RapidNet - Pre-terminated Copper and Fibre Systems

There are a number of benefits for choosing a RapidNet pre-terminated installation in a project. The benefits are not necessarily exclusive to just the installer or the end user; faster installation times, reduced labour budgets and high density solutions are just some of the benefits a RapidNet pre-terminated system offers.

Here is a six point guide, to questions that installers and end users should be asking when considering the RapidNet solution:

The RapidNet pre-terminated system is more flexible than many expect or believe. The common misconception is that a pre-terminated install is only suitable for data centres or new builds. Whilst this may be true to a degree it is not always the case and many successful RapidNet installations can be seen in re-fits of existing buildings. When applying the RapidNet solution to a building re-fit, careful consideration of existing cable runs is needed before ruling it out as a solution. Have a look at the type of trunking already in place.  Are consolidation points in the ceiling void or under the floor a viable option? Perhaps a single ended RapidNet solution could be the answer where the cassette is plugged in at the comms room end and the ‘open’ end can be terminated to either panels or outlets.

The main issue encountered with a re-fit in an existing building is the apertures in floors, walls and ceilings. This issue has been addressed by some manufacturers where pre-terminated fibre connectivity is concerned with the development of the RapidNet fibre adapter module, allowing fibre fan out cables to be pulled through and then connected at the rack or comms room. In new or purpose built buildings and data centres, the use of overhead cable runs, ceiling voids or under floor voids make RapidNet installations easier, allowing cable to be run efficiently from floor to floor into comms rooms or racks.

Case Study - Scott Brownrigg Architects

When Scott Brownrigg, one of the UK’s leading architecture firms, planned the move to their newly owned offices in London’s west end, it was no surprise that in order to help drive the company forward, a high performance network infrastructure would be high on the agenda.

Group IT manager, Alastair Newman comments,

"Having already seen the RapidNet system, as soon as the Cat6A version was presented to me by Lee (Lee Hamill, Managing Director of ICS and Project Manager for this project) I knew that the HellermannTyton product would deliver the network I set out to achieve.”

Go to Case Study

The time an installation takes to complete is a key factor to both the installer and the end user. ‘Investment to Revenue Stream’ is a term used in the industry particularly relating to data centre space, it refers to the gap between making the initial investment into the installation and the time when the project is complete and the network or data centre is ready to use. In the case of a Co-location data centre, the sooner the infrastructure is in place, the quicker the data centre manager can take on customers and begin to see revenue. When looking at completion time scales for a new build project, elements of the construction could over run despite the overall completion date being fixed. With data cabling usually one of last pieces of work to take place, the time window for this work becomes compressed. This is where the RapidNet solution stands out, providing the answer to meeting those tight deadlines.

For the installer, a reduced installation time should ultimately mean that there is a greater capacity for additional projects. If a project takes 3 days installing a RapidNet solution instead of 2 weeks using on site termination methods, this gives the installer resources to take on extra projects.

RapidNet can reduce installation times by up to 85% compared to a field terminated solution, therefore offering substantial benefits to both installer and end user.

The cost comparison of a RapidNet system to a standard field terminated solution isn’t always an obvious calculation. On paper, a like for like comparison of product alone and naturally, the RapidNet system will be more expensive (about 20-25% based on a Category 6 installation), but this takes into account the pre-termination work that takes place in the manufacturer’s factory.

However, when taking a holistic view of the entire project factoring in the on-site labour, the cost difference is dramatically reduced to virtually nothing and in some cases we see a swing in the other direction where the field terminated solution is more expensive (especially where fibre is used).

In most cases, RapidNet cassette to cassette system is the most common solution installed. This will consist of a RapidNet cassette on one end, a length of cable or a loom and RapidNet cassette on the other end with the same format as the first cassette. The cassettes are then clipped or plugged into the RapidNet panel, presenting the standard number of connections you will see in a standard patch panel.

A key aspect to RapidNet is the flexibility, providing the end user or installer with a number of connectivity options. The cassette to cassette option above is more commonly found in a data centre scenario where multiple racks with servers and storage are connected to each other. However, the flexibility and variety offered by HellermannTyton include ‘to the desk’ applications using wall outlets or floor box pods and fan out solutions that allow connectivity directly into hardware.

This flexibility can be seen when implementing fibre systems too. RapidNet pre-terminated fibre solutions can provide as many variations as you’d expect form an on-site terminated solution. High density MTP, LC or SC connectivity as well as fibre fan outs, back bone cables are all available in from HellermannTyton. The wide variety of connectivity options ensures the RapidNet solution can stand up to the most complicated installation scenarios.

Performance will not be an issue when installing a RapidNet solution. All copper and fibre formats are available depending on the specification and project type. RapidNet can be supplied in Category 6A or 6 and both single mode and multimode fibre. All of the ISO/IEC and TIA/ANSI performance standard criteria apply to the rapidNet solution for both fibre and copper and with RapidNet being supplied pre-tested the performance levels of the system will more than stand up to the demands of the network it is installed in.

HellermannTyton supplies product to site pre-tested. When the terminations are carried out in clean manufacturing facilities, it is best practice to test those terminations, ensuring they perform to the set standard. When the product arrives on site and installed, minimal acceptance testing is required which helps reduce the overall installation time and potentially reduce costs. Testing at the end of an installation comes at a point when time pressure is at its greatest. A pre-tested, pre-terminated RapidNet solution, removes the risk of failure and helps avoid any trouble shooting at the end of the install where performance issues could result in re-cabling.

HellermannTyton offers a 25 year warranty on the system providing all onsite test procedures are followed giving the end user peace of mind.

Another benefit that can be seen from a RapidNet installation is its scalability and portability. Because of the modular design, RapidNet is effectively a ‘plug and play’ system, meaning it can be added to or moved with relative ease. With RapidNet, planning for future network growth needn’t be an issue. Panels can be pre-installed, allocating space for expansion at a later date. HellermannTyton offer modular blanks which cover the spaces in the panels, reducing dust and dirt in the rack space. When the time comes the blanks can be easily removed and the pre-terminated RapidNet system can be plugged in place.

Because of its plug and play nature, RapidNet solutions are portable in the sense that they can easily be disconnected and if required moved to a different position in a rack or to a completely different rack. RapidNet has been available in one form or another for the best part of 10 years. More and more industry professionals are acknowledging the benefits of the RapidNet solution and it should be a serious consideration for all project types.