Planning a Structured LAN for Your School or Office: 8 Things to Get Right
A school or office network is only as reliable as the cabling and equipment behind the wall. Laptops, Wi-Fi access points, CCTV, printers and online services all depend on it, yet structured cabling is often planned last and fixed in a hurry. At eDruk Private Limited we have worked on LAN and fibre projects across Bhutan, including school LAN and networking work for the Ministry of Education in Lhuentse, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar and Pema Gatshel, and structured Cat6 cabling for government offices. Here is what we have learned about getting it right the first time.
1. Start with a site survey and a simple map
Walk the building before buying anything. Note every classroom, office, lab and staff room that needs a data point or Wi-Fi coverage, where the main rack can sit safely, and how cables can travel between floors or blocks. A simple floor plan with marked points makes quoting, installation and later troubleshooting much easier.
2. Follow a cabling standard
Use a recognised standard such as Cat6 cabling terminated to TIA/EIA-568B, and keep runs within the recommended length. Consistent termination, proper patch panels and neat cable management mean any technician can understand the network years later, not just the person who installed it.
3. Label everything
Every wall outlet, patch panel port and cable should carry the same label. When a teacher reports that “the computer in Room 12 has no internet”, a labelled network lets you trace the fault in minutes instead of hours.
4. Plan power, not just data
Switches and access points need clean, stable power. Plan power distribution and PDUs for the rack, and consider a UPS so short power cuts do not take the whole network down. Good earthing and surge protection matter in buildings that face frequent lightning and voltage fluctuations.
5. Choose and configure switches and access points carefully
Pick managed switches and access points that suit the number of users and devices. Then configure them properly: separate networks (VLANs) for staff, students, guests and CCTV, strong Wi-Fi passwords, updated firmware, and changed default admin logins. Equipment that is installed but not configured well rarely performs as expected.
6. Think about the link between buildings
On campuses with several blocks, optical fibre is usually the better choice for links between buildings because it covers longer distances and is not affected by electrical interference. eDruk has delivered optical fibre infrastructure work in many dzongkhags, so we can advise on when fibre makes sense and how to plan it.
7. Test, document and hand over
Every point should be tested before handover. Keep a record of test results, the floor map, rack layout, equipment list and admin credentials in a safe place. This documentation is what keeps the network manageable when staff change.
8. Plan for maintenance
Networks need care after installation: firmware updates, checking for loose or damaged cables, reviewing who has access and replacing failing equipment. A simple maintenance plan, whether done in-house or through an operation and maintenance arrangement, prevents small problems from becoming outages.
Planning a new network or an upgrade?
eDruk Private Limited, established in 2004, offers structured LAN cabling, network equipment supply, installation and configuration, optical fibre networks and technical consultation for schools, offices and organisations in Bhutan. Talk to us before you start, and we will help you plan a network that is reliable and easy to manage.
Email: edruk@edruk.com.bt
Phone: +975 2 332277
Website: www.edruk.com.bt