Pro Audio Equipment

Patch Cables

Cable Management for Networks

Having a network system server room with a properly organized cable system should be the goal of all IT people.  Re-organizing hundreds of tangled network cables is not what would be called an enjoyable task, but unfortunately, it has to be done. It will make troubleshooting network problems easier and present a more professional appearance.

Most server rooms in small or medium businesses are usually built with little or no regard for cable management.  Most server areas probably started out small and expanded as requirements demanded. When problems occur, it can become a troubleshooting nightmare, particularly relating to network connectivity problems.
Here are some simple ways to make professional and organized patch panel:

•    Make a connectivity map. On paper, layout the location of all devices running in your environment and assign a number to each.

•    Use these numbers to tag each device along with their location on your patch panel.

•    Disconnect patch cables going from the patch panel to the switches. Now, route them in an orderly manner as they are re-plugged. If possible, use a color scheme for the patch cables to categorize devices.   For example, Servers use red cables, printers yellow and workstations blue.

•    Use the right lengths of cable – If only a foot-long patch cord is needed, use a foot-long patch cord and not a six-foot one.  But do route cables up and down on the sides of the rack instead of having loads of direct point-to-point wires.

Don't run a direct connection straight across just because you don’t have a longer one in your hand. Get a longer one.

•    Use cable ties and clamps to neaten the network cables coming into the server room.

•    Label the RJ45 jacks in all locations with the same number as on the patch panel in the server room.  The will speed troubleshooting and location tracing.

•    Route all cables to the side of the rack before moving up or down to a switch. This prevents cables from over-lapping other ports and allows you to maintain a clean front panel where you can still reach into the panel to make changes.

The cost of cable management is so little compared to the labor involved in trying to locate a disconnected or broken cable.  Do it right and it will pay off!

About the Author

Donald Daugherty is owner of computerpartsplus.com, an Internet supplier of low cost computer parts and accessories. Quantity discounts are offered on all items.

Gigabit ethernet cables and patch cables?

Hi. I will be getting a wireless router which has Gigabit ethernet ports. I want to get a cable to connect the router to my computer which has full gigabit capabilities. I have been looking around and I have found RJ45 CAT6 Patch cables. I read that CAT6 has gigabit capabilities, but what is a CAT6 patch cable? Is it what I want, bearing in mind that I am a gamer, so i need the best speed.
Thanks
Yes, but the router is wireless, so I can get a better internet speed and connection with other wireless devices on my network.

You can use a Cat5 cable which you may already have for GigE, but Cat5e or Cat6 is recommended. Cat6 carries 1000MbPS; Cat5 carries 100MbPS but when GigE is using it, it changes the usage of the Cat5 cable to carry 1000MbPS. RJ45 refers to the connector.

I don't know that it would help, though; your network is bottlenecked at your internet connection and I doubt that's anywhere near 100MbPS, let alone 1,000.

u-he ACE Tutorial: Patch Cables 101

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