Question Cable Management

[morella]

I have a 52U rack that I am starting to run out of space on. I need to do some cable management. I have two 48 port patch panels and two 48 port switches. The patch panels are already in place an can't be moved one on top of the other. I have the ability space wise to go:

2 U patch 1
2U patch 2
1U space
1U switch 1
1U space
1U switch 2
1U swtich 3
1U space
1U Router
2U Patch 3
(and then other things)

Is it feasible/advisable to get two 1U cable managers and have things enter/exit from top and bottom? Or will there not be space with safe bend radius? I haven't worked with cable managers before as the previous supervisor used a spaghetti management system. I was looking at a finger manager or a brush maybe. I think the ring type won't work here.

In case it matters: Most of the cables in Patch 1 goes to Switch 1 or 2. All the cables in patch panel 2 goes to patch panel 3. Switch 3 takes cables from devices in 3 other racks.

Thoughts?

 

[Alabalcho]

Last time I've worked with tall tacks was many moons ago, and back then Dell provided nice tool to arrange your rack, with modules for servers / panels / switches / etc. Use something similar to play with your setup. I'd say, important thing here is not the type of conduits (you might need some vertical ones, too) but rather equipment location in the rack.

 

[alceryes]

I've worked with racks as you describe many, many times. They are an eye-sore, and a cable management nightmare.

A great way to get rid of the 'spaghetti mess' is to do patch panel - switch - patch panel - switch, etc. That way you can just use 6 inch jumpers between the patch panel and switches. With 48 port switches you'll want two 24 port patches on top of one another (or one 48 port patch) in the 'in between' spaces so that that top 24 patches goes into the bottom 24 ports of the switch above it and the bottom 24 port patches goes to the top 24 ports on the switch below it.

I know you said that the patches can't be moved but I would ask why? Are the cables really that tight that you don't even have 1U of slack?

With most network cables (excluding some plenum and maybe some Cat6a varieties) you don't have to worry about bend radius. As far as cable management goes, the finger cable management will probably be best but you wouldn't even need it if you do the switch - patch - switch - patch, layout.

Note: Cable slack is often hidden in a drop ceiling or nearby IDF room of something similar. Don't take what you can see at the rack to mean that there is absolutely no slack whatsoever without popping a few ceiling tiles or following the runs yourself.

 

[morella]

I would say it has more to do with the time/money/down time allotted. There is a service loop, but I don't think I have the skill/ability to move it. They are set by physical location A101 and B101 is cubicle 1, A102 and B101 is cubicle 2, Room 3 has 4 ports with 4 different purposes. A201 goes to switch 1 on office net. A202 goes to switch 2 for network 2. A203 goest to switch 2 for network 3. B201 goes to the patch panel for phones.

Unfortunately this rack is live and I have some highly critical things on it that run 24/7. Office net I could take down during off hours no problem. I can reroute individual cables with some effort with little down time, but starting from scratch is out of the question. I am at a bit of a loss as to how to do this at this point.

I like the patch switch patch solution, but it does assume all cables in the patch goes to the switch below. We have a couple switches that are dedicated to a network, one for ease of making sure somebody doesn't plug into a critical network on accident, the other because it needs higher specs.

I guess my concern with the 1U finger manager is space. Is there enough? I do worry about bend radius, but I guess if done right that shouldn't be an issue. I just haven't used them before.

I've worked with racks as you describe many, many times. They are an eye-sore, and a cable management nightmare...

 

[jsmithepa]

Use thin Monoprice line of SlimRun patch cables, I switched mine all to it, 1gig LAN fine, but probably can't hang at 10g. Super-thin makes them very manageable indeed.

 

[Ralston18]

No disagreement with any of the preceding posts.

Here, in my mind anyway, is the crux of the matter:

"Unfortunately this rack is live and I have some highly critical things on it that run 24/7. Office net I could take down during off hours no problem. I can reroute individual cables with some effort with little down time, but starting from scratch is out of the question. I am at a bit of a loss as to how to do this at this point."

What needs to be done is to escalate the problem to upper management. Not give the problem to them per but just let them know that there is a problem and a fix is needed. Plus you have the fix.....

Agreed - you may not be able to start from scratch but that should not stop you.

Even in a 24/7 environment there is likely some window of opportunity available or a window of opportunity can be created if you can obtain the applicable management support to do so.

At some point "management" is going to have to face up to the fact that the racks are out of space.

Build your case, present the facts, the problems, your solutions, find some "champions" to support you.

Then be ready to deliver the fix.