Before choosing any cable, understand the physical layout of the facility.
Mark the locations of:
This gives you a basic picture of where network connections will be required.
A small factory may have one central network room, while a larger industrial facility may need multiple network distribution points.
The physical layout should therefore be understood before deciding where cables and racks will be installed.
The next step is to create a list of network-connected equipment.
Depending on the factory, this may include:
This helps determine the approximate number of network points required.
It also prevents a common planning mistake: designing the cabling only around office computers while overlooking CCTV, wireless infrastructure and other connected equipment.
Instead of treating the entire factory as one large network area, divide it into logical zones.
For example:
This could include computers, printers, Wi-Fi access points and other standard office devices.
This may contain network-connected equipment, control systems, monitoring devices or local network infrastructure.
Warehouses may require wireless access points, CCTV cameras and network connections for operational systems.
Security areas may include CCTV, access control and monitoring equipment.
This can include external cameras, access points, gates and other outdoor network equipment.
Once the facility is divided into zones, it becomes easier to determine where each cable should originate and terminate.
A central network rack is often the starting point for the factory's structured cabling design.
The location should provide suitable access to power, network connections, equipment and cable pathways.
For larger installations, the main rack may be located in a dedicated server or network room.
Elixir's Floor Mount Racks are available from 17U to 42U and are designed for applications including server rooms, LAN/WAN networks, telecom installations and other structured networking environments. They provide space for equipment such as switches, patch panels, servers and UPS systems. Elixir Network
The main rack should not simply be placed wherever there is an empty room. Its location should be considered alongside the overall cable routing plan.
A large factory may have network devices distributed across different areas.
Running every cable back to one central rack may not always be the most practical approach.
For example, a large facility could have:
Main Network Room → Production Network Rack → Warehouse Network Rack
This can reduce unnecessarily long cable runs and make the network easier to manage.
For smaller distribution points, Elixir's Wall Mount Racks are available in 4U, 6U, 9U, 12U and 15U configurations. The racks include cable entry provisions, adjustable 19-inch mounting rails, ventilation and fan cut-outs. Elixir Network
The choice between a floor-standing and wall-mounted rack should depend on the amount of equipment, available space and the requirements of the network zone.
Once the zones and equipment are identified, calculate the number of network points required.
For example, an area may require connections for:
The requirement should not be limited to the exact number of devices being installed today.
Consider whether additional network points may be required as the factory expands.
Adding spare capacity during the initial cabling installation can be considerably easier than installing new cable routes after the facility is operational.
Not every cable run inside a factory necessarily requires the same CAT6 construction.
Elixir's CAT6 cable range includes indoor UTP, outdoor double-layer UTP, flat/lift, armoured cables and patch cords for different networking requirements. Elixir Network
This means cable selection should be based on the installation environment.
For protected indoor areas such as offices, network rooms and other suitable internal environments, an appropriate indoor CAT6 cable can be considered.
Elixir's CAT6 Indoor UTP Network Cable uses 24 AWG construction, four pairs and solid copper conductors.
If a cable leaves the building and is exposed to outdoor conditions, an outdoor-rated cable should be evaluated.
Elixir offers a CAT6 Outdoor Double Layer UTP Network Cable with double-layer construction and UV-stabilised outer material.
Where a cable route faces greater mechanical risk, an armoured CAT6 construction may need to be considered.
Elixir lists CAT6 Armoured Cable within its CAT6 range for applications where additional physical protection is required. Elixir Network
The important principle is to avoid specifying one cable type for the entire facility without considering the actual environment of each route.
After determining which devices need connectivity, physically map the routes.
For every cable run, determine:
This is particularly important in factories because cable routes may pass through production areas, ceilings, trays, walls or external pathways.
A properly mapped route also makes it easier to estimate the total cable requirement.
Cable length should be considered during network planning rather than after installation.
Standard copper Ethernet has practical distance limitations. If a connection becomes too long, simply adding more CAT6 cable is not necessarily the solution.
For longer connections, particularly between separate buildings, fibre optic connectivity may need to be evaluated.
This is why the network design should identify long-distance links before the cable is purchased.
A factory may ultimately use:
Fibre backbone → Local network rack → CAT6 → End devices
This can be more appropriate than attempting to run copper cabling across an entire industrial campus.
CAT6 is not necessarily the right solution for every factory connection.
Fibre optic cable should be evaluated where the network requires longer-distance connections, building-to-building connectivity or other conditions where fibre is advantageous.
For example:
Main Administration Building
↓ Fibre
Production Building
↓ CAT6
CCTV / Wi-Fi / Computers
This type of hybrid network allows fibre to serve as the backbone while CAT6 handles shorter local connections.
For a factory with multiple buildings, this should be considered during the initial infrastructure planning stage.
Power over Ethernet can be useful in industrial networking because compatible devices can receive both data and power through the Ethernet connection.
Common examples include:
Elixir's CAT6 product information includes applications involving IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at PoE. Elixir Network
If PoE will be used, identify those devices during the planning stage.
This allows the cable, switch, power requirements and rack infrastructure to be considered together.
CCTV can represent a significant part of a factory's network infrastructure.
Large facilities may have cameras at:
Before installing cables, identify the location of every camera and determine the route back to the appropriate network equipment.
For outdoor cameras, the cable route should be evaluated for outdoor exposure.
For PoE cameras, the network switch and power requirements should also be considered.
Elixir also offers POE Junction Boxes as part of its networking infrastructure portfolio. Elixir Network
Factory Wi-Fi requirements can differ significantly from office environments.
Production areas, warehouses and large industrial spaces may require multiple access points.
Network planning should therefore identify:
The cabling plan should be created alongside the wireless network layout rather than after access points have already been installed.
Network cabling is only one part of a functional rack installation.
The rack may also require:
Elixir's networking accessories include 1U cable managers, cantilever trays, fans and PDUs for rack and networking installations. Elixir Network
Planning these requirements at the same time helps prevent a rack from becoming overcrowded or difficult to maintain.
Cable management should not be treated as something to solve after all the cables have been installed.
In a factory, dozens or even hundreds of network cables may eventually terminate at racks.
Without proper organisation, this can make:
Cable managers and trays should therefore be incorporated into the rack design.
Elixir's accessory range includes dedicated 1U Cable Managers and 1U Cantilever Trays. Elixir Network
Factory environments can contain substantial electrical infrastructure.
Network cable routes should therefore be planned carefully around electrical systems and other potential sources of interference.
Where routes pass through electrically challenging environments, the network designer should evaluate whether copper remains appropriate or whether fibre should be considered.
The exact separation and routing requirements should follow the applicable installation standards and the recommendations of the cable and equipment manufacturers.
A factory network may extend outside the main building.
For example, outdoor network connections may be required for:
In these cases, both the cable and the equipment enclosure should be considered.
If network equipment itself needs to be installed outdoors, Elixir's Outdoor Racks provide IP55 and IP65 configurations for applications including outdoor networking, telecom, surveillance and industrial infrastructure. Elixir Network
An outdoor cable does not automatically make an entire network installation suitable for outdoor exposure. The rack, power, cable route and connected equipment all need to be evaluated.
One of the most important parts of factory network planning is thinking beyond the current installation.
Factories can expand through:
The cabling infrastructure should therefore have some capacity for future requirements.
This can mean:
Elixir's floor mount range extends from 17U to 42U, while its wall mount range extends from 4U to 15U, providing different capacity options for network installations. Elixir Network
The objective is not to oversize everything, but to avoid designing an infrastructure that becomes restrictive as soon as the factory grows.
Cable identification becomes increasingly important as the network grows.
Every cable should have a consistent identification system that indicates where it originates and where it terminates.
For example:
Rack 01 – Patch Panel 01 – Port 12 → Production Camera 12
A clear labelling system can make future troubleshooting significantly easier.
The exact labelling format can be determined according to the project's network documentation standards.
The network plan should not disappear once installation is complete.
Maintain documentation showing:
This documentation can become valuable when the factory adds equipment or needs to troubleshoot an existing network.
Cable installation should be followed by appropriate testing.
The testing requirements depend on the type of cable and network installation.
For copper Ethernet, appropriate certification and continuity/performance testing can help verify that installed links meet the required specifications.
For fibre, the relevant optical testing should be performed using appropriate equipment and procedures.
Testing should be documented as part of the project handover rather than treating the installation as complete immediately after the cables are physically installed.
The rack should come after the network requirements have been understood.
A smaller distribution point may only require a wall-mounted rack.
A central network room may require a larger floor-standing rack.
Outdoor equipment may require an outdoor enclosure.
Elixir's Floor Mount Network Racks are available in multiple configurations from 17U to 42U, with cable entry glands, adjustable 19-inch mounting rails, ventilation and fan provisions. Elixir Network
Its Wall Mount Network Racks are available from 4U to 15U and include cable entry provisions, ventilation and mounting rails. Elixir Network
This allows the rack configuration to be matched to the equipment and network zone.
A simple planning sequence can be:
Identify offices, production areas, warehouses, security areas and additional buildings.
List computers, cameras, access points, switches, servers and other connected equipment.
Group devices according to their physical and operational location.
Identify the main network room and any secondary distribution points.
Determine the pathway and approximate length of every major connection.
Choose indoor CAT6, outdoor CAT6, armoured CAT6, patch cords or fibre according to the application.
Identify devices that require network-based power.
Determine the required cable managers, trays and rack accessories.
Reserve appropriate rack, cable-pathway and network capacity for future requirements.
Test the completed installation and document the final network layout.
A factory network may include far more than office computers. CCTV, access points and other connected equipment should be included from the beginning.
Indoor, outdoor and physically demanding routes may have different cable requirements.
A large factory campus may require fibre or additional network distribution rather than simply extending copper cabling.
Leaving no room for future equipment can make expansion unnecessarily difficult.
Large cable volumes should be accounted for in the rack design from the beginning.
Outdoor cameras, access points and remote buildings may require different cable and enclosure considerations.
A network that works but has no documentation can become difficult to maintain later.
Start with the factory layout. Identify buildings, departments, production areas, warehouses, security systems and other locations requiring network connectivity. Then map the devices and determine where network racks should be located.
There is no single cable that is ideal for every factory installation. Indoor CAT6 can be suitable for protected internal routes, outdoor CAT6 can be evaluated for exposed routes, armoured CAT6 can be considered where additional physical protection is required, and fibre can be evaluated for longer or backbone connections.
The requirement depends on the number of computers, cameras, access points, networked equipment and other devices. It is also sensible to consider future expansion when determining the number of network points.
Many industrial networks can use both. CAT6 can serve local device connections, while fibre can be used for longer-distance or building-to-building backbone connections.
Not necessarily. Rack requirements depend on the equipment architecture. A smaller installation may use a wall-mounted network rack, while a larger network or server room may require floor-standing racks.
Cables should be routed systematically, labelled consistently and organised using suitable cable-management systems. Rack accessories such as cable managers and trays can help maintain an organised installation.
Ideally, network infrastructure should be considered during the facility planning or fit-out stage. Early planning allows cable pathways, rack locations, power and network points to be coordinated before the installation becomes difficult to modify.
If the network cable itself is exposed to outdoor environmental conditions, an outdoor-rated cable should be evaluated. The camera being weather-resistant does not automatically make an indoor network cable suitable for outdoor use.
Planning network cabling for a factory in Gujarat should begin with the facility and its requirements, not with a catalogue of cables.
Map the factory. Identify every network-connected device. Divide the facility into logical zones. Determine rack locations and cable routes. Then select the appropriate cable construction for each environment.
A well-planned installation may combine indoor CAT6, outdoor CAT6, armoured cable and fibre, depending on the requirements of different network sections.
The supporting infrastructure matters just as much. Racks, cable managers, trays, cooling, power distribution and outdoor enclosures should all be considered as part of the same network design.
Elixir Network provides CAT6 networking cables, Wall Mount Racks, Floor Mount Racks, Outdoor Racks and networking accessories for different parts of structured networking infrastructure. Elixir Network
For a Gujarat factory, the objective should be simple: build a network that is organised for today, practical to maintain and prepared for tomorrow's expansion.
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Debut House members have access to engage with their industry's top pros and sharpen their creative skills.
Debut House members have access to engage with their industry's top pros and sharpen their creative skills.
Debut House members have access to engage with their industry's top pros and sharpen their creative skills.
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"Elixir Network offers a dependable range of racks and networking infrastructure products. The products are well-finished and suited to professional installations, making them a reliable choice for our requirements."
“We have been impressed with the overall quality of Elixir Network’s products. The racks are sturdy, well-finished and practical for professional installations, while the support team has been responsive throughout.”
“Working with Elixir Network has been a smooth experience from product selection to delivery. Their racks are well-built, professionally finished and suited perfectly to our infrastructure requirements.”
“Elixir Network has a good range of networking racks and enclosures for different applications. The product quality and finishing have been consistently reliable, making them a dependable choice for our projects.”
Elixir Network is an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturer of racks, enclosures, networking cables and infrastructure solutions, backed by 30+ years of manufacturing excellence. With in-house fabrication, coating and quality control, we deliver reliable and customised solutions for IT, networking, surveillance and telecom applications.
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