Cabling

   

Color coded network cables have been used in the data center for a long time now. The colors make it easier to identify and locate configurations, as well as assist in quickly resolving simple problems. For example, a blue cable may indicate a connection to a maintenance network while a red cable may indicate a connection to the network service provider and be one of the main connections to the internet. But what happens when you run out of the particular color cable that you need at 2 AM? What do you do about fiber cables that aren't as simple to get in a variety of colors?

An alternative to the use of color coded cables is the use of color cable ties. The cable ties can be used either to adhere the labels to the cable, or it can simply be attached to the ends. The various colors of the cable ties help to identify the type (and use) of the cable, just like the color coded cables, and it seems to work surprisingly well. An added benefit is that it is possible to stock a huge amount of various colors of cable ties in a very small amount of space, especially when compared to the space needed and additional planning necessary to stock color cables.

If you have to stock five different length network cables in eight different colors, you'd need 40 sets of cables stocked and available at any time. With the color cable ties you'd need only five sets of cables and eight bags of cable ties.

Cable labeling should not be ignored. A cable should never be installed that isn't labeled on both ends. This is true for network, FCAL, SCSI and even many power cables. While this seems obvious, it is surprising how many shops don't do this. Tracing cables in the middle of the night in the midst of a crisis is not fun!

Cables for storage devices should also be labeled. It should be readily apparent where each cable on the system is supposed to be in the event the cable is removed and is replaced later.

A labeling scheme should be developed that incorporates the most important details. An example of the types of information to include on a network cable label would be the port number on a switch, the switch in use, the port on the server, and the size of the subnet. Information to include on a storage cable would the server attachment device information and the storage device, and the storage device's attachment device information.

Cables should always be secured so that they do not end up resembling a huge pile of spaghetti. If the cables are neatly secured in bundles, there is a much greater opportunity that the cable can be identified quickly and simply.

Velcro makes a very functional tie wrap, especially when working with cables in racks. Because it is easy of use for both securing and removing cables, it is quite nice for large cable bundles.

   


Enterprise Data Center Design and Methodology
Enterprise Data Center Design and Methodology
ISBN: 0130473936
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 142
Authors: Rob Snevely

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