Help me tidy up my node zero!
Discussion
Well I put all this together in a bit of a hurry what with all sorts going on at the same time. This is the first time I've done this too (you would never have guessed would you?).
This weekend I'm going to tear everything down and reinstall it properly so that I can get a rackmount UPS unit in.
The worst thing is that the 30 or so CAT 6 cables (blue) block a lot of access to all the other rack gear. There is about 3 meters of slack left just in case but this slack takes up a lot of space in the bottom of the rack.
So what's the best way of doing this? Is there a particular order that things should be put in from say top to bottom? ie Amps, switches, UPS etc
If anybody has any pretty pictures of their perfectly installed node zero, could they post them up?
This weekend I'm going to tear everything down and reinstall it properly so that I can get a rackmount UPS unit in.
The worst thing is that the 30 or so CAT 6 cables (blue) block a lot of access to all the other rack gear. There is about 3 meters of slack left just in case but this slack takes up a lot of space in the bottom of the rack.
So what's the best way of doing this? Is there a particular order that things should be put in from say top to bottom? ie Amps, switches, UPS etc
If anybody has any pretty pictures of their perfectly installed node zero, could they post them up?
Edited by Driller on Thursday 4th June 19:20
Edited by Driller on Tuesday 16th June 22:09
You're using an open rack frame so component order doesnt matter, there is no thermal management going on as such its all just openly radiating, which is fine but it means you dont have to worry about component order.
Trunking would help, as would a patch panel and trimming the Cat6 to match where the patch panel sits.
Then all your services that utilise the Cat6 can run local patch cables and lacing bars.
Plotloss said:
You're using an open rack frame so component order doesnt matter, there is no thermal management going on as such its all just openly radiating, which is fine but it means you dont have to worry about component order.
Trunking would help, as would a patch panel and trimming the Cat6 to match where the patch panel sits.
Then all your services that utilise the Cat6 can run local patch cables and lacing bars.
I have a patch panel already, this is what you mean right?:
So I should cut the cat6 and cable it straight into the patch panel, no loops or slack at all, you know for silly mistakes and stuff...
? Is it acceptable practice to split the cat6 into 2 pony tails and run them up the rack sides and into the patch panel?Oh yeah and I know it's difficult but by the look of the rack how much weight do you reckon it can take?
The UPS is about 21Kg which all in makes about 50Kg. All the closed racks go up to 300kg I believe but this ain't one of those...
You can split the incoming bundle as many ways as you need to, so two tails is fine or four if its easier.
As long as the cable reaches the floor and then back up to the panel then you're good for slack, use velcro cable ties to set everything in place then remove them and use proper cable ties, not too tight.
As long as the cable reaches the floor and then back up to the panel then you're good for slack, use velcro cable ties to set everything in place then remove them and use proper cable ties, not too tight.
Plotloss said:
You can split the incoming bundle as many ways as you need to, so two tails is fine or four if its easier.
As long as the cable reaches the floor and then back up to the panel then you're good for slack, use velcro cable ties to set everything in place then remove them and use proper cable ties, not too tight.
Great, thanks for the advice Matt, I shall proceed thus.As long as the cable reaches the floor and then back up to the panel then you're good for slack, use velcro cable ties to set everything in place then remove them and use proper cable ties, not too tight.
EK993 said:
Seriously.... that's awful!
I know, I know! 
As I said it was my first and done in a rush.EK993 said:
For example from our data centre...
Now that's what I'm talking about 
. Got any from the rear guvnor? (ooh er missus)They actually have clips you can attach to the front - we use red for data and green for voice.
The absolutely best thing about them though - they have 2 strands of fibre optic running down the cable. Clip on the torch they supply to the cable, switch the torch on and the other end blinks. No more scraped knuckles trying to trace cables through, and you can identify end to end in seconds. Brilliant product:
http://www.patchsee.com/
Demo of how it works:
http://www.patchsee.com/en/article.php3?id_article...
The absolutely best thing about them though - they have 2 strands of fibre optic running down the cable. Clip on the torch they supply to the cable, switch the torch on and the other end blinks. No more scraped knuckles trying to trace cables through, and you can identify end to end in seconds. Brilliant product:
http://www.patchsee.com/
Demo of how it works:
http://www.patchsee.com/en/article.php3?id_article...
Edited by EK993 on Thursday 4th June 21:49
We have started to stock (Huge telecoms distro) these cassette based CAT5/6 patches which are pretty cool, but bloody expensive
will take some pics of my racks at some point but not today as we are still removing the legacy cable from our old phone system.
Fibre backbones (using OM3) is the future!
will take some pics of my racks at some point but not today as we are still removing the legacy cable from our old phone system.
Fibre backbones (using OM3) is the future!
Famous Graham said:
You should see the cabinet I've inherited. Tis only 4 switches, 3 voice panels and 6 patch panels, but the cabling is horrendous.
That patchsee thing sounds like a fantastic idea.
Just attack it! Here is a before and after of one I inherited... we recabled with patchsee over a weekend.That patchsee thing sounds like a fantastic idea.
Famous Graham said:
Yep, that's about the size of it 
It's on my (huge) list of things to do (somewhat after buying god knows how many licenses to get legal, putting AV on half the PCs and various other sundry minor things like that
)
The most important thing to do is a proper audit before ripping cables out! Be really really thorough with it and you will save a huge amount of bashing head against wall time when recabling.It's on my (huge) list of things to do (somewhat after buying god knows how many licenses to get legal, putting AV on half the PCs and various other sundry minor things like that
)EK993 said:
Famous Graham said:
Yep, that's about the size of it
It's on my (huge) list of things to do (somewhat after buying god knows how many licenses to get legal, putting AV on half the PCs and various other sundry minor things like that)
The most important thing to do is a proper audit before ripping cables out! Be really really thorough with it and you will save a huge amount of bashing head against wall time when recabling.It's on my (huge) list of things to do (somewhat after buying god knows how many licenses to get legal, putting AV on half the PCs and various other sundry minor things like that
)
Just today got hold of the proper HP software for the switches so I can map out what's connected to whatFamous Graham said:
EK993 said:
Famous Graham said:
Yep, that's about the size of it
It's on my (huge) list of things to do (somewhat after buying god knows how many licenses to get legal, putting AV on half the PCs and various other sundry minor things like that)
The most important thing to do is a proper audit before ripping cables out! Be really really thorough with it and you will save a huge amount of bashing head against wall time when recabling.It's on my (huge) list of things to do (somewhat after buying god knows how many licenses to get legal, putting AV on half the PCs and various other sundry minor things like that
) Just today got hold of the proper HP software for the switches so I can map out what's connected to what
Right i kinda get the hp software bit as you are looking at whats patched into each switch port but how does that help in terms of switch port to patch panel or am i being dim?
EK993 Wasnt too sure about the black patch leads initially but kinda like it now its much cleaner just lacking in colour. The fibre leads are a stunning idea much easier than spending hrs sticking lables to patch leads which is what i used to have to do at BoA whenever we put in a new floor/crash centre.
Driller depending ow particular you want to get why not put up a strip of floor to ceiling cable tray on the wall behind as the open rack doesnt have all that much space for fixing stuff on the side?
I reckon you could tidy all that up quite easily within a few hrs .
I reckon you could tidy all that up quite easily within a few hrs .
Edited by jimmyb on Friday 5th June 20:48
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