Cleaning up Network Cabling For Data Centers

Keeping your data center clean and organized while saving energy is easier said than done. Today we can see a wide verity of problems larger older data centers. In most cases it is a simple fact that there is just not enough space and the cooling is not cutting it. So now we have data cabinets that are max out and still need to be kept cool. There are many solutions to these problems, let look at few simple ones.

Freeing up Valuable Rack Space:

To save space network cables on patch panels can be consolidated to 1 RMU 48 port Cat5e or Cat6 instead of the standard 2RMU 48 port Cat5e or Cat6 patch panels that are most commonly used. This is an easy fix that will require talented network cable installers and some down time. To free up more space as the patch panels are being replaced swap out the wire management from 2RMU to a 1 RMU. By making these few small changes you have opened up your rack space by 50%.

Increasing Energy Savings by 24%:

We all know how importunate it is to keep equipment cool and the consumption of power low. Though we know what we want it is in some cases hard to achieve. For example a standard data center with a raised floor, the cooling is pushed through the floor into the data cabinets. Over time the floor become filled with data and power cables restricting the flow to equipment. The restricted flow then increases the temperature causing the cooling system to work harder. Not only is the cooling path restricted by the cabling and other obstructions, there is also a loss of about 34% of cold air because of penetrations and leaks through the floor.

So how do we prevent such wastefulness? The answer is simple, allow the raised floor to do its job and limit the amount of cabling install below the floor. There are many effective cable management systems that can be installed overhead or across the tops of racks.

The first thing is to pre-configure cables as needed. Make a diagram and or map of data center cabling. With labels and proper protection for delicate cabling such as fiber optics you are on your way to becoming organized.

Once you have the cabling in place you can migrate one rack at a time. switching from the cabling currently under the floor to the new properly labeled cables that now run overhead. During the migration process it is always good practice to document which port is being used by what cable for each piece of equipment.

After all data cabinets have been properly migrated the abatement project begins. Slowly dig through the spider web of cables and remove unused and abandoned cables that have accumulation over the years.

professional network cabling tech. Once all the unused and abandoned cables are removed, walk through the room and inspect the floor for gaps, leaks and old penetrations that can be sealed. These are just a few steps that can help reduce the use of energy in you data center.

All together the idea is that you can save energy and re-claim space in your data center. As we all know all is easier said than done but with the proper team a difficult project can be completed with the geatest of ease. Just think if you do it right the first time you will have center that is not only respectable but easy to maintain.