At Direct Networks we understand that it isn’t just about data cable. We take pride in our installations and keep up to date with the latest standards. We know it is what you can’t see, that makes the difference.

Because technology changes so rapidly, Access Points and CCTV cameras are already capable of operating well over Gigabit speeds, so your cabling needs to be able to handle it.

We recommend Cat6 and can supply and install cabling solutions, including warranties from a number of high quality vendors. Contact us about getting a quotation to install data cabling where ever you need it.

No two installations are the same and no two customers are the same, so we listen and tailor your cabling, not only to your budget, but to your requirements. Whether it is installation of cabling for Wireless, CCTV, Smart TV’s or Computers, you can expect to get the solution that fits your requirements, not only now, but for the future. 

 

Got good cabling but your network is still slow? 

There is a good chance your networking equipment is probably not what it could be. To explain this, lets draw a parallel between your cabling and equipment, and cars and roads. 

Roads are your network cabling infrastructure, if the road is old and worn out, or not well made, it does not matter what you try to drive fast on it, you will struggle.

New roads are smooth and designed to get you there quicker, old roads are full of holes, dangerous and not conducive to safe speed.

Cars are like your network equipment, or active equipment. I can guarantee that a base model low cost car will not get to the destination anywhere nearly as quick as a high end more expensive car, no matter how good the road is. Why? It just does not have the power or handling to go fast. This is not the cars fault, it was built to a price and performance specification.

So if you are having issues and it’s not the cabling, chances are you are trying to push either older slower switches or access points, or you probably didn’t get the right specification for what you need.

We can help. With access to multitudes of vendors we can find you the right equipment to make your network fly. Have a look at our PRODUCTS page for a few of the ranges we support.

 

Networking Glossary:

Cat 5 Cable:

The Cat 5 Cable is a twisted pair cable, mostly unshielded (but there are shielded types.) It is designed for high signal integrity, and can carry up to 155 Mbit/s over short distances. It is used mostly for Ethernet networks, basic voice services and ATM’s, but has been superceded on many industries by the Category 5e specification. Cat5 cable is no longer being installed.

Cat 5e Cable:

The Cat 5e cable is an enhanced Cat 5 cable, with added specifications for far end crosswalk. With its tighter specifications, it is an excellent choice for 1000BASE-T. Cat5E cable is being phased out for Cat6 cable.

Cat 6 Cable:

The Cat 6 cable is standard for Gigabit Ethernet and similar network protocols. It is backward compatible with the Category 5 and Category 5e standards. The Cat 6 cable standard delivers a bandwidth of up to 250Mhz. The Cat 6 cable is more effective for system noise and crosstalk.

Coaxial Cable:

Coaxial Cable is an electrical cable, and consists of a round counducting wire covered by an insulating spacer, which is covered by a cylindrical conducting sheath, lastly covered by a final insulating layer. It is used for high-frequency transmissions and broadband.

Structured Cabling:

The term “Structured Cabling” refers to a cabling infrastructure for a building or campus. It consists of many smaller elements, all standardized according to a specification. These are called subsystems.

Fiber Cabling:

Fiber Cabling is the term used to refer to structured cabling using the Fiber Optic standard.

Fiber Optics:

Fiber Optics is a loose term that refers to both the applied science and engineering fields that overlap in structuring fiber optic systems using optical fiber. Optical Fiber is very thin plastic or glass fiber wire, made from incredibly pure optical glass, designed to use light to carry digital signals.

Network Cabling:

Network Cabling is a broad term referring to network or ethernet structures or cabling, for a building, office or campus.

RJ 45:

The RJ-45 is the standard connector used for Ethernet, T1, ISDN, or 4-pair UTP cables.

RJ 11:

RJ-11 is the standard connector used for 2-pair (4 wire) telephone wiring. It comes in both UTP or untwisted cable.

Ethernet:

An Ethernet refers to the various computer networking technologies for a Local Area Network (LAN.)

LAN:

LAN stands for Local Area Network and refers to a computer network for a small area, such as an office, home or group of buildings.

WAN:

WAN stands for Wide area Network and refers to a computer network that covers a broad area, where communications can cross national, regional or metropolitan boundaries.

WiFi:

WiFi or Wireless refers to a communications medium that uses radio signals to transmit and receive data. This transmission uses unlicensed frequencies in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. 

MEGABYTE:

A unit for measuring computer memory or data storage. A unit of information equal to 1000 kilobytes.

Mbps:

Is a network data speed. Megabits per second or the ablity to send and receive 1000 kilobits per second.

GIGABYTE:

A unit for measuring computer memory or data storage. A unit of information equal to 1000 megabytes.

Gbps:

Is a network data speed. Gigabits per second, or the ability to send and receive 1000 megabits per second.

PATCHLEAD:

Patch leads, cords or cables can be copper (Cat6) or fiber optic (Multimode or Singlemode). A network cable that is used to connect a device to a network outlet. Made from strandard cable it is also used at a patch panel to connect the other end of the data outlet to a network switch or device.

Patch Panel – Distribution area to rearrange copper cable (Cat6) 0r fiber optic cables connections and circuits. A simple patch panel is a metal frame. One side of the panel is usually fixed. This means that the cables are not intended to be disconnected. On the other side are plugs to connect patch leads.