A data centre can easily contain up to a few thousand LAN cables, co-axial cables, as well as many network components. It is extremely easy to mess things up with so many connections contained in a single place. It is prudent for every network engineer and data centre engineer to keep the area clean and connections tidy. Here are 6 rules that every data centre engineer has to follow!
Use the same cabling for data and voice whenever possible
Technology is converging and there is a need to simplify network entities. Go for the same cabling for data and voice packets whenever possible. Pure audio cable technology will fall into obscurity in a matter of time and it may be too late, and rushed by then to switch over to data cables. Data cables support both voice and video transfer and are the better choice for cabling.
Plan for the future
Companies expand in manpower and network usage will definitely increase. It is thus important to plan for the future and purchase or install high-end cabling and network components that are able to withstand and process network data connections that are of higher amount than the current usage. Always plan ahead and be ready to cope with increasing demands!
Utilize cable management
Individually labeling over a thousand LAN cables may be a very time-consuming process but it is certainly worth it. Every network engineer will thank themselves for labeling each cable when there is an issue with a specific cable, as the individual can immediately pinpoint and pick out the affected cable by looking at its label. Leaving cables unlabelled is a disaster as the operator will not know which the affected cable is and he or she has to waste time and energy to find the source of the problem. The engineer should also tie a pack of cables together depending on their component. For example, ten LAN cables connected to a router should be tied up, preventing them to be mixed up with another pack of LAN cables that are connected to another router.
Cross data cables with electrical cables
Running data cables in parallel with electrical cables will disrupt the magnetic field in the data cables and cause communication to be garbled and noisy. In a worst case scenario, there will not even be any output! Ensure to cross them in a perpendicular manner, if there is a must to lay data cables near electrical cables.
Follow all laws and Standard-Operating-Procedures
Each country or state has different laws and rules and it is a must to follow them. For example, do not build or place network components near industrial network cables as there might be interference. There is a need to follow these rules, or else the engineer or company will receive a fine if something goes wrong.
Keep your cables away from certain appliances and systems
Power lines and light sources may be a source for interference to data cables as they emit electrical and magnetic noise that causes interference to other electrical appliances and cables.
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