New School - Data Allocation

[Hogwarts_Techie]

Having to justify why I want to put x amount of data to a users desk.

 

If you were going to build a new school/offices, how many data cables would you pull to a users desk. Classroom or office.

 

So if we had a room of 6 desk that 6 users would sit on. How many data cables would you pull to that desk, lets just say all the desk were together.

 

I appreciate that there are many variables in this, but if you had to give a figure for a standard across a building what would it be?

[dhicks]

If you were going to build a new school/offices, how many data cables would you pull to a users desk.

 

Two per desk - one for the workstation, one for the (PoE powered) phone. Of course, whatever you plan for, and wherever you place the network points, plans / usage will change, but two PoE-capable points per user should, hopefully, be enough. You'll need wireless as well, of course, and don't forget provision for printers and other devices around the building. These days that, at the very least, means CCTV cameras and wireless access points at ceiling level, but pretty much however many points you add, someone will think of something else they need added. Do bear in mind that not every point neccesarily needs to be active, the number of passive network points can be a fair bit larger than the number of actual live connected-to-a-switch points you might have.

 

If you find you need to cut back on the number of network points due to cost or simply size of trunking, you could drop to one per desk and daisy-chain desktop machines via the phone, but in my experience you'll always need more network points than you think at ceiling height.

[FN-GM]

We install 1 at every desk a computer is installed. For us there isn't a need for anymore, only the computer is being connected. We don't use physical phone anymore. If you did most of them let you pass through a data connection anyway. Edited January 26, 2022 by FN-GM

[MatthewL]

As a rule of thumb I pull a minimum of 2 x double power sockets and 1 x double data to a desk (covers phone & PC situation) but realistically its likely to be 3 x double power and 2 x double data, not done a fit out for a while but far easier to add in extra now than need to add more later.

 

I have a rule no extension leads for power so go to think PC, monitor, possibly printer, phone charger and other equipment if an office environment, data wise phone, PC and printer for example (don't do USB printers if I can help it), although phone and PC or printer in that situation could be looped.

 

Think about what could be used in the future far easier to put in now and have to run more in the future always over provision.

[Danp]

Two per desk. Even if one is only there as a backup.

[glen_j]

Two double sockets + 2 data per desk plus an additional 2 data + power per room/office for anyone / anything they add later (it's easier to have it and not need it than to have it installed later when SLT want to change the rooms purpose). Also worth thinking about putting a high level data point for Wi-Fi etc

[chris11256]

2 per desk at a minimum for me. Plus allowing a handful of spares to allow for flexible replacement of a printer or more computer provision in the future.

 

Plus as others have said one high level point per room as well.

[Boredguy]

Minimum of 2 data per desk like the others plus additional for printers/Wifi etc.

 

Although the cost looks high when doing the planning, its always easier to flood wire locations during construction. Can always ask for the cables to just be run into the box but to just have a blanking plate on it instead of the cables terminated at both ends (won't save much).

If they then realise how much it will cost to run additional cables after the building is completed (both financial and with disruption), then they might be more understanding

[djm968]

One double data per desk and if justification is required, telling who ever is questioning the quantity that it will cost at least 5 times more to install additional data at a later date, is usually all the justification needed. This does of course depend on what your idea of X is, more than 2 data per desk would be a bit overkill and difficult to justify IMO. Just to add don't forget CCTV, Wireless and Access Control when planning data. Edited January 27, 2022 by djm968

[steveg]

We go double to desk for most desks. Cost difference between a double and single is not huge. Occasionally go more for specific circumstances, for example our admin team have a poe gate intercom phone, normal phone and pc on their desk.

[PrimaryNetMan]

2 per desk minimum, but consider the photocopier that will appear once you have done, along with the 7th person who starts using the office. Also prepear for the same number of points on the other side of the room ready when the desks are relocated...

[speakercon]

Also prepear for the same number of points on the other side of the room ready when the desks are relocated...

 

I would echo this point, with the amount of sockets I've moved from one side of a room to another (and then back again a year later), I always try to allow enough points all around the room for desk relocation as it is a regular occurrence.

[pete]

Minimum 2 per desk +10-20% (depending on number of drops) per office/room to avoid the expense of additional cabling 2 years down the line when a desk is added or the room is re-arranged.

 

Office with 6 desks would usually have:

 

• 2 drops per desk (phone + desktop)
  
• 2 drops in the drop ceiling (AP / other)
  
• 2 drops where a printer/copier is likely to sit (one to use, one to trash when they move the copier without unplugging it)
  
• 2-4 drops on another appropriate wall/place to cover rearranging said office.
  

 

It's significantly cheaper and easier to add drops all in one go than have them added piecemeal later.