critique this rack setup

[Mucman]

24 port patch panel 2u
24 port patch panel 1u
Nordx/CDT cable management panel 1u
24 port patch panel 1u
24 port patch panel 2u
free space for future expansion (~6u)
Cisco 7200 VXR
Cisco 3600 (firewall IOS)
Cisco 2948
1u panduit cable management panel
Cisco 2924
Cisco 2924
1u panduit cable management panel
Cisco 2924 (not being used yet)

I am planning on setting it up in the order I have written. Do you see any glaring flaws for future expandability, or problems with cable management?

 

[ScottMac]

I don't see any problem with it. You may want to consider either a "pass-through" panel for the equipment that has the connections in the back (like the 3600), so that all connections/cross-connects are in the front (give you a solid common reference for the DOCUMENTATION of the connections.

With a pass-through, it's basically a panel of barrel connectors. For example, if your 3600 had foour Fast Ethernet ports, you'd run a cable (try to make it 36" or longer, no less than 18") from each of the four ports of the C3600 to the back of the pass-through panel. Label the positions on the front of the panel (Fa0/0, Fa0/1, Fa4/0...etc).

Now, in your documentation, you can reference a jumper from "Panel 1, port 20 ---> Panel 4, Port 3 (Fa0/0)."

It dresses the rack up some too, since you don't have cables emerging from the spaces between the equipment.

Unless you're dealing with an extreme run (at the Catgory cabling limits), the extra barrel connector & jumper shouldn't affect the signal.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[FFC]

How wide is the rack? What provision do you have for vertical cable management? Personally I would locate a patch panel next to a switch, otherwise your vertical cable management becomes a nightmare.

 

[Mucman]

Thanks for the tips... I like the idea of a pass-through!

FFC - We have 19" wide racks. The reason why the switchs are so far apart from the patch panels is because we are limited to 4' long cables (because we have elected to not make custom cables). I am not sure what you mean about "provisions for vertical management" though... On the sides of the rack is
a tray which we will be using velcro straps and cable ties if that is what you mean.

 

[FFC]

OK, are you talking about enclosed cabinets or US style telco racks that bolt to the middle of equipment? Here in Europe we have racks that vary in width from 600mm upwards. All have the 19" rails for attaching kit to. You need extra width in the cabinet to allow cables to run from the top to the bottom of the rack down the side. So a cable comes out of the port on the kit into a cable management bar across to the side of the rack. Then it goes down the rack to the appropriate management bar below the patch panel, across the management bar and into the patch panel port. Does that exlain what I mean? apologies if this is not clear.

 

[Mucman]

Ahh, now I know what you mean... I am guessing ours are the US telco style racks. Our switches and stuff are flush mounted though. This is how a patch cable would be wired on this rack :

| <---- to the patch panel port
_______| <-cable through cable management thingy (are they called bars?)

wire goes along side of the rack. The cables will be tied together with velcro straps which in turn are tied to the racks via zip ties.

|______| <--- the right shows the cable coming down then going horizontaly through a cable management bar and then up to a switch port.

So.... I think we are talking about the same thing , I just don't know the trade lingo.