Every moment of every day, our world conducts business, builds relationships, and shares memories through the Internet superhighway. A sprawling network of cables and cell towers carries these messages, with data centers serving as distribution centers and waypoints.
They serve this essential role behind powerful servers, networking devices, and the almighty cable.
While cabling is one of the most critical components of these centers, their unassuming nature means it often gets overlooked.
Understanding Data Centers and the Role of Proper Cabling
Within a data center, you would find rooms filled with the industrious hum of electronics, keeping our world connected. These distribution centers house servers for websites, online games, and services of every variety. They also provide massive storage centers to facilitate cloud computing and networking devices that keep everything connected.
An endless sea of cables can be found throughout these centers, like the Internet in miniature. These cables are tasked with seamlessly carrying immense volumes of data throughout these systems. However, choosing cabling is essential to the smooth operation of these centers.
The right cables ensure that data is transferred flawlessly, reducing cable-related downtime. If data cables are of poor quality, they may be inadequate for the task. They are also more prone to manufacturing faults and withstand less wear and tear, impacting the smooth operation of the data center. These cables can lead to financial losses for the center and the people they serve.
Suitable Low Voltage Cabling for Data Centers
Due to how information is transmitted, most cables used in data centers are rated for low voltage. Those few cables that aren’t are used to power the servers, lights, and cooling systems that sustain them. Low-voltage cables are the infrastructure that determines the performance and scalability of the data center.
The two prominent forms of cable are Ethernet Cables and Fiber Optic Cables:
● Category 6 (Cat6), Category 6A (Cat6A), and Category 7 (Cat7) Ethernet Cables: These twisted pair cables can support high-speed data transmissions and are suited for high-frequency applications. Cat6A and Cat7, in particular, offer enhancements in bandwidth and are more suited for environments that require higher performance and reduced crosstalk.
● Fiber Optic Cables: High-speed cables are essential for data centers demanding high bandwidth and long-distance data transmission without degradation. Their immunity to electromagnetic interference makes them perfect for use in data centers in environments with high electrical interference.
These two types of cables offer a range of benefits regarding durability, speed, and effectiveness. Fiber Optic Cables offer lightning-fast data transmission but are more easily damaged, costly, and difficult to install. Ethernet cables have lower transmission speeds than fiber optics but are generally more durable and reliable.
Important Considerations In Data Cabling Systems
● Structured Cabling Systems: The first step in designing a cabling system is having a plan that includes standardization. Implementing this plan ensures a solid vision for expanding the system as the center grows. The plan should also contain room for integration of technological advances and upgrades.
● Effective Cable Management: Cable management is a multi-stage process that starts with proper labeling. Cable systems can become overwhelming, twisted, and confusing without proper management. Implementing color-coded schemes, labels, and cable manager devices will save time and improve maintenance.
● Redundancy: Reliability is critical to those who rely on data centers, and redundancy is vital to reliability. Redundancy ensures that if a part of a data center goes down, these redundant systems pick up the slack. Redundancy systems can include back-ups, dual-storage systems, and remote data centers that take over when one goes down.
Get Great Results by Consulting Data Center Cabling Experts
Building and managing a data center is a complex affair that requires many fields of expertise to achieve successfully. Data cabling is the backbone of their operation and shouldn’t be left to inexperienced hands. Turning to a reputable distributor that specializes in low-voltage wire and cable services is the way to go.
Data center management companies know they can depend on the team of wire and cable experts at Onsite Wire & Cable. With two fully stocked locations in Michigan and Maryland, you’ll find exactly what you need without the wait. Our customer first approach has made us a top supplier of low-voltage wire and cable products throughout the Mid-West and East-Coast Contact us today for a Quick Quote to ensure effective, reliable results for reliable data center operations.