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Network Infrastructure Magazine | Tuesday, June 07, 2022
Companies should carefully plan and execute their cabling infrastructure, as well as develop a maintenance policy.
Fremont, CA: The importance of data center cable management is well understood by most IT teams. Increased operational overhead, longer installations, troubleshooting challenges, and even accidental downtime can all result from disorganized "spaghetti" wiring. Patch cables that aren't properly maintained might obstruct airflow, raising energy expenditures and perhaps causing equipment to overheat.
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However, in today's highly complex IT environment, many classic data center cable management systems are no longer viable. There's more to track as rack density rise and multi-hop connections become increasingly common. Methods based on spreadsheets are no longer sufficient. Many firms are also gradually transitioning from copper to fiber-optic cabling, resulting in a hybrid infrastructure that meets a variety of needs.
Here are some best practices for efficient cable management in data centers.
Including cable management in network architecture: Many network design decisions, such as port density and switch placement in the rack, have an impact on cable management. Is copper or fiber going to be used? How quickly will capacity be added to the network? To ensure a successful installation and efficient management, a number of elements should be considered as early as possible.
Validating design: On paper, it appears to be a nice idea, but will it work? Make sure there are enough connections and the proper type of connectors before purchasing equipment or cables. Anyone can easily overlook this stage, resulting in implementation delays.
Calculating cable length accurately: "Measure twice, cut once," as the carpenter's old adage goes, also applies to data center wiring. Using the proper cable length for each run reduces clutter and simplifies installation and troubleshooting. It also saves money.
Keeping a backup plan ready: In many circumstances, the implementation will be delegated to an infrastructure or operations group, or even a third party. Installation instructions that are vague or ambiguous might lead to costly rework and blunders. Every cable and connector type should be listed in the installation plan, along with explicit connecting instructions.
Choosing the right management solutions: The correct cable ties, D-ring managers, cable tray raceway systems, ladder rack runway systems, and other components can help you save time and money in the long term.
Keeping documents updated: It's more difficult to diagnose connectivity issues, maintain equipment, and offer new services with inaccurate, out-of-date patch cabling documentation.
Source: https://blog.enconnex.com/6-best-practices-for-cable-management-in-data-centers
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