Charlestown Data & Telecom Services

Frequently Asked Questions
1	Does the installation of network cabling require specialist knowledge and experience?
	In a word…YES! However, some electricians and telephone engineers have had basic training in network cabling … but they are few and far between. If you are unsure, discuss the cabling performance and IEEE-TIA compliance or network speeds and cross talk, attenuation and return loss with them. Find out which tester they use and the frequency range it scans at and whether it is Cat5e or Cat6 compliant - bear in mind that the hardware outlay for a good network tester should be around Ł3,500. Are all the components they use balanced at the specified frequencies? Also, find out who supplies their cable and components and whether they will support the installation and a manufacturer's 15 year warranty. The rule of thumb on this one is BUYER BEWARE! Ask a lot of probing questions before committing yourself to an installer. A professional installation company will find the time to answer all your questions.
2	Can I tell if my existing network will handle specific data rates?
	Yes, Charlestown Data & Telecom Services will inspect your existing cabling and produce a report showing the data rate that the cable is capable of handling.
3	Can one type of cabling support high speed computers, servers, local workstations as well as telephones and ISDN?
	ANSWER Yes, the current Category 5e (and Category 6) cabling will support all these applications.
4	How can I be sure that the cable that is installed today will perform at the specified data rates in years to come?
	ANSWER The cabling company must have a cable analyser, which will run tests on the cables up to 100MHz and generate a hard copy of the results for your records. (Category 6 network infrastructures will perform at data rates up to 200 MHz)
5	Is all Category 5 & 6 cable made to the same specification?
	Well known wholesalers to the Electrical trade supply cable marked as Category 5 but when tested straight from the packaging prior to installation there have been instances where it has failed a Category 5 test. As most electricians do not carry the essential and correct test equipment, they would have bought and used these products for your network. As we are specialists in data and telecom cabling we ensure that the products we use are strictly tested and installed correctly to ensure the optimum performance of your network.
6	Are all network components made to the same specification?
	The saying “You get what you pay for” applies here! In today’s market most network components are suitable for the applications that they were designed for, but as with everything produced in the world today they are manufactured to varying qualities. The major factor is to ensure that these components are matched or balanced to ensure that your network channel is compliant and meets the required specifications and standards.
7	Which cable and components should be specified for a new network?
	As Charlestown would only specify cable and components from the best recognised manufacturers, this ensures that they will comply to Category 5 standards or higher. Once the network is completed we will provide you with a detailed test report showing the performance of your network channels. The hardware supplier will then issue a network guarantee from the findings in our report.
8	Will my existing network be operational during the installation?
	There is no reason why your existing network should be affected throughout the cable installation. However, there may be a period of downtime during the change over.
9	There seem to be many systems and installers. How do I choose the best companies to work with?
	Network cabling is a specialist field. After an initial meeting you should be able to ascertain whether or not they are a proficient cabling company. Obviously, you should also check their references and ask what guarantees they give for the products and workmanship they propose to carry out for you.
10	Why choose Charlestown Data & Telecom Services to handle your project?
	We are specialists in the implementation of networking and communications infrastructures. By looking at the 360° picture we provide more than just a product, preferring to focus on a complete solution. A Project Manager is given responsibility for a project from start to finish and they are responsible for the co-ordination of resources to ensure that the Service Level Agreements are adhered to. Charlestown can provide the ultimate solution for your needs from identification, design, implementation through to the hand over stage. This is backed up with a complete service care plan and 15 year guarantee on the products that we utilise to make your network infrastructure the best possible. Network infrastructure cabling and the integration of high-speed hubs and switches form the foundation of all today’s computer networks. It is the most cost effective future proof investment that any company can make in today’s constantly changing IT environment.