Subscribe

The `other` Y2K problem

By Steve Pinkney
Johannesburg, 24 Aug 1999

Can IT cabling infrastructure handle new and Y2K-upgraded technologies?

In the headlong push to revamp information technology systems ahead of the millennium roll-over less than six months from now, organisations must not neglect to ensure that underlying cabling infrastructures can support new or revamped Y2K-compliant technologies. Failure to do so could result in critical business systems stumbling or falling over, negating the cost and effort of upgrading them in the first place.

So cautions CCI Technology Holdings CEO Steve Pinkney, who is concerned about the widespread lack of awareness of this `other` Y2K problem. It is worthwhile to take note of this problem if one considers that cabling has the longest lifespan of all the network components - it can remain in place for up to ten or fifteen years compared to perhaps a couple of years in the case of PCs or interface cards.

"While it is understandable that Y2K projects should focus primarily on software applications and hardware, it would be short-sighted not to look at lower-profile issues such as IT cabling that could have high-visibility repercussions," Pinkney says.

"Y2K project planners and managers must realise that Y2K-mandated technologies, ranging from high-speed Pentium II / Pentium III pc to bandwidth-hungry Enterprise Resource Planning suites, could place heavy additional demands on the network.

"It`s not enough to ensure that the network devices are ready for the increased workload," Pinkney continues. "The physical layer - ie the cabling - supporting the network devices has to be checked too, for both throughput and capacity as well as physical health. Organisations that neglect this vital area expose themselves to unnecessary risk at the very time when minimisation of risk is paramount."

Y2K cabling audits completed by CCI for numerous customers in the past few months have highlighted a number of common problems which, had they not been addressed, could have severely impacted the network stability.

Prevalent issues include inefficiently and incorrectly-installed cabling (for example, data cabling running side-by-side with interference-causing power linkages), outdated cabling (the infrastructure does not support today`s entry-level throughput of 100 Mbps); and non-standard cabling, resulting in less-than-optimal capacity and performance.

According to Pinkney potential issues as highlighted above are best identified and addressed through a cabling audit. The audit serves to verify the design and operational integrity of the infrastructure, as well as cabling speed, throughput and other aspects impacting on performance. This enables CCI to custom-design and implement high-quality, affordable solutions to the flaws and bottlenecks.

"Time is obviously of the essence and customers understandably are anxious to address the cabling issue and move on," Pinkney elaborates. "They should not, however, let the Y2K deadline pressure them into thinking only about the short term."

"Our recommendation is to look ahead and anticipate future requirements. And if these are substantially higher than current needs, it could be well worth investing in higher-capacity Category 5-enhanced type infrastructures now already. The cost-difference is minimal, but the benefit in terms of performance, flexibility and expansion is enormous."

Category 5

The international standard for cable and connecting hardware products with transmission characteristics specified to 100 MHz, typically used to support digital transmission of 100 Mbit/s and above. At present Category 5-enhanced is the highest ratified standard, although Category 6 has established itself as the non-official standard.

Share

CCI Technology Holdings

CCI is one of the largest independent cabling companies in Southern African, supplying structured connectivity solutions to support business information and network infrastructures. Established in 1985, the group has over 50 years` management experience in the design, installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of voice, data and fiber optic networks. The company`s client list includes many of Southern Africa`s foremost organisations. CCI`s products and service are grouped into the following divisions: networking, data, voice and electrical. The company`s headquarters are in Cape Town with regional offices in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Editorial contacts

Anne Carroll
Pinnacle Communications
(021) 419 8345
annec@adcorp.co.za
Steve Pinkney
CCI Technology Solutions
(021) 531 0850
spinkney@cci.co.za