Customer is being forced to move their MDF to another part of the same floor. There is roughly 200 drops that have to be relocated. I'm looking for the best way to do this.

I figure there's a few ways I could go but I'm hoping your suggestions can give me the best.

Unless it can be moved to a location within the lengths of the existing drops your only real option is to rewire. We've talked about this before. Throwing the existing patch panel up in the ceiling, some kind of little splice blocks, 25 pair that really isn't CAT5- knock yourself out if you want but it's still a hack job.

Moving an MDF should be taken VERY seriously because of the costs involved.

-Hal

I agree. This is in a highrise for a state insurance company. They didn't know the costs involved when they got this brilliant idea

Cable 5e or 6? If it is 5e rewire it cat6. That might justify the expense of the move.

Hey, it's only low voltage wire, right? Just move it so we can put the CFO's new office there.

-Hal

A IT guy would tell you, run 1 cable per location , connect Hosted phones and your done.

No, we wouldn't. 2 drops minimum per location.

Now a telco guy would say just splice the cables to reach

You will , in the future lose to the IT guys cable guy.

The future is here. Go with it and make loads of money.

If you don't, someone else will.

"Throwing the existing patch panel up in the ceiling, some kind of little splice blocks, 25 pair that really isn't CAT5- knock yourself out if you want but it's still a hack job."


Why "little" splice blocks? Why not Cat5e 66 blocks in a discretely installed cabinet? You'll need 16 blocks. Not a happy time for the guy who has to punch them down, but time is money.

You don't say if the MDF is voice only, or data only, or a combination of the two. I believe that one splice, on an approved and rated block, will pass certification.

It would most likely pass. Depending on how large it is you could turn it into an IDF add a few switches and run a fiber backbone to the new equipment location.