How to make good LAN infrastructure cabling
Important things to consider when wiring your LAN include the purposes of the cabling, the location where you are wiring, and the users or devices that need to connect to this network. It is important to note that there are mainly two types of network switches that can always be used in the LAN infrastructure. They are standard Power over Ethernet switches none (POE) and POE switches. POE switches are those that not only transmit data packets, but also power the device at the receiving end.
The location where the LAN infrastructure is installed is important because it will determine the type of CAT6 cable that you should use. There are mainly two types of CAT6 cables that you can choose from. They are shielded twisted pair (STP) and unshielded twisted pair (UTP). STP is technically recommended for outdoor situations as they come with additional shielding in the holster. This extra sleeve ensures your cables won’t wear out or break when subjected to harsh outdoor conditions. STP cable is usually stronger and more expensive compared to indoor UTP cable.
Make a smart choice of switches in the network
The choice of a change between POE and no POE will depend on whether or not you need to power any device through the network, such as IP phones, cameras, access points, among many others. Network switches are often rated by their data transfer speeds. Faster switches are always better as they will improve your connectivity speeds and ensure a better network.
Factors to consider when configuring the LAN
1. The number of users on the network is a key factor to take into account. This is because it will determine the subnet that you can use. If you are going to have more users than a single subnet can contain, you must ensure that you give a range that will contain all of your projected users. We will talk about managing the subnet mask in our next article.
2. Make sure to view your devices and especially the shared resources on your LAN. These shared resources will include devices such as printers, scanners, SQL database servers, exchange servers, and access points, among others. These devices are almost always assumed to have static Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. We will also discuss IPs in another article so we can get a better picture. To avoid confusion and conflicts on your network, a smart network administrator should always have shared devices on static IP addresses for ease of administration. However, it is crucial to ensure that you do not give these devices IP addresses within the lease range of your Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) server.
3. Make sure you have a firewall between your Internet Service Provider (ISP) router and your LAN switches. This is important as it helps to ensure that you protect your network from unauthorized intrusion or login. A good firewall will always improve security, and these choices can be made based on the finer details and your network usage.
In summary:
It’s worth noting that all of the above factors will only guarantee you a good network when you have your modules and patch panels properly completed. Always make sure your cables are tested and have passed LAN tests before you start connecting devices to the network. Having your entire LAN setup secured in a good clean power enclosure will also go a long way in ensuring you have a stable and reliable network in the long run.