Cable Management Solutions

In a data center facility, cables deliver power and connect networked devices. However, some organizations forget that cables should be maintained as carefully as the servers, routers, and other hardware.

Why Is Cable Management Important?

What is cable management, and why is it necessary for all data center facilities? It starts with efficiency — data center equipment needs sufficient connections for the best performance and uptime percentage. But if you add cables haphazardly and fail to tidy them up, a data center starts to get tangled. Without proper cable management, the issue can also become a safety hazard as loose cables on the floor can cause trips and falls.

Taking cable management seriously makes future equipment installations, maintenance and troubleshooting easier to accomplish.

Cable Management Tips

If you’re looking for tips for cable management, start with these pointers:

• Open-frame equipment racks and enclosure cabinets are among the best ways to hide and secure cables with mounted IT equipment.
• For cable runs, options include ladder-style cable racks, fiber troughs and braided sleeving.
• Beyond the physical infrastructure, DCIM software can help track and monitor the many connections that cables make throughout your facility space.
• Document your cable installations and instructions for setup. For panels and ports, take note of the types of physical connectors available so you can be sure you’re selecting compatible equipment for the future.
• Use clear visualizations of the infrastructure to stay organized.
• If you utilize colored tape or coded labels, keep a legend and avoid overcompressing cable bundles during installation.
• Ensure that no cables are blocking the air ventilation grids on your equipment which can accelerate dust buildup and lead to overheating.
• Avoid excessive bending of cables to prevent damage and loss of efficiency. If space constraints require sharp bends, consider using cables that resist bend loss.
• Keep cables out of direct sunlight and free from moisture and condensation.

Designing Your Network Around Your Cables

While cable management is crucial for a safe, efficient data center, no two locations are laid out alike. Some professionals opt for routing cables under a raised floor, and others will vote for running them overhead, out of the way of cool air.

When planning your data center, always account for the building structure, HVAC systems, network configuration and power requirements. In addition, there are many more variables like cable lengths and bandwidth requirements, the use of either copper or fiber materials and the number of cables you need. Situations like these can benefit from consulting services to make sure industry best practices are followed.

Contact DataSpan’s Data Center Cable Management Experts

When you’re considering professional cable management services, rely on DataSpan. We’re experts in structured cabling infrastructure and future-proofing your unique network so it can scale with new equipment. Call us or request more information online about our data cabling solutions. You can also find your nearest DataSpan representative today.