Network Rack Setup

[Josh123]

Ok so I just got done setting up a network rack this past weekend for our company. Our rack has cable runners on both sides going up and down with holes about every foot to the back side of the runner. I ran all the CAT5 from 4 patch panels at the top of the rack to the side and through the holes in the cable runner to the backside then down and to the front from a lower hole then to the switches.

I had it all nice and neat looking then sent some afterwork pictures to our network team in California. The guy said it looked very neat but suggested I run the CAT5 down the cable runner and leave it all in front so it's easier to back track. Do most people keep the cable in front like this? I have to admit it looked pretty damn slick but now that I changed it, it looks cluttered. He also suggested that I NOT use any velcro so it's not all tied together.

I'm not sure if it's just me and being use to trying to hide all the cables when building cables but I don't know.

 

[freegeeks]

your network team has issues. You normally don't need to backtrack in a rack, it's called documentation!!!
I also used different colors in the rack so it's easier to track a cable if really needed. I also use a cable locator.

 

[Josh123]

your network team has issues. You normally don't need to backtrack in a rack, it's called documentation!!!
I also used different colors in the rack so it's easier to track a cable if really needed. I also use a cable locator.

Ya, this is kind of what I was thinking. Panel port 1 goes to switch port 1.......how hard is that?

 

[imagoon]

Ya, this is kind of what I was thinking. Panel port 1 goes to switch port 1.......how hard is that?

This works until you have 500 building ports and only need to wire up 280 of them. Given that... I do try to mark cables with cable wraps. It would cost a ton to liven up the 220 unneed ports so we don't do it.

 

[Josh123]

This works until you have 500 building ports and only need to wire up 280 of them. Given that... I do try to mark cables with cable wraps. It would cost a ton to liven up the 220 unneed ports so we don't do it.

Ya I could definitely understand this problem. The one I wired up is only 24 ports so it's a lot easier lol.

 

[MtnMan]

This?

vs.

This?

 

[her209]

Cable management
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNpT0sluVy8

 

[notposting]

Hard to tell without pictures, but from what you're describing you may have ran the patch cables in the back where the horizontal cabling is? The patch cabling should be in it's own cable management system.

 

[drebo]

Honestly, it depends on the application. I've done it both ways.

For instance, in my datacenter, my switches are mounted on the back of the 4-post racks so that the 15 servers in each rack don't need to be plugged in back-to-front.

However, in general, for a small office installation, I'll put the switch on the front of the rack because there are typically fewer servers and visibility for troubleshooting is more important.