Been offered a networking job, not sure whether to go for it.

[jedisparks]

Hi Folks,

I've been offered a job installing some network equipment for a client of mine. I look after their electrical requirements generally but have not much experience in networking. They have a couple of offices and a couple of shops and they want to hook them all up as an internal phone system and to connect the tills etc. I'm happy connecting cat5e points but have no idea whatsoever about patch panels, port switches, unmanaged switches, comms cabinets etc.

To give you an idea of scale their are 2 shops and 2 offices all with about a dozen cat5e points needed. Will I be taking on too much with this given that I have no experience of this field?

I'm not under pressure to do the job, but as they asked me it has made me wonder if it would be a useful exercise in gaining some knowledge and experience in a new area.

I hope this does not offend anyone, me asking that is, as I appreciate it's a fairly specialist field. I would be gratefull for any views or ideas that you are willing to share.

Thanks for reading.

 

[IT SPARKY]

Where about in the UK are you? I work in IT, and im a qualified spark also. You will need to allow for extra time/money to patch panels etc. I'm happy to offer you a consult for a fee of course.

Who's installing the switch etc? Are they just asking you to install the structured cabling, you need to be aware of emi from lighting and drops...

 

[jedisparks]

Hi IT SPARKY,

Thanks for replying. They have asked me if I would be interested in the whole job, structured cabling, supplying and installing comms cabinets, patch panels, switches etc. But I'll put my hands up and say I haven't got a clue in this field. I do general electrical work, domestic. commercial & light industrial. Would have no idea about assessing interference in this context.

Cheers

 

[Guest111]

I'll help if i can, where are you?

 

[jedisparks]

Thanks Phil. Sorry forgot to mention, it's in Essex. Not sure if i'll take the job yet, as I don't want to take on something that I can't handle and end up looking like a fool in front of a customer, who is up until now, happy with my work.

cheers

 

[IT SPARKY]

Thanks Phil. Sorry forgot to mention, it's in Essex. Not sure if i'll take the job yet, as I don't want to take on something that I can't handle and end up looking like a fool in front of a customer, who is up until now, happy with my work.

cheers

Too far away from me... Phil D may b able to help tho?

 

[IT SPARKY]

Most switches are plug n play, punching easy when youve been showed once. But the switches will need to be programmed with Static IP's if u can get round this, its most of the hassle.

Cabling is cabling refer to the 7671 regs' if uncertain as always. And just dont lay accross tubes they give off EMF.

Seperate your cat 1 & 2 circuits DATA & POWER because of potentially high fault voltages accross data circuits in a fault scenario... Be bold my friend as long as they know its you 1st shot and willing, whats to loose, but dont ogo in there saying yeah no probs if you not sure, be straight with them they obviouls want a complete service wrap from you. Lock it up.

Have you looked at doing C&G Networking course?

 

[jedisparks]

Most switches are plug n play, punching easy when youve been showed once. But the switches will need to be programmed with Static IP's if u can get round this, its most of the hassle.

Cabling is cabling refer to the 7671 regs' if uncertain as always. And just dont lay accross tubes they give off EMF.

Seperate your cat 1 & 2 circuits DATA & POWER because of potentially high fault voltages accross data circuits in a fault scenario... Be bold my friend as long as they know its you 1st shot and willing, whats to loose, but dont ogo in there saying yeah no probs if you not sure, be straight with them they obviouls want a complete service wrap from you. Lock it up.

Have you looked at doing C&G Networking course?

Thanks, that's really encouraging. I will have chat with them tomorrow. Either way, I think I will look into doing a networking course, in case this comes up again. Would be a nice change from normal sparkying. There's obviously some specialist knowledge required, because when you say programming the switches with static IP's, you might as well be speaking to me in greek LOL! I have no idea.

Thanks again for your tips.

 

[grantr37]

That can be an outlay of quite a lot of money, maybe better to leave it to a Data company...it will be thousands for the materials....

 

[Welchyboy]

Can you not install the system yourself then speak to a local IT guy to commission the system for you?

If it was me I would think it a golden opportunity to learn about something new and who knows where that might lead to?

there must be a company willing to do this for you, try calling a few and ask them, get them to go over your plan for the initial lay out and ask them how they would want it installed beforehand

 

[jedisparks]

Hey thanks for the other replies. I've turned down the job. If I had a bit more time I probably would've worked something out. It needs doing in the next 2 - 3 weeks and I'm already stacked up workwise. I'm going to look into educating myself on this, possibly a course if I can find one locally.

Thanks again

 

[swapnil]

Yup, that is a good idea to get educated before taking up a new job in hand, take some necessary courses that can make you familiar with those networking and cabling and in future you can expand your business to new area along with your current one best of luck.

 

[sparkdog]

I do a lot of network wiring for one of my customers but I just install the cat5 sockets and cables and they have someone who sorts the rest out.I think you can get courses on it for not too much.I must find out.

 

[old dog]

I am almost finished doing a level 2 ICT C&G diploma at Lambeth College. I am thinking of going on to the comptia A+
Its a year long course 2 nights a week. Have a look at your local College. For me it started as a hobby.
Not expensive I was quite pleasantly surprised.