When moving offices, or setting up your station for the first time, all the wires and ports can be a bit confusing. This guide exists to assist with the setup process, in the hopes of making it a bit less stressful.
In this article we will cover the setup and cabling configuration for:
- Desk Phones
- Laptop Docks
- Desktops
Phone
Phones get both power and connectivity through Ethernet (visible below) utilizing a system called "PoE" (Power-over-Ethernet). This means that you typically only need a single cable to get the phone working.
Some offices may still be set up with devices called PoE injectors -- little black or grey boxes that sit in-between the wall and the phone to provide power -- though this is being phased out as we upgrade networking equipment.
The ports for additional connections can be used to link multiple phones through a single Ethernet port, or even provide Ethernet access to your dock/computer if there is a shortage of wall ports.
Be aware that connecting your computer through a phone can throttle internet speeds significantly, so running both to the wall separately is ideal.
Dock
Docks are provided with all laptops and allow you to easily connect/disconnect peripherals and Ethernet connections. We currently purchase Dell brand WD22 docks that resemble the picture above.
Once connected, be sure to run Dell Command Update to check for dock firmware upgrades.
If you have a Surface Laptop and a Dell dock, please reach out to the Helpdesk for assistance upgrading the firmware if you begin experiencing issues.
It is important to note that the USB-C port (small, ovular) near the other monitor ports is rated for display, but can have trouble if there is an additional HDMI cable connected in the adjacent port. If you are connecting a display via USB-C and are experiencing trouble, try moving the USB-C cable over to the right side.
Desktop
Some desktops have support for WiFi, but many do not. Be sure that you have access to an Ethernet port when purchasing desktop set ups.
While these pictures are good general representations, some models have slightly different monitor output ports available. Check with the Helpdesk if you need different cables or adapters.