GRitchie Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I came into this job 6 months ago and have a long way to go before things are right, but I'm wanting to sort out the main server rack. The cables are very untidy and it's generally a mess (see below). I'm replacing one of the switches with a new HP switch, and the little mini HP switch in the rack currently is going back to the person I've borrowed it from. How would you go about cleaning all of this up? I don't have any money left, so I can't purchase another cab for the patch panels etc. (which I'd like to do). Thanks!
Steve21 Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Bit hard to see all as it's rotated, but mainly short cables looks like it'd make a ton of difference Need to do all of ours with short cables sometime. Steve
GRitchie Posted January 7, 2016 Author Posted January 7, 2016 So it is...! When uploaded it was right haha! Yeah, I replaced all the cabling, looks a damn sight better than it did. Do you think putting the switch and patch panels one on top of another would work better?, rather than reaching all the way down over the others? Also, I've seen people cable out of the pp, behind, and then up and in front of the switch. Hiding the cables that way. Opinions on that?
Steve21 Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 We have it patch-switch-patch-switch etc but it can be annoying as when new panels are added all the numbers of ports are all over the place. Personally I wouldn't do that as it would be a nightmare trying to do cable traces Easy if it's on front as you can hold a cable all the way Steve
caffrey Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I usually patch / switch / patch / switch - it's still messy but I'm planning (saving for a rainy day) to make my own cables to length. I guess you could do patch / cable management (e.g. brush panel) / switch etc. I'd do this but most of the cabs are full
GRitchie Posted January 7, 2016 Author Posted January 7, 2016 Think I'm going to re-arrange it as patch/switch layout. I'm going to try and put the PP's lower down and have the 'server stuff' towards the top. Should make it easier on the eye! Here's what it (probably rotates again) looked before I put even those short cables in. Thankfully, this isn't my handiwork:
mikkydoos Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 So it is...! When uploaded it was right haha! Yeah, I replaced all the cabling, looks a damn sight better than it did. Do you think putting the switch and patch panels one on top of another would work better?, rather than reaching all the way down over the others? Also, I've seen people cable out of the pp, behind, and then up and in front of the switch. Hiding the cables that way. Opinions on that? Like that, route them around the back - or invest in some short cables. Once they're patched in you won't need to touch them again - i.e. it doesn't matter if your cables cover your switches.
sted Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 with 48 port switches i tend to do patch switch patch patch switch patch and short cables picture taken before cables were sorted 4
Tesla Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 with 48 port switches i tend to do patch switch patch patch switch patch and short cables picture taken before cables were sorted [ATTACH=CONFIG]34124[/ATTACH] Glad that's not the after picture....although it doe slook very tidy! 2
sted Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Glad that's not the after picture....although it doe slook very tidy! should do. Over the holidays we got to replace all the schools servers switches smartboards reroute/replace network cables to a new home so everything in there is new (bar the internet stuff and espresso box) bit mucky though as builders were still in so we had to do set up in last few days before school came back wearing hard hats and high vis lol
Oaktech Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 Get some cable management bars... You aren't short of space, personally I'd get cable management and vented blanks and go patch, vent, cable, vent, switch Cable management bars won't sort out your issue of over-long cables, but it'll help.
GRitchie Posted January 7, 2016 Author Posted January 7, 2016 Want to sort it out ASAP, but it would definitely mean unplugging everything. Which, understandably, isn't possible during the school day!
john Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 I'm going to try and put the PP's lower down and have the 'server stuff' towards the top. Should make it easier on the eye! No you don't want to do that Servers are heavy you load racks from the bottom upwards to stability so the patch panels weigh nothing so go at the top of the rack and servers etc all go at the bottom 1
sted Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 No you don't want to do that Servers are heavy you load racks from the bottom upwards to stability so the patch panels weigh nothing so go at the top of the rack and servers etc all go at the bottom if for no other reason than imagine having to take out a server that was at head height the risk of dropping it would be much higher than one thats at knee height
win Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 cable manager on the side, and then run them along the middle cable managers to the ports. 1
Oaktech Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 No you don't want to do that Servers are heavy you load racks from the bottom upwards to stability so the patch panels weigh nothing so go at the top of the rack and servers etc all go at the bottom GenerallyI would agree, although I have been known to put servers at the top in a server only rack (no patch or switches) because there is a 150kg UPS in the bottom!
john Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 GenerallyI would agree, although I have been known to put servers at the top in a server only rack (no patch or switches) because there is a 150kg UPS in the bottom! True I have racks here that are full top to bottom with servers all 52U of them.... but general principal where you are like the OPs example no reason not to do it that way
twin--turbo Posted January 7, 2016 Posted January 7, 2016 The neatest way. 24 Port Patch Panel Brush Strip 48+2 Switch Brush Strip 24 Port Patch Panel Odd ports go top patch hiding excess in brush Even ports go to bottom patch Very neat and easy to work with. Sadly we run our edge from either HP5406 or 5412's which put too much density in one place and make it a right mess. Although it's just over two years old as an install it was just before I joind. TT 1
badders Posted January 8, 2016 Posted January 8, 2016 The neatest way. Odd ports go top patch hiding excess in brush Even ports go to bottom patch TT Like that idea, might have to start using it. I would agree with heavy large stuff at the bottom and a switch/panel/switch layout, although some of our cabs still need some work.
Popular Post sted Posted January 12, 2016 Popular Post Posted January 12, 2016 here it is fully cabled up 6
twin--turbo Posted January 12, 2016 Posted January 12, 2016 Yep that's how I do it with brushes. Looks very dusty in there?? TT
sted Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 Yep that's how I do it with brushes. Looks very dusty in there?? TT it was still a building site when it was assembled and the dust sheet kept going missing (you should of seen the copiers they were there all holiday with no dust sheet this was only there a week or 2). Keep meaning to get a duster etc but keep forgetting
browolf Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 use different coloured cables for the important ones like uplinks and keep all the rest grey. 1
GuyJD Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 use different coloured cables for the important ones like uplinks and keep all the rest grey.I like to use different colours for the servers, phones and wifi points too 1
GRitchie Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 Are they just brush panels with nothing behind? I'm going to get some cable tidy units I think, but I'm not sure if I should get brush units or the cable tray/box type units? Recommendations?
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now