Starting Point

Hello,

At what point would you say that the network should be qualified? Before or after installation?

If it’s a new network, you should aim to try and achieve Quality by Design (QbD). Prospectively document your network, and make sure you test the cabling when it is installed - verify that this is within specification. Once your system is up and running it may well be very difficult to test some horizontal cabling as it may well be hosting critical systems that can’t be disconnected.

You can qualify your intelligent devices in a lab or workshop prior to installation so that then there are just basic checks to perform when the kit goes live.

If you’ve got a robust approach this should be too difficult.

when performing retrospective validation of your network, you will have to plan to do cable tests etc when the system isn’t in use; you can schedule downtime with users for systems that aren’t critical.