Have mini network cabinets been invented? If not, why not?!

[dubsdj]

Does anyone know if anyone has made small metal lockable network cabinets that are suitable for lets say an 8 port gigbit switch or something along those lines?

 

Please send me a link if you know of anywhere?

 

thanks

Edited July 24, 2020 by dubsdj

[Steve21]

Does it have to be that small (as in just for the switch), or could you use like a 4u wall mounted? 30cm~

 

Steve

[dubsdj]

yes small so it fits the mini switch and you can feed 8 ethernet cables into it via the top hatch. It's to protect those small ad hoc switches that you stick under desks to get network connectivity in a room and to stop little hands from messing with the device. Edited July 24, 2020 by dubsdj

[Steve21]

Never seen anything that size really, either you're talking like a 1U space saver, but that's still going to be wider than an 8 port.

 

Is there space restriction, or another reason you wouldn't consider a bigger one? Just thinking like how you're planning to power it without space for plugs/pdu etc

 

Steve

[dubsdj]

It's for those scenarios where you have to fit out a class room with some computers in a rush and you stick a small switch under the desk etc.. It's always baffled me why there isn't anything out there that can protect the switches from kids who like to plug the cables in on themselves. I'm not so bothered about the plug being accessible as if they turn it off it just cuts the network out in that room, it's more to stop kids unplugging cables and creating loop situations (which they seem to like to do). We have a super nerd who likes to cause trouble, every school has one. Edited July 24, 2020 by dubsdj

[steve]

Have a search for SOHO cabinets: https://www.millsltd.com/cabinets-enclosures/soho-cabinets-accessories.html

[dubsdj]

Have a search for SOHO cabinets: https://www.millsltd.com/cabinets-enclosures/soho-cabinets-accessories.html

 

 

That looks promising.

[Steve21]

it's more to stop kids unplugging cables and creating loop situations one.

 

In that case I'd go for RJ45 locks rather than a cab.

 

If you haven't seen them before these kind of things (random website to link):

 

https://patchsavesolutions.com/rj45-patch-cable-locks/2684-rj45-lockdown-patch-cord-locks-pair-in-black.html

 

You put them over the ends of the cables, and they tighten with allen key to stop people being to access the plug-end

 

Steve

[dubsdj]

In that case I'd go for RJ45 locks rather than a cab.

 

If you haven't seen them before these kind of things (random website to link):

 

https://patchsavesolutions.com/rj45-patch-cable-locks/2684-rj45-lockdown-patch-cord-locks-pair-in-black.html

 

You put them over the ends of the cables, and they tighten with allen key to stop people being to access the plug-end

 

Steve

 

Ah yes I've seen those, maybe I'll give those a try. Thanks Steve

[southhamster]

I've seen some small lockable wall mount metal boxes which are meant for fibre termination and have room for a small switch as well.

[dubsdj]

cool, do you have a link?

[dubsdj]

I see, those I guess:

 

https://www.fibrefox.co.uk/fibre-patch-panels-boxes/13099-st-lockable-wall-mounting-enclosure.html?ipa=3571&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpazyurPm6gIVmrp3Ch0ekwPrEAYYAyABEgKAz_D_BwE#/119-no_of_ports-12_port

 

bit pricey though but look exactly like what I was looking for.

[slugshead]

2u - 4u 19" Low Profile Horizontal Mount Wall Cabinet

[3s-gtech]

Small desktop switches shoved in classrooms need to go in a fire, rather than a cabinet! For the cost, may be worth pricing up some cable runs?

 

Otherwise, it’s not too hard for DT to knock up a small cabinet with a lockable front, if you’re on good terms with them?

[dubsdj]

Yeah I totally agree but these are temporary solutions until people make their minds up for class room layouts. I've never been to a client yet who doesn't have small switches and even hubs dotted about the place. I guess you're an exception Edited July 24, 2020 by dubsdj

[southhamster]

More like these:

https://www.cablemonkey.co.uk/fibre-patch-panels-boxes/13099-st-lockable-wall-mounting-enclosure.html

[dhicks]

Does anyone know if anyone has made small metal lockable network cabinets that are suitable for lets say an 8 port gigbit switch or something along those lines?

 

The 19" rackmount standard is used for music studio equipment, so you might find something suitible at Gear4Music or Studio Spares. The thing to search for might be "stage box", we have a couple of 2U units holding amplifiers and mixers on our stage.

[3s-gtech]

Yeah I totally agree but these are temporary solutions until people make their minds up for class room layouts. I've never been to a client yet who doesn't have small switches and even hubs dotted about the place. I guess you're an exception

 

I do sympathise, despite my tone! Been there in the past. We’ve had a huge capital investment in Wales a few years back that focused on networking as they wanted desktop switches and other temporary measures gone. We’ve had another round of this in 2020.

 

I found that it was better putting some cash into cables rather than cabs. If the switch is 1Gb it’ll probably perform okay, but the vulnerability is always an issue.

[synaesthesia]

Yeah I totally agree but these are temporary solutions until people make their minds up for class room layouts. I've never been to a client yet who doesn't have small switches and even hubs dotted about the place. I guess you're an exception

 

Can't stress enough how true this is. You can imagine our dismay when, after having recabled our entire school, everything paid for and signed off to be told "Ah, we're going to need another 10 computers in that room and possible change of use for another room too..." - plus with social distancing etc there will be IT everywhere. Perhaps less of an issue in modern buildings where cable-flooding is cheap and easy and the idea of 20 outlets in every room "just in case" seems simple though!

[smurfomatic]

Can't stress enough how true this is. You can imagine our dismay when, after having recabled our entire school, everything paid for and signed off to be told "Ah, we're going to need another 10 computers in that room and possible change of use for another room too..." - plus with social distancing etc there will be IT everywhere. Perhaps less of an issue in modern buildings where cable-flooding is cheap and easy and the idea of 20 outlets in every room "just in case" seems simple though!

 

Going through this myself - one building rewired last summer, now we're on the "let's change offices" merry-go-round, so currently (who knows, this has already changed once in the last fortnight) three people are moving into a room with one double network socket. Apparently this needs to be done between returning to work on 17th August and the start of term. Bear in mind this is an old building, wooden floorboards, so will need a site survey - and have to find a company that's available!

 

[Olliekai]

Key cabinet with holes drilled.