of network drops for a Vancouver
investment firm with a complete office recable.
Get your cabling checked
Intra Systems has been installing data and fiber cabling and providing
LAN maintenance for businesses across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland since
1990. Our local technicians can test what you have, explain what they find in plain English and
recommend the right fix.
Request a quote or contact us to book an assessment.