How do you organise the cables in your racks?

Posted by Tim on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Tim
Published on 2009-06-16T12:03:43Z Indexed on 2012/11/18 17:06 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 684

Filed under:

cables

|

cable-management

I'm migrating my current half-size rack to a full-size rack and want to take the opportunity to reorganize and sort our spaghetti-hell of ethernet cables.

What system do you use for organising your cables? Do you use any tracking software?

Do you physically label the cables?

What are you identifying when you label each end? Mac address? Port number? Asset number?

What do you use to label them?

I was looking at a hand held labeler, but the wrap around laser printer sheets might work. The Brady ID PAL seems good, but it's pricey.

Ideas?

© Server Fault or respective owner

Related posts about cables

Where to buy longer PC cables online?

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I am planning to build a new PC soon that will need almost all of it's cables to be extended or longer then noirmal cables to reach including, Longer cables for my 3-4 monitors to reach my PC to where they are mounted on my desk Longer USB cables for mouse and other USB items Probably other… >>> More
What’s the best way to label cables in a data center

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
We're in the midst of planning for a big data center renovation at my office, which is going to result in a completely new power and network infrastructure. As part of this, I'd like to label all of our cables properly and sanely. What are your best practices, both for labeling patch panels, cables… >>> More
What's wrong with my custom patch cables?

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I have a box of bulk Cat5e riser cable left over from when I had my house wired. I figured I could use this to make some custom length cables for connecting my computers, switches, etc. I had a crimper already so I bought a bag of RJ45 plugs. I made a few cables several years ago, but my experience/knowledge… >>> More
iPod Shuffle (3G) - USB adapter cables

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
The iPod shuffle (3G) seems to have a proprietary connector that is different than the previous one for iPod shuffle (2G). I have tried the cable that comes with the 2G, and even a 3rd party charger, and their connectors are physically keyed so you cannot plug them in. Is anyone using a 3rd-party… >>> More
Turn the Cables from Your Gaming or Electronics Setup into a Wall-Based Work of Art

as seen on How to geek - Search for 'How to geek'
When it comes to gaming setups or our favorite electronics, there are always lots of cables to deal with. Now you could just bundle those cables up and try to hide them as best you can or you could turn them into a work of art… You can see additional pictures and find out how to set up your… >>> More

Related posts about cable-management

Fiber in Cable Management Arm

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I'm aware of the existing debate on cable management arms. For those people who DO use cable management arms, do you put Fiber into the arms? It looks like I'm fine on minimum bend radii, but am looking for additional opinions before I do anything. -Troy >>> More
Do you really need cable management for a cabinet with just switches and patch panels?

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
We are about to start wiring out a building expansion and our vendor has laid out the racks in the following configuration: Option 1 1U Fiber patch panel 2U Cable Manager 2U 48 port Patch Panel 2U Cable Manager 2U 48 port Patch Panel 2U Cable Manager 1U 48 port Switch 2U Cable Manager 1U 48… >>> More
Cable management techniques

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
How do you manage the giant jungle of cables behind your PC? When you have 2 or more PCs next to each other, you wind up with this giant mess cables that's a pain in the neck to clean especially when both computers are running 24/7 and any fidgeting with the cables is likely to cause data loss and/or… >>> More
Cable management techniques

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
How do you manage the giant jungle of cables behind your PC? When you have 2 or more PCs next to each other, you wind up with this giant mess cables that's a pain in the neck to clean especially when both computers are running 24/7 and any fidgeting with the cables is likely to cause data loss and/or… >>> More
Cable management between multiple racks

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I am in the planning phase of re-cabling our 5 racks in one of our offices and I would like to ask for some guidance on how you go, or would go about managing cables that goes between racks. In our situation we have 5 racks where the furthest to the right is our main patch panel for 300 floor ports… >>> More