Planning a Network for a New or Existing Building
The aim of this white paper is to give business owners, architects or electricians an understanding of the basic requirements for computer networks.
In todays supply cost, Networks are not expensive to install. We find that the cost of upgrading or extending an existing network is as or more expensive than the cost of doing it day one properly
It is also much easier to put in all you'll ever need day one into an empty building or warehouse, than to try and add cabling to a building that is full and has staff working in it.
Work out how many desks or office points you need and then add 50% to it. The biggest problem we find with existing installation's is that only one or two network points are put in per desk or office. When we install a network, we put allocate four points per desk or work-area. This may seem like overkill but let us explain.
1 Point per Computer
1 Point per Phone
That leaves 2, you may add a printer and/or a fax machine
In the age of Voice over IP, you may use the 4th socket for a VoIP Phone.
Lets give you 4 examples
1 Computer, 1 Phone, 1 Fax and maybe a printer
1 Computer, 1 Phone, Colour Printer, Black + White Laser or Copier - (Most modern photo copiers have networking built in.)
1 Computer, 1 Phone, and its not unusual for a sales rep to also have his/her own laptop on the network also.
1 Computer, 1 Phone, 1 Printer and/or Fax. They may also connect the built in fax modem in their PCp.c. to an outside line for faxing PO's or Invoices directly from their PC.
Don't use all Grey cable, Get 4 different colour drums of cable e.g. Grey, Blue, Red + Yellow. This saves a lot of sorting and hassle later on.