Network cabling is one of the aspects of rack integration that need to be done properly and can be a tricky affair. Gone were the days when people without prior training and knowledge were tasked to run cable by virtue of their main appointments or responsibilities. For instance, electricians and telephone techs were tapped into as resources because they were the go-to as cabling people. However, data and network cabling is less forgiving and cannot tolerate a lot of error. Here are some of the mistakes one should avoid when installing network cables for their servers and racks.

Not adhering to cabling standards

There are more than seven individual wires inside a cabling jacket and it is a bad idea to terminate any of them at random, even if you are consistent between cables or adhere to the original scheme at both ends. Cabling standards are something that needs to be followed as they take into consideration just how the cables are placed in the jacket and twisted. If you deviate from these standards, you risk introducing inefficiency and noise which have a negative impact on the overall network and servers.

Not testing the cabling infrastructure

This is an important step that can't be missed when the cabling is installed. You should ensure that every cable installed is test with the appropriate tools to ensure they are suitable for its intended purpose. This can include verifying the cable specifications and length match your servers' needs. For instance, if you require transmission speeds of up to 1 Gigabyte per second, you will need to verify that the cable's properties will support that capability.

Running cables near fixtures and devices that cause interference

You should keep in mind that noise can be easily introduced onto data cabling compared to conventional electrical wires. Motors and even fluorescent lighting are some of the sources that shed magnetic and electrical interference, and can wreak havoc on your cabling infrastructure. You will have to ensure in the planning stage that the data cable pathway avoids these kinds of hazards.

Not using cable management at all

Including cable management into the main picture is often regarded as something that is optional. Although there are some costs tied to adding ladder racks which are a form of rack-based cable management, it will make ongoing maintenance so much easier to facilitate and handle. You should also keep in mind that cabling work does not stop after the initial installation is completed. You will have to ensure that the cables are labeled properly with color-codes to make cable identification possible and easy later on.

Skimping on climate control

Cables just like the rest of server equipment can be potentially exposed to some level of heat. If this byproduct is not managed well enough, it may quickly lead to catastrophic failure. It is pertinent to maintain even humidity and temperature levels to enable and support a reliable server environment. Hence, you should think about this on two levels. First, you should make sure the room has sufficient heating and air conditioning in general. Second, you should consider getting integrated server rack cooling systems.

Running cables in areas that have high traffic

The area that has the most cables run through it should be kept out of bounds at all times unless it is really necessary to grant an employee or contractor access. You should lock all doors and can even install a combination lock with it.

Rack integration in Redwood City requires a high level of expertise and is far more than a mere mechanical exercise. It is best to leave this integration process in the hands of professionals who possess a multitude of technical expertise to address several issues such as un-interrupted power management, cable management, thermal and environmental management and more.

It may be time for your business to have its own dedicated server for data storage. Perhaps your business is scaling rapidly beyond just a few computers on a wireless access point or you are planning to upgrade an outdated business server you have been using. In any case, your servers are the eyes and ears of your company's networking system, and confidential information will be at stake if it is breached. Hence, you should always study your options well and make your choices based on the budget and needs of your business. If it is time to get a server, here are some of the top tips to pick the ideal one.

Choose a server that utilizes a server-grade operating system

If you are going to purchase a server, do not pick one that is installed with an ordinary operating system that is meant for workstations. The specialized operating system you should go for are made to handle requests from multiple sources as opposed to normal workstation operating systems that handle requests from one person at a time. You will want your own server to be able to handle as much load as possible when everyone in your business is hard at work.

Make sure the server comes packed with remote support

Unless you plan to have someone on your team to manage your business server or to do so yourself, you will want that server's operating system to enable remote access for administrative purposes. This will provide whoever's in-charge with the ability to maintain and manage your system without needing to be physically next to it. You should keep in mind that not all server operating systems are built the same, and when it comes to remote access capabilities for administration, you will have to ensure you pick the one that gives you all the support you need.

Ensure that the server has room for growth

There is the vast availability of top-of-the-line and high end servers in Los Angeles, thanks to advancements in modern technology. You will be able to easily choose one that suits your business today. One of the important places you are most likely to see room for expansion involves the motherboard where more hard drives and memory can be added to give you more storage space in the future. If there is more space for these additions and upgrades, you will not need to change the entire system when it is time to expand.

Get servers that have built-in redundancy

For any small business server, having uptime will be critically important. Simply put, you will want your server to available at all times. This means you will want to seriously consider adding redundant hard drives in the form of a RAID configuration as well as redundant power supplies. Don't be fooled by their names as these power supplies and hard drives are some of the common components that are susceptible to failure. Hence, having redundancy (the same data in two separate places) will be a smart move.

Consider your available space

It is essential to consider where you want to place your business server and how it will be accessed afterwards. If you plan to store it in a closet, will it be on a rack or cart? Rack-mounted servers need to be actually mounted on a rack as opposed to a cart to facilitate optimal ventilation. If you plan to get a traditional tower server, you will have to ensure that it is properly located to prevent your employees from running into it and cause it to power off.

It may seem like a lot to consider at first but with a little research and careful thought, you will be able to choose a server that works best for your business.