Cable Management for Networks
Having a network program server room with a correctly organized cable program ought to be the goal of all IT individuals. Re-organizing hundreds of tangled network cables isn’t what would be called an enjoyable task, but unfortunately, it has to be done. It will make troubleshooting network problems simpler and present a much more professional appearance.
Most server rooms in little or medium businesses are usually built with little or no regard for cable management. Most server areas most likely started out small and expanded as requirements demanded. When problems occur, it can become a troubleshooting nightmare, particularly relating to network connectivity difficulties.
Here are some simple ways to make professional and organized patch panel:
• Make a connectivity map. On paper, layout the area of all devices running inside your environment and assign a number to every.
• Use these numbers to tag every device along with their area on your patch panel.
• Disconnect patch cables going from the patch panel to the switches. Now, route them in an orderly manner as they are re-plugged. If possible, use a color scheme for the patch cables to categorize devices. For example, Servers use red cables, printers yellow and workstations blue.
• Use the correct lengths of cable – If only a foot-long patch cord is required, use a foot-long patch cord and not a six-foot a single. But do route cables up and down on the sides with the rack instead of having loads of direct point-to-point wires.
Don’t run a direct connection straight across just simply because you don’t have a longer a single inside your hand. Get a longer a single.
• Use cable ties and clamps to neaten the network cables coming into the server room.
• Label the RJ45 jacks in all locations with the same number as on the patch panel in the server room. The will speed troubleshooting and area tracing.
• Route all cables towards the side with the rack before moving up or down to a switch. This prevents cables from over-lapping other ports and allows you to maintain a clean front panel where you can still reach into the panel to make changes.