At first glance, one might think that wireless networking may ultimately undermine the role of physical cabling, but insiders say the trend is actually just the reverse. Jack Burlin, product manager at Information Support Concepts, explains, “The placement of Wi-Fi equipment still requires the bulk of the components to be wired together.” For example, wireless access points still demand physical connections to hubs, switches, and other network devices, and interconnecting cabling still requires cable trays and other management products. “This presents new challenges to efficiently running wires between components,” says Burlin.

Device Technologies Spring-Fast Flexi Grommet PHOTO COURTESY OF MIDDLE ATLANTIC Protect cabling from scuffs and cuts as it passes through obstacles www.devicetec.com

Roger Jette, president of Snake Tray, agrees, noting that wireless capability is crucial for bringing network access to locations that may be difficult to network in the traditional sense. Because of this, cable management products used to run wireless product connections must often provide greater access and versatility; wireless devices such as access points are frequently upgraded and relocated to optimize or expand coverage patterns.

When considering future installations, Jette points out the increased emphasis on security and environmental considerations. A new generation of secure cable distribution products is appearing to offer added protection against fire and malicious damage. Other products may also be required to add physical security to a cable plant, preventing unauthorized tapping or sniffing that might compromise secure information. When constructing a new building or renovating an existing structure, Jette notes the emergence of “green” cable distribution products that are nontoxic (do not outgas any toxics), light, cheap to transport (reducing transport fuel costs), and are redeployable/recyclable as changes are made within the building.

Snake Tray 201 Series “Universal” Snake Tray Intended for universal applications, with deployment possible in ceilings, below floors, and along walls www.snaketray.com

Faster & Easier

According to Jette, one of the most important trends in cabling is increased deployment speed and convenience. After 10 years of designing and deploying cable management products, rapid deployment and minimum engineering are essential to successful cabling projects. He points to Snake Tray products that are used overhead, in walls, or under floors but can all be bent by hand in any direction without the need for cutting or clipping. Keeping product accessories to an absolute minimum can greatly simplify the bill of materials for any cabling project, further reducing costly engineering and installation times.

One example of Snake Tray’s philosophy is the 201 series Snake Tray intended for universal applications, with deployment possible in ceilings, below floors, and along walls. Available in 4-, 9-, 25-, and 36-square-inch pathways, Wall Snake can handle up to 800 Category 5/6 cables. As with all Snake Tray products, the Wall Snake is hand-bendable in any direction, and integrated mounting rings (dubbed Snake Eyes) allow suspended installation along a threaded rod without requiring separate mounting brackets. For other mounting options, a simple wall bracket allows suspension from a vertical surface, and under-floor brackets allow attachment to access floor stanchion posts for pathways beneath raised floors. Snake Tray also offers more specialized wall, floor, and ceiling versions.

Information Support Concepts TW12 Reusable Cable Management Straps $9 (package of 12) Hook and loop cable management straps used for bundling cables www.iscdfw.com

With attention often focused on servers and cable runs, planners often forget that cables must invariably pass through walls, cabinets, metal panels, and other obstructions on the way to their destination. Physical openings can sometimes scuff, wear, and cut through cable bundles, resulting in unreliable connections and even outright cable failures. Excessive bends and crimps can also seriously impact network performance. Nick Petri, director of sales and marketing at Device Technologies, says his company’s expertise focuses on cable protection products.

DTI’s Spring-Fast wire grommet edging product allows for fast installation in a wide range of locations. It’s simply a matter of selecting a grommet product to match the thickness of the location. Its nylon material offers corrosion and flame resistance, bend angles to 90 degrees, and low-temperature protection while providing long-life protection for all types of cable installations. Petri says that long life offers far greater value to the product, ensuring that a company’s infrastructure will remain protected as cabling is added, removed, and shifted about to meet the changing needs.

Device Technologies Fast-Drop Radius Control Module PHOTO COURTESY OF MIDDLE ATLANTIC Panduit Type TMC-Low Smoke/Low Toxicity Wiring Duct Uses light, nonmetallic material www.panduit.com

But protection involves more than just preventing cuts and scuffs. Today’s high-speed fiber-optic cables won’t just turn on a dime. Sharp turns can lead to crimps, breaks, and performance problems that may require substantial labor to isolate and resolve, so it’s often best to maintain optical cabling at its recommended bend radius, a task that DTI accomplishes handily with its Fast-Drop radius control module. Manufactured from flame-retardant and impact-resistant polycarbonate and intended to carry large bundle loads, this line of snap-on modules helps to ensure the appropriate minimum bend radius for cabling. The Fast-Drop modules are available in 1-, 1.75-, and 3-inch sizes and can be stacked to accommodate multiple modules at the same locations.

Many IT professionals also extend the notion of “protection” to include cable distribution products that are ever safer for buildings and personnel in distress. Among the wide array of wiring duct products from Panduit, the Type TMC-Low Smoke/Low Toxicity Wiring Duct utilizes light, nonmetallic material that meets Federal Rail Administration Guidelines and National Fire Protection Agency standards (NFPS 130). The TMC wire duct is ideal for “green” cabling applications where low toxicity, low smoke emission, and low flammability are crucial.

At The Rack

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIDDLE ATLANTIC Flame-retardant and impact-resistant polycarbonate intended to carry large bundle loads www.devicetec.com

Of course, network cabling has to terminate somewhere. In many cases, connections are made at centralized networking equipment. With so many connections clustered into relatively small areas, it’s easy to lose track of cables or insert cables improperly/incompletely, often resulting in time-consuming troubleshooting. Burlin points to patch cables as one area of improvement. “A good example is the ‘flush’ patch cable. This type of cable has a combination boot and strain relief molded directly to the RJ45 connector. This makes installation easier in tight spaces and eliminates the need for a slide-on boot,” he says.

Burlin says a big part of cable management is identifying the cables and organizing/routing them to the appropriate destinations. In addition to Information Support Concepts’ numerous rack and accessory products, Burlin points to several notable management products: “There are a range of products that are popular. The TW12 is a package of 12 8-inch hook and loop cable management straps used for bundling cables. Other popular items are the BR1 and BR2, which are 1U and 2U panels with brush grommets. They help provide a clean and organized way to channel cables into or out of a cabinet.” While these are certainly low-tech solutions, it’s often the details that make or break a cable installation.

by Stephen J. Bigelow