Re-organizing cable management for client. Need help.

Fredtx

I've been tasked with re-organizing this clients IT closet, which also means the cabling. It's a pretty big mess.

I would like to know what is the best practice on how to perform this tasks? Perhaps, steps in order to make sure it gets done properly. Items needed to do the job would help too. For example, I know I will need Velcro. I have some straps with me, but most likely not enough.

Pics below

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14mXs8FgyziTOGpwRX-wXtI94wdz-kzBI/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/155kaPJWnMBNxF9Z6vZM2atCCeEaNwBZc/view?usp=sharing

JaredBusch

@fredtx
Lots of Patience
Lots of Velcro
More Patience

Fredtx

This article seems to have some valid points.

Cable Management Best Practice

1337

@fredtx

That's easy stuff.
You don't need patience with this method, you need resolve.

INVENTORY

Figure out what is connected to what
Figure out if ports on managed switches have different config
Take "before" pictures

NEW DESIGN

Decide the most logical place to put every rack item
Determine if you need to add something, for instance patch panels, cable management or even a better rack
Make a new rack layout drawing
Guesstimate what patch cables you need and what length
Don't color code (unless you are Google) - except maybe one cable that is "hot" (internet)
Look at the power cables and decide what length you need, if you need an extra PDU etc.
Get customer approval

ORDER

Order the items you need
Order MANY extra patch cables in 1 ft incremental lengths (cables are cheap, time is expensive)
Get a roll of velcro
Buy a labeller if you don't have one and labels to it
Get a cable comb if you have many cables that are run in parallell (don't look like it from the pics)

RIP OUT AND REPLACE

Plan a date to do it
Shutdown everything
Rip out every cable and throw them away
Cut of any zip ties, leave them on the floor
Move around things if needed, according to the new design
Add any new rack items
Connect everything and mark the new patch cables it with a labeller as you do it - if you want it to be labelled
Do it in a logical order that you have decided before hand
Use the right length patch cable for everything
Use the right length power cable for everything

FINISH

When everything is done - power up and verify that everything is working
Clean up, sweep the floor, throw away old cables
Take "after" pictures
Leave the extra patch cables for the customer, so they have them at hand when things needs to be added or reconnected

This is an example of what you want:
Youtube Video

Fredtx

@pete-s

I appreciate the help!!

I definitely have something to work with now!

Thank you thank you!

ElecEng

Use Patchbox. Also, use the free rack planner tool at Patchbox also.

https://patchbox.com/

hobbit666

Saw this and thought it was a good idea

JaredBusch

@hobbit666 never do anything permanent like this

hobbit666

@jaredbusch said in Re-organizing cable management for client. Need help.:

@hobbit666 never do anything permanent like this

Its not permanent just snip the cable lol

EddieJennings

@hobbit666 said in Re-organizing cable management for client. Need help.:

@jaredbusch said in Re-organizing cable management for client. Need help.:

@hobbit666 never do anything permanent like this

Its not permanent just snip the cable lol

Just snipping the cable seems easy until you make a mistake and slice the cable. When I have to do cable management, I'm 100% on the velcro strip train. Nylon cable ties have always ended up being a pain for me.

hobbit666

Yeah i would still use Velcro just thought that was nice to look at.
Maybe if they had a Velcro version.

gjacobse

Could try something like this-