Whether you are an independent networking contractor or an in-house network administrator, part of your job entails working with computer and networking cables. It's important to have the best tools of the trade so you can do your job efficiently and affordably.

If you are the owner of your own contracting business, you're building your own toolkit from the ground up. Even if you are working as a network administrator for a big company, they may not have provided all of the tools you need to do your job to the fullest extent. It never hurts to send money and time saving suggestions on up the chain of command. To find the best supplies for computer cable:

1. Purchase crimping tools and testers for working with bulk computer cable.
2. Find great deals on connectors to terminate your computer and networking cable.
3. Buy the testing equipment you need to ensure that your cables will perform up to specifications.
   

Action Steps for Understanding Computer Cable Design Types
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy the tools you need to work with computer network cabling

Whether you're a remote installation tech, or an in-office network administrator, you'll need the right tools to work with computer cabling. You can either buy the individual tools that you need, or you can purchase kits that have everything that you need in a handy carry-case or pouch.

I recommend: LANshack.com has a great selection of technician tool kits, geared towards different aspects of the networking profession. They have everything from a complete network administrator tool kit to a basic terminator tool pouch kit meant for easily terminating UTP cable. FireFold does a great job of providing nearly every individual tool imaginable.

Save money by purchasing connectors in bulk for your computer and networking cables

As an independent network contractor, it's cheapest for you to purchase your computer network cable in bulk. That way you can slice off however much you need from a spool of 500 or 1000 ft. That length of cable then needs to be terminated with whatever type of connector you're utilizing. Since you're already purchasing your computer network cables in bulk, you should save additional money by purchasing your connectors in wholesale-priced lots. If you're employed as a network tech, forward this suggestion to your supply department and save your company some money.

I recommend: TTI is a great source for multiple bulk providers of telecom and Ethernet connectors. You can get more details or buy lots of network connectors easily on the site. You can also purchase modular plugs, fiber optic connectors, and coax connectors in packs of ten, twenty or 100 at Cables Plus.

Ensure you are deploying working computer cabling to your customers with cable testers

Once you've created your computer cables to the required specification, it's important to test the cable before deploying it in someone's home or office. Even a cable that looks perfect to the naked eye might have invisible flaws that cause it to transmit imperfectly or not transmit at all. Having the right cable testing equipment will ensure that you are installing a fully functioning network cable every time. In the long run, this will keep your customers satisfied, and reduce your overhead by reducing potential return visits you might need to make to each customer.

I recommend: Anyone that has ever worked with network cabling recognizes the Fluke Corporation. They are manufacturers of high-end cable testers. Their testers aren't the least expensive, but they are extremely high quality and reliable. You can find a range of affordable testers for everything from fiber optic and coax cable to cat5 and modular telephone cables at Cables To Go.

Tips & Tactics for Computer Cabling

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Network cable testers aren't just useful for testing cables before you install them. You can also buy a cable tester with a remote terminator to test already installed cables. This is an invaluable tool for diagnosing and isolating network connectivity issues.

What most people think they know about computer cable begins and ends at the little jack in the wall where they plug in their phone or desktop computer to access the Web.

Facilities managers and IT professionals know it's a tad more complex than plug and play. Computer cables vary from as thin as spaghetti strands to thick, unruly and heavily shielded Internet connection cables known as Category 5 (or higher).

Covered in this guide to computer network cable:

1. Computer cable design for office spaces
2. What computer cabling to buy and why
3. Saving money with bulk cable
4. Computer cables from wall to user

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

How computer cables are laid out in a company

In general, office computer cables begin in the server room and travel first via thick 'backbone' cabling, which connects the outside world to your network; 'horizontal' cabling across false ceilings, which carries it to offices; then, finally, the smaller, consumer-friendly wires that hook a PC or Web phone to the wall jack.

I recommend: Shop for computer cable at online outlets such as ComputerCableStore.com, CableMakers, and PC Cables. See more on computer cables at the Business.com directory page on networking and wiring.

Understanding the different grades of computer cables

Computer cable meets international standards according to its use, from Category 1, which is the least shielded (used to wire things like doorbells and phones) through Category 7, capable of carrying dense electronic data traffic.

I recommend: Also called "ethernet" and "cat" computer network cable, the basic design is called the "twisted pair," strands of shielded, smaller wires running in a braid pattern to cancel out interference. The higher the category, the more complex the cable and shielding design. Some vendor sites include Lanshack, Infinite Cables, BlackBox, and TWAComm. Find more information on ethernet computer cables at Business.com.

Look for bulk cable for big jobs

If you've ever seen an office server room, you know they quickly become a rat's nest of computer cabling. Then you have to consider the 'run,' or how far down a hall, through walls and back around your computer cabling will go. Bulk cable is often a better deal.

I recommend: A pro installer can make an estimate based on square footage and the number of phone terminals or PCs you need to connect. In any case, you'll need thousands of feet. Buy computer cable in bulk to save money. See bulk cable pricing from Dalco, Altex, Ram Electronics, and Cypress Industries. See resources for buying bulk cable at Business.com.

Buying computer cabling for small office users or for home needs

Getting the Net from your server to a wall jack is one thing (and usually comes built-in to your office space). Yet you still need to get computer network cable from wall to desktop. Likewise, there are a lot of specialized cables to connect specific peripherals, like printers, scanners, digital cameras, and memory backup.

I recommend: Although many peripherals are going wireless using Bluetooth short-range radio connectivity, you will need a Category 5 cable to link the wall to your computer, then USB cables for most peripherals. General computer cable vendors have all this, but if you need to just one or two machines' worth, try stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, Office Depot, Staples or similar. For more, take a look cables and wires for computer networking at Business.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, largely replaced the hodgepodge of nine-pin and flat connectors for peripheral devices that once junked up the backside of the PC. Computer cabling for monitors, however, remains unique.
• •  Most new office spaces have open plans and computer network cable conduits down from the ceiling to accommodate computer cables. If you are moving into an older building, make sure it's pre-wired, or you'll be spending your weekends drilling holes.
• •  Everybody on laptops? Skip the computer network cable and set up a wireless local area network. Unless your team is doing a lot of incredibly data-heavy design or engineering work or you need bulk cable, it's an easy start and can put off your computer cable investment indefinitely.

While there is a definite trend to wireless, computer cables aren't going to disappear anytime soon. The newest generation of wireless has increased in speed, but performance is still inconsistent and setup is often more complicated then previous generations like Wireless-G. Oftentimes business owners setting up a new office prefer to have their network physically cabled for dependability and speed.

You can cater to contractors and small business owners in the networking field by stocking cables for computers. Research the pricing and costs of computer cable to preserve the profit margins of your business:

1. Pick up bulk computer cabling in non-terminated spools of up to 1000 feet for between $200 and $500.
2. Buy your computer network cable in lots for between $80 and $300.
3. Find a wholesale computer network cable distributor to negotiate even cheaper prices for extremely large purchases.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Cater to technical customers buy stocking bulk computer cabling

If you consistently sell a lot of computer and networking cable to knowledgeable users or installation companies, it's worth your while to buy your cable in bulk. Bulk cable can be stored on a cable dispenser, right next to boxes of RJ-45 or BNC connectors. If you're catering to the type of customer that buys bulk cable, you'll also want to have items like crimping tools and cable testers available for purchase.

I recommend: You can pick up bulk computer cable at Cables to Go. The cable comes in spools in lengths between 25 feet and 1000 feet. These are nonterminated cables, but you can purchase all the tools and connectors you desire elsewhere on the same site. Another site where you can buy computer cable in bulk at a discounted prices is Cable Wholesale. Depending on whether you're purchasing Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6, you can get 1000 feet for between $200 and $500.

Save money buy purchasing your computer network cabling in lots

You can always get a great deal when you buy pre-terminated, pre-cut computer network cables in lots. Make sure that you are ordering from a reputable source, and that their network cable complies with the EIA/TIA-568B Cat 5e standards. To maximize utility, the cabling should be compatible 10baseT, 100baseT, and 1000baseT networks.

I recommend: Global Sources Direct offers network cable in cases of fifty units for around $90 before shipping. The cases contain a mix of three and five meter 5e LAN cables. Cables Plus sells network cabling in a variety of lengths, in packs of ten or thirty. A case -- multiple packs depending on length -- ranges in price between $200 and $300. Cables longer than 25 feet are available in packs of ten.

Get the best deals by purchasing bulk computer cable from a wholesale distributor

If you are looking to buy extremely large quantities of computer network cabling, then it's in your best interest to buy direct from a wholesaler. Usually they require you to purchase at least five pallets of product, but you'll get the best deals.

I recommend: Purchase wholesale cat6 networking cable from American Tech Supply. Prices range between $110 and $300 per 1000 feet. Minimum purchase is at least 250 boxes. Though you can find some US wholesalers, China is the premiere producer of computer cables, so you may want to turn to a company like Zhejiang Zhaolong Cable, which you can visit on Alibaba.com to purchase Cat5e cable in lots of at least 500 pieces apiece. They will ship in carton box, pullout box, or pallet depending on your preference. Contact them directly to negotiate pricing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As a reseller of computer network cables, you are probably always looking for a better deal. Don't forget to pay a visit to auction sites like eBay. Oftentimes you can find pallets or boxes of network cabling for sale, and strike up a long-term relationship with the dealer that will be profitable for both of you.