Server Cabinet to Switch Cabinet

[loustarrrr]

Hi All,

 

We are looking to rearrange our server room in the near future.

We have two options available to us:

 

1) Connect server to switch directly at the switch cabinet.

 

2) Connect the servers to a patch panel in the server cabinet, then that patch panel is linked to a patch panel in the switch cabinet, then from there into the switch.

 

The switch and server cabinets are both in the same room.

 

I'm currently weighted towards option 2 for tidier cabling, and future proofing as we don't need to run extra cables along the ceiling space.

 

However option one is more cost effective.

 

What would any additional pros and cons be with these two solutions?

 

Thanks,

Lou

[Driftingashore]

I'm no expert by any means, but in my opinion you should really go with option 2. If you need to remove/find/test/trace a cable, I'd much rather see that a server is plugged into patch 4 in the server cabinet and know that it comes out at patch 4 in the switch cabinet, than see a cable disappearing into the ceiling and have to examine the cables going into the switch and hope they were marked. Ugh.

 

I suppose you could colour code your cables if there aren't too many, or tag them and hope the tags don't fall off, but the only pro I can think of for not using two patch panels is that it's cheaper and easier to install. Do it once with good cable and patches and you'll never have to worry about it again.

[foofighterjim]

I was in the same position last year I went with option two, it just make more sense.

[featured_spectre]

Option 2 hands down.

[john]

Option 2 for sure and when you fit Option 2 ensure that you have twice the amount of cables that you think you need as you can never have enough

[webman]

Definitely option 2. Done it before and it was the most flexible option - it made moving devices within the cab or to other cabs really easy and tidy.

[FN-GM]

Option 2

 

Thats what we do!

[loustarrrr]

Thank you all for your feedback!

 

Have a great day

[featured_spectre]

You too good sir!