CAT5e or CAT6 structured cabling
A good cabling infrastructure should have the following specifications: a comms or server cabinet to house patch panels and key IT kit including switches and routers, and "flood wired" faceplates to allow every possible network connected device to have its own network connection, including PCs, WAPs, PDQ machines, printers and scanners, server and firewall.
The cabling should be hidden but not tightly bent, run near power cables, crimped tightly or stapled. Low smoke cabling should be used to minimise smoke in the event of fire. Points should be tested end to end with FLUKE test kit once fitted. All faceplates should be labelled and correspond to numbered points at the switch end of the network.
Comms and server cabinets
CAT6 cable supports at least gigabit connections. A comms cabinet is usually wall mounted, usually at high level, and contains your patch panel, switches, and usually other comms equipment including at least the firewall and router. A server cabinet contains everything in the comms cabinet, but is also large enough to house the server or servers and UPS.
Planning a build or refit?
See our squat practice setup service and read why structured cabling matters more than you think.