Mistakes To Avoid When Running Network Cables

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.