| In our high-tech society, connectivity is king, and | | | | A number of companies have recently developed |
| more and more neighborhoods, businesses, | | | | super-flat wires for everything from Ethernet |
| schools, churches and homes are growing savvy | | | | cables to speaker wires to electric and other |
| to the fact that they need their own networks | | | | household wiring. And when they say super-flat, |
| just to keep up with the rest of the world. This | | | | that's no exaggeration - these wires are literally |
| provides plenty of work for network technicians | | | | no thicker than a fingernail. |
| and a wiring adventure for Do-It-Yourselfers. | | | | This means that network wiring, with an |
| One common problem that arises when trying to | | | | unprecedentedly low profile, can now be run under |
| run a network cable from room to room is | | | | carpet, wallpaper, and even paint. Most brands |
| deciding where to run the wires. Under carpet | | | | have an adhesive side for easy mounting. The |
| works in certain situations; wiring through walls is | | | | other side is either a specific color (usually white) |
| the most popular solution but requires a lot of | | | | or a clear coat, specifically designed to take paint |
| work and leaves holes in your walls; and running | | | | well. |
| exterior wires along the wall looks unprofessional | | | | One thing to remember is that super-flat wires |
| and isn't appropriate in many settings. | | | | are usually un-terminated, meaning that there are |
| In some situations the choice is made for you - | | | | no plugs on either end, just wiring that can be cut |
| the walls are stone or brick, there is no carpet, or | | | | to exactly the needed length. So you're going to |
| there are preexisting crawl spaces or wiring ducts | | | | need a keystone jack and a wall mount box to |
| - but more often the installer is faced with the | | | | properly terminate and provide an easily-accessible |
| daunting task of cutting holes and fishing wires | | | | outlet on your wall. Termination how-to guides can |
| while trying not to ruin the décor. Fear | | | | easily be found through Google, there are dozens |
| not, fellow aspiring network technician, there is a | | | | of them out there. |
| simpler solution. | | | | |