Network Design & Cabling
Structured cabling, WiFi design, data point installation, and complete network infrastructure for Cape Town businesses and schools.
Every modern business depends on its network. Slow speeds, dropped connections, and WiFi dead zones are not just annoying — they are productivity killers that cost your business real money every day. At the root of most network problems is poor design: cheap consumer equipment, unmanaged switches, overlapping WiFi channels, and cable runs that were added haphazardly over years of growth. ASH Electronics designs and builds networks properly from the start, using professional-grade infrastructure that scales with your business.
Our network installations span the full stack: physical infrastructure (Cat5e, Cat6, and fibre optic cabling with proper termination and testing), active equipment (managed switches, enterprise wireless access points, routers, and firewalls), and logical configuration (VLANs, QoS, firewall rules, and remote access). We work across Lansdowne, Athlone, Claremont, Wynberg, Kenilworth, the Southern Suburbs, and the broader Cape Town area for businesses of all sizes and schools at every level.
The key advantage of working with ASH Electronics for network infrastructure is integration. We do not just lay cables and leave — we also install the security cameras, access control systems, and IT support that run over that network. This means your network is designed with all its users in mind from day one: security cameras on their own VLAN, VoIP phones with QoS prioritisation, workstations separated from guest WiFi, and servers protected by a properly configured firewall. One design, one installation, one point of accountability. That is how a network should be built.
Structured Cabling
- Cat5e and Cat6 data point installation with wall plates and patch panels
- Fibre optic cabling for backbone runs between floors and buildings
- Cable testing and certification using Fluke CableIQ equipment
- Neat cable management in trunking, conduit, and cable trays
- Patch panel installation and labelling in server racks and wall cabinets
- Full cabling documentation including cable schedule and floor plan
WiFi Design & Deployment
- WiFi site surveys to identify coverage gaps and interference sources
- Enterprise access point installation (Ubiquiti UniFi, TP-Link Omada)
- Seamless roaming configuration for laptops and mobile devices
- Separate SSID configuration for staff, guest, and IoT device isolation
- Channel planning and power settings for optimal throughput
- WiFi controller setup for centralised management and reporting
Network Infrastructure Design
- End-to-end network design documentation before any installation begins
- Managed switch configuration with VLAN segmentation for security
- QoS configuration to prioritise VoIP, video conferencing, and critical apps
- Firewall installation and rule configuration (pfSense, Cisco, Fortinet)
- VPN setup for secure remote access for staff and management
- Network monitoring and alerting for proactive fault detection
Server Rack & Patch Panel Setup
- Wall-mount and floor-standing network cabinet installation
- Patch panel installation with full port labelling and documentation
- Switch, router, and UPS rack mounting with proper cable management
- Cable lacing and velcro management for a clean, professional finish
- Server rack installation in dedicated server rooms and comms closets
- Power distribution unit (PDU) installation with load balancing
Integrated Network, Security & Electrical — Designed as One System
Most commercial buildings end up with their electrical, IT network, and security systems designed independently by separate contractors with no coordination between them. This results in CCTV cameras on the same network segment as workstations, IP phones fighting for bandwidth with large file transfers, and security systems that drop off the network when a switch fails. ASH Electronics designs all three as a single integrated system — your network supports your security cameras, your access control, your VoIP phones, and your workstations, each correctly segmented and prioritised. From data point planning during building fit-out to full network redesign for established businesses in Lansdowne, Claremont, and across Cape Town's Southern Suburbs, we build networks that work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install data points in my office or home?
Data point installation pricing depends on the number of points, the cable run distances, and the difficulty of routing cable through walls, ceilings, or conduit. A single data point installation in an existing building typically ranges from R400 to R900 per point installed, including the Cat6 cable, wall plate, and patch into your network switch. New-build and renovation projects benefit from lower per-point costs when multiple points are done in the same visit. Contact us for a free site assessment and accurate quote for your Lansdowne, Southern Suburbs, or Cape Town property.
My WiFi has dead spots — can you fix it without running new cables?
Yes. There are several approaches to eliminating WiFi dead spots depending on your building's construction. We can deploy enterprise-grade mesh access points (such as Ubiquiti UniFi or TP-Link Omada) that provide seamless roaming throughout a building. For properties where running cables is impractical, we also install powerline adapters or MoCA adapters that use your existing electrical or coaxial wiring to backhaul access points without new cabling. We always recommend a site assessment to identify the root cause of coverage issues before recommending a solution.
What is the difference between Cat5e, Cat6, and fibre cabling?
Cat5e cable supports speeds up to 1 Gbps at distances up to 100 metres and remains suitable for most small office and school applications. Cat6 cable supports 1 Gbps reliably and 10 Gbps at shorter distances (up to 55m), with better crosstalk rejection — making it the current standard for new installations. Fibre optic cable supports speeds of 10 Gbps and beyond at distances of hundreds of metres to kilometres, is immune to electrical interference, and is ideal for backbone runs between buildings or floors. ASH Electronics installs all three cabling types and recommends the appropriate standard based on your current and future bandwidth requirements.
How do I know how many data points I need?
A general rule is one data point per desk plus one for a shared printer, then additional points for access points, IP phones, IP cameras, and any equipment that benefits from a wired connection. For home offices, 2–4 data points in the workspace is typical. For a 10-person office, we normally plan 12–18 points including spares for future equipment. During a free site assessment, we walk the space with you, map out equipment locations, and recommend a cabling plan that gives you flexibility without over-investing.
Can you design our network from scratch for a new office or school?
Yes — network design for new offices, school computer labs, and campus environments is one of our core services. The process starts with a requirements gathering session covering user counts, application needs, bandwidth requirements, security zones, and future growth plans. We then produce a network design document covering cable routes, switch and access point placement, VLAN design, and firewall configuration. The design is shared with you for approval before any installation work begins, so you know exactly what is being built.
Wired or wireless — which is better for a business network?
Wired connections via Cat6 cable are always faster, more reliable, and more secure than wireless for stationary devices like desktop computers, IP phones, printers, servers, and CCTV cameras. WiFi is ideal for mobile devices — laptops, tablets, and phones — and for areas where cabling is impractical. Best practice for any business network is a hybrid approach: wire every fixed device, and use enterprise-grade access points for wireless coverage. Cheap consumer routers running both wired and wireless functions are a common cause of slow, unreliable office networks — we replace these with proper managed infrastructure.
Do you integrate the network with CCTV and security systems?
Yes. This integrated approach is a key differentiator for ASH Electronics. Your CCTV cameras, access control readers, alarm panels, and business workstations all run over the same physical network infrastructure — but we design proper VLAN segmentation to keep security traffic isolated from business traffic. This means a compromised workstation cannot access your camera system, and camera bandwidth does not degrade your internet speed. We design the electrical, security, and IT network as a single coordinated system rather than three separate projects installed by different contractors.