Data Center Cabling Best Practices – Part 2
As discussed in Part 1, even though it is an important task, computer cable management is typically overlooked and neglected. Proper management will save your company’s resources, including time, money, and effort. Part 2 will cover the best practices of data center cabling management.
Installation
Documentation – Record types of cables utilized, along with their locations and connections to ease maintenance and troubleshooting.
Future Proofing – Ensure the system is capable of handling system requirements in the foreseeable future. For example, cable trays and racks should be designed to accommodate expansion.
Measure Accurately – Ensure each cable is of the proper length. Measuring accurately will prevent downtime caused by loose wires becoming disconnected or tangled.
Testing & Certification – Ensure infrastructure is working properly and is capable of supporting your bandwidth and system requirements.
Organizational
· Cables should be run along the sides of server racks to ease the addition or removal of servers from shelves.
· Cables should be bundled together so they can conveniently connect to the next item of equipment on the floor of a data center with elevated floors or upwards to the ceiling in a data center with wires that are run through the ceiling.
· Installation of hardware should be planned in advance. When cabling is disorganized, it may restrict the circulation of air and prevent adequate cooling. Proper planning will prevent the damage caused by overheating.
· Both ends of a cable should have a secure label to ease identification. This will make locating cables for MACs (moves, additions, and changes) much easier, saving time, money, and effort.
· Cables should be color coded to make their identification faster. Select a color scheme that is a fit for your team. Posting a legend explaining the meanings of colors in terms of cable designation in several areas of a data center will also ease MACs.
References
Below are two references that are used for proper cabling installation and management for data centers from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), a body accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI).
· ANSI/TIA-942-B-2017 Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers
· BICSI 002-2019 Data Center Design Implementation & Best Practices
Founded in 1986, Progressive Office’s success has been a direct result of years of commitment to seeking cost-effective solutions. Working together, Progressive teams are committed to getting your data cabling, access control, and telecom systems installed and operating while minimizing disruption and downtime. Call our toll-free number (800) 614-4560 today.
