In this article
The network for a new office should be planned before the building work, starting from needs rather than equipment: how many people, what growth, which critical applications. Those answers define the network points (ideally two per workstation, with spare capacity), the rack, the active equipment, the enterprise Wi-Fi and the security. Cabling is run during the works, before ceilings and walls are closed. Deciding now avoids years of patching.
Questions first, brands later
- How many people will work in the space?
- What growth is expected in the coming years?
- Which applications are critical to the business?
The answers define everything else, from the number of outlets to the capacity of the Wi-Fi.
Five components to design
- Network points Enough outlets per workstation, ideally two, with room to grow.
- Rack A central, organised point where equipment and connections are concentrated.
- Active equipment Professional switches and router, never consumer-grade kit.
- Enterprise Wi-Fi Professional access points for full coverage, integrated with the wired network.
- Security VLAN segmentation, a guest network and a firewall from day one.
Synchronising the network with the building work
Cabling is run during the works, before ceilings and walls are closed. Coordinating the network with the architecture and electrical installation avoids costs and patching and ensures outlets are in the right places. Once closed, every missing point means opening up again.
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Four mistakes that prove expensive
- Skimping on network points Adding them later costs far more.
- Consumer-grade equipment On an enterprise network.
- Forgetting Wi-Fi and security In the initial planning.
- A network with no documentation or labelling Every future intervention starts with guesswork.
Frequently asked questions
How many network points per workstation?
At least two per workstation, plus those needed for printers, access points and meeting rooms, always with room to grow.
Does a small office need a rack?
Yes, even if only a wall-mounted rack. Concentrating equipment and connections in a single organised point avoids confusion and faults.
Is the Wi-Fi planned at the same time?
Yes. Designed together with the wired network, it guarantees full coverage and clean integration, without improvised solutions later.
Next step: a turnkey network for your office
DataRoad designs, installs and certifies the complete network and then manages it under contract. Discover our network installation for offices, certified structured cabling, enterprise Wi-Fi for businesses and IT consulting for new premises. No-obligation proposal via sales@dataroad.pt.
More than 10 workstations · support contract · remote, on-site and telephone support.
