This issue of our newsletter is devoted to infrastructure. Although it comprises the very cable and wiring on which every network and application runs, it’s not unusual for organizations to do an initial infrastructure design and installation and then never think about it again. Even when laid in place 10-15 years ago, infrastructure gets noticed only when there’s a major problem or move.

But two reasons make it worth noticing: performance and unnecessary expense.

Performance and cost
Performance troubles begin when new bandwidth hungry applications are routinely layered onto existing infrastructure with no real analysis of the impact. These problems typically get blamed on the network or applications — and that’s where the unnecessary expense starts.

Because infrastructure is low on most folks’ radar, performance problems get ‘solved’ by upgrades to software or networking equipment...money spent everywhere but on the fundamental problem.

Performing an audit of your existing infrastructure every year or two to determine if what you have at the base level — your cables and wiring — are up to delivering what users expect is essential. If you don’t have the time or expertise in-house, ask a trusted partner. And if you’re building a new data center, be sure to let experts manage the infrastructure installation. Don’t leave it to an electrical contractor.