Network performance issues can compromise a company’s operational activities, and this performance directly depends on the quality of the structured cabling design.

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Introduction

Network performance issues can compromise a company’s operational activities, and this performance directly depends on the quality of the structured cabling design. When the project is not correctly sized, various problems can arise, compromising data transmission speed, network stability, and operational efficiency. Although the initial investment in a project is relatively small compared to the total system cost, it can generate a significant reduction in costs and avoid future problems.

In this article, we will discuss the impact of poorly sized cabling projects and how this can affect network performance in the short term.

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Main issues affecting network performance

1. Network Bottlenecks and Performance Drops

A poorly sized structured cabling project can result in network bottlenecks, where data transmission capacity is insufficient to meet the company’s needs. This can occur when the number of network points or the available bandwidth is not enough to support the volume of connected devices or data traffic.

  • Practical example: If the cabling was designed to support a limited number of devices and the company grows rapidly, the increase in workstations, servers, and video conferencing systems can overload the network, causing slowness and connection drops.
2. Increased Latency

Latency is another issue that can arise from a poorly sized project. This occurs when the infrastructure does not support rapid data transmission, especially in networks that require high real-time communication capacity.

  • Practical example: In a company that uses real-time communication systems, such as video conferences and VoIP telephony, a poorly planned project can cause delays in voice and video transmission, impacting productivity and user experience.
3. Lack of Scalability

One of the most important features of a structured cabling project is scalability. When cabling is poorly sized, it may not allow future expansions without major interventions, generating extra costs and operational interruptions.

  • Practical example: A company that initially planned its cabling for a small number of devices without considering future growth might need a complete restructuring when adding new departments or integrating new technologies such as IoT devices.
4. Interference and Signal Degradation

Another common problem in poorly sized projects is the lack of consideration for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and signal degradation. When cables are installed without proper precautions or are not specified correctly for the environment, network performance can be severely impacted.

  • Practical example: A project that did not take into account the presence of large industrial machines or EMI sources may face data loss issues and performance drops, especially in industrial environments.
5. Underutilization of IT Resources

When structured cabling is not correctly sized, underutilization of IT resources, such as servers and storage systems, can occur. The network may not be capable of transferring data at the necessary speed for systems to operate optimally.

  • Practical example: If a company invests in a high-performance server, but the cabling is not capable of supporting adequate data transfer, the IT investment will be underutilized, resulting in a loss of operational efficiency.

How to discover what issues are causing network performance drops?

Network performance and stability issues cannot always be resolved only by optimizing configurations or monitoring tools. In complex situations, having specialized consultancy in network engineering is fundamental to identifying and correcting problems quickly and efficiently.

Network Certification: The First Step for an Efficient Diagnosis

Cabling Testing
Collection: A3A Engenharia de Sistemas

Before starting any analysis or adjustment in the network, tests for Network Certification must be performed as the first step. This stage is fundamental to identifying structural problems and validating the quality of the cabling. Through standardized tests, certification allows for:

  • Verifying the physical integrity of cables and connectors.
  • Identifying interference and electrical problems that affect performance.
  • Validating available bandwidth and compliance with performance standards.
  • Detecting hidden faults that are not noticeable in conventional diagnostics.

A network with stability and performance problems will have many failed points, and with the test report, it is possible to initiate a correction project so that more complex problems are detected and resolved more efficiently.

Engineering companies with expertise in network infrastructure have trained professionals to:

  • Perform advanced troubleshooting, investigating faults that are difficult to diagnose.
  • Propose technical solutions customized to the environment’s needs.
  • Implement large-scale upgrades with safety and proper planning.
  • Ensure compliance with modern standards and market best practices.
  • Manage the adequacy project minimizing impacts on the operation.
  • Issue technical reports and opinions.

The support of specialized consultancy also speeds up the identification of invisible bottlenecks, which are often caused by architectural errors or interoperability between devices. The use of professional tools and proven methodologies ensures an efficient network infrastructure, with higher performance and reliability.

We list below the services for network adequacy:

1. Specialized Consultancy

One of the most efficient ways to perform a comprehensive diagnosis is to hire specialized consultancy. The consultancy can also predict future company demands and ensure that the project is scalable, avoiding performance bottlenecks.

  • Solution: Hiring consultancy represents a small cost relative to the total value of the system but ensures that the cabling is correctly suited, preventing problems that could compromise network operations.
2. Detailed Technical Survey

Performing a detailed technical survey at the beginning of the project is fundamental to avoiding undersizing. This survey should include an analysis of the number of devices, data volume, physical environment, and the future needs of the company.

  • Solution: With an adequate technical survey, it is possible to design a cabling infrastructure that supports both current demands and future expansions, avoiding restructurings and high costs.
3. Choice of Suitable Materials

Correct choice of materials is essential to ensure structured cabling offers the necessary performance. Low-quality cables or undersized components can generate a series of problems, from data loss to frequent failures.

  • Solution: Specialized consultancy can ensure that materials are chosen according to project needs, such as Cat6A cables for high-speed networks or fiber optics for long distances.
4. Cabling Certification

After installation/adequacy, a new cabling certification should be performed to ensure that the structured cabling is offering performance according to specifications. Continuity, attenuation, and interference tests help identify possible failures in the design before they impact network performance.

  • Solution: Certification ensures that all cables and connections are working within defined parameters, preventing performance problems in the future.

How Hiring Specialized Consultancy Can Resolve Network Performance Issues

Companies facing performance problems in their networks often deal with complex challenges that require deep technical knowledge and personalized solutions. Hiring specialized consultancy can be the key to overcoming these difficulties, providing a strategic and efficient approach to identifying and resolving the causes that generate performance drops.

Hiring a specialized consultancy service brings consolidated experience and access to advanced tools for diagnosis and analysis, allowing for the identification of bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and inadequate configurations affecting performance. Furthermore, experienced professionals can recommend infrastructure improvements, such as hardware updates, adjustments to routers and switches, and implementation of performance-enhancing configurations like QoS (Quality of Service) and SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networks).

Another significant benefit is the ability to align the corporate network with business demands, ensuring it is prepared to support workloads, increase operational efficiency, and meet security standards. Consultancy can also offer training and guidance so the internal team keeps network performance optimized in the long term.

In summary, specialized consultancy acts as a strategic partner, helping the company transform challenges into improvement opportunities, with faster, more reliable networks aligned with organizational goals.

Conclusion

A poorly sized structured cabling project can cause a series of problems directly affecting network performance, resulting in high costs and operational inefficiencies. Hiring specialized consultancy not only helps avoid these problems but also ensures that the value invested in the cabling infrastructure is optimized. The initial investment in consultancy or a well-planned project represents a small percentage relative to the system implementation value but generates significant savings over time by avoiding the need for restructuring and ensuring network scalability.

If you are facing network stability and performance issues, contact A3A Engenharia right now and discover how we can help detect causes and present a precise diagnosis for correcting your network.