To make sure that your racks are organised, you will first need to consider rack cable management. When racks are not properly organised, they do not run at their full capacity. There is a far greater risk of mistakes and there is also an increased risk of equipment failure, as airflow is better distributed within enclosures.
Proper cable management will help ensure that cables are organised in a way that protects data more effectively. As such, managing cables should be a primary concern when it comes to racking hygiene.
To help you ensure better performance of your racks, here are a few cable management tips to keep in mind.
The first step is to organise your cables properly. You will need to look at each cable accessory to determine which accessory works with specific equipment. When there are multiple racks or enclosures, you will need to set a standard to be sure that you have a set standard in place for the management of every cable. Velcro is far more effective to bundle cables than zip ties, as they can easily be removed as needed. You will need to separate cables in some cases to reduce signal interference. Cables should not be run across the inside of racks or enclosures and should rather be run vertically up the side, and then over the top. Cables should never block equipment. This can result in overheating, which, in turn, can cause damage to equipment.
Labelling and tagging cables are the best ways to keep things organised and make it easy to troubleshoot in the event of problems. You will need a set standard for labelling and tagging across every single cable to avoid confusion. It is helpful to group and organise cables for servers, routers and other equipment according to a colour code. Clear hard copy and online documentation of inventory, IP addresses, methodologies, serial numbers, and device roles will be very useful, as will diagrams posted on the sides of each rack or enclosure. Front and back photographs of each rack or enclosure can also be useful.
Safety is essential for data integrity and to avoid equipment problems. It is also important to avoid injury to your employees. Make sure that only designated employees can access racks and enclosures. Unless cables are actively used or needed, they should be removed. Loose cables can be very dangerous. Cables should be shorter to avoid problems arising from long cables able to twist and get in the way. Dangling cables are never a good idea, either. Cables should not be able to bend too much. Cables should be properly installed, with secured plugs, protection from sharp objects, and adherence to industry compliance.
These tips are designed to help you ensure that cable management for racks is done according to best practices, for optimal efficiency.
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