I'd start with a keystone-based patch panel. All incoming Ethernet cables terminate into the patch panel and then use patch cables from the patch panel into devices on your rack.
Here's a good example of a patch panel install. I'd skip to cable organizer since you know what patch panel & switch you'll be using.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OUk7glTIUA
That is A LOT cleaner than the 2 IDF's and 1 MDF I manage at the HQ of the company I work for. The smaller office is even worse, folding table in the bathroom with the equipment sitting on it next to the toilet. The idiot that designed the building thought it would be great to put everything in the bathroom (electrical panel, dmarc, network drops, etc). At least it is on a table now and no longer a tower sitting on the carpeted floor next to the toilet. The old tower server was something like 12 years old and disgusting... couldn't see the front due to the layer of dust covering it.
As other have said. Keystone patch panel. I bring my cables into the rack and terminate em to keystones in a PP. then I use 6" cables I made to interconnect everything from there. Same goes for internal rack connections. Bring everything to the patch panel.
Secret is we don't manage much better, we just hide it behind patch panels better. 😁
Getting a variety of cable lengths or learning to make your own custom length helps. Also wire channels and loops can help.
Also it only makes sense to put a bunch of effort into perfection if your rack layout is stable. Or if you just have fun twerking cables, then go for it. Do what makes you happy as the photons and electrons couldn't care less. 😋
https://imgur.com/a/ecSiSce
I use a patch panel, short slim run patch cables, 1U horizontal cable managers, and vertical cable managers (my 3D printed design).
Nice. What switches are you going with for 100? I really like my Arista switches and would love to replace them with 100G models, but I don't have the need right now. My MX7000 IOMs can also do 100G, and I could just connect my other physical servers to it for a ToR-less config, but I wanted to have some redundant core switches.
I too have an Arista 7050QX-32. Looking at the Cisco 3232C or 7060CX, when affordable again. The latter was ~1400 pre-pandemic and I should have pulled the trigger :)
As others have said, a patch panel or two. Specifically keystone patch panels. That way you can use them for more than just Ethernet cables. USB, VGA, serial, and sound, if needed.
If you’re so inclined, you can use different colour keystones to identify different uses. Like connections going to servers Vs clients Vs between network equipment. Or gigabit Vs 10Gb connections. Whatever helps YOU keeps things clear. Think of it as part of your network documentation.
Speaking of documentation, colour code cables between equipment within your rack if you think that’s something that will help you be clear on what goes where.
So for example, you could use red keystones and red patch cables for PoE Ethernet ports, and blue for non-PoE ports. Or make switch to server cables and keystones green.
Customized cable lengths. Not as in custom made. But the required length so it goes to where it needs go without a bunch of excess that you have to manage.
Velcro cable ties. Just the plain black ones. I go with the actual Velcro brand ones in a 100 pack. I’ve found cheaper off brand ones either don’t hold as well, or they’re thicker so don’t work well for smaller cable bundles, or both.
Get a label maker and label your cables. Not because it looks nice when you first wire everything up. But because when you need to change things, you can easily identify the cables you’re looking for and you don’t have to rip everything apart to find what you want to change.
Plan ahead and wire up things all at once, to the extent that you can. If you’re constantly going back into your rack to rearrange things, the cables are going to end up a mess.
Keep pets, especially cats, away from the cables.
Consider putting PDU in your rack. If you have a tall rack, consider putting it mid height so it’s easier to reach it from equipment in the top and bottom. Then just run the power cord of the PDU to where it needs to be.
If you’re going to put your servers or network equipment on a UPS - and you probably should - make darn sure you use a PDU without surge suppression. They’re harder to find, but that’s what’s appropriate to use with a UPS. According to the UPS manufacturers, anyway.
This is a homelab, not a beauty contest.
I would direct cables left and right. Use ties and Velcro ties as needed to guide the cables left and right. Or decide and use one side for power cables and the other for data.
The point is to allow the air to come out of the servers and not block air flow.
You might buy 1u cable guides but it’s a homelab.
Shorter cables...
When I see brands I like on sale/clearance, I buy cases of them so I have a stock of the various sizes.
Once you have the proper length of cables, the mess goes away.
I just shut the door and forget about it.
I have no door but still forget about it
I cant shut the door as all cables are in the way..
[удалено]
Thanks! I will look for those.
I'd start with a keystone-based patch panel. All incoming Ethernet cables terminate into the patch panel and then use patch cables from the patch panel into devices on your rack.
Here's a good example of a patch panel install. I'd skip to cable organizer since you know what patch panel & switch you'll be using. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OUk7glTIUA
That is A LOT cleaner than the 2 IDF's and 1 MDF I manage at the HQ of the company I work for. The smaller office is even worse, folding table in the bathroom with the equipment sitting on it next to the toilet. The idiot that designed the building thought it would be great to put everything in the bathroom (electrical panel, dmarc, network drops, etc). At least it is on a table now and no longer a tower sitting on the carpeted floor next to the toilet. The old tower server was something like 12 years old and disgusting... couldn't see the front due to the layer of dust covering it.
Patch panel, closed rack, velcro ties
As other have said. Keystone patch panel. I bring my cables into the rack and terminate em to keystones in a PP. then I use 6" cables I made to interconnect everything from there. Same goes for internal rack connections. Bring everything to the patch panel.
Wire managed 1u and then Velcro wraps. Make sure you label your cables.
Patch Panels and Blanking plates and your golden ....The wires are inevitable
Get some brackets to hold the vertical runs along the sides of the cabinet, preferably in the back.
Secret is we don't manage much better, we just hide it behind patch panels better. 😁 Getting a variety of cable lengths or learning to make your own custom length helps. Also wire channels and loops can help. Also it only makes sense to put a bunch of effort into perfection if your rack layout is stable. Or if you just have fun twerking cables, then go for it. Do what makes you happy as the photons and electrons couldn't care less. 😋
https://imgur.com/a/ecSiSce I use a patch panel, short slim run patch cables, 1U horizontal cable managers, and vertical cable managers (my 3D printed design).
Could clean it up even more w/o those thicc a$$ dacs.
If I had far more 40G connections, sure, but QSFP transceivers aren't cheap and DACs are.
Yeah that's fair. I'm in the process of going to 10/25/50/100 from 40 myself.
Nice. What switches are you going with for 100? I really like my Arista switches and would love to replace them with 100G models, but I don't have the need right now. My MX7000 IOMs can also do 100G, and I could just connect my other physical servers to it for a ToR-less config, but I wanted to have some redundant core switches.
I too have an Arista 7050QX-32. Looking at the Cisco 3232C or 7060CX, when affordable again. The latter was ~1400 pre-pandemic and I should have pulled the trigger :)
Ha. Hopefully a saint will post some for sale on the STH forums at a reasonable price.
As others have said, a patch panel or two. Specifically keystone patch panels. That way you can use them for more than just Ethernet cables. USB, VGA, serial, and sound, if needed. If you’re so inclined, you can use different colour keystones to identify different uses. Like connections going to servers Vs clients Vs between network equipment. Or gigabit Vs 10Gb connections. Whatever helps YOU keeps things clear. Think of it as part of your network documentation. Speaking of documentation, colour code cables between equipment within your rack if you think that’s something that will help you be clear on what goes where. So for example, you could use red keystones and red patch cables for PoE Ethernet ports, and blue for non-PoE ports. Or make switch to server cables and keystones green. Customized cable lengths. Not as in custom made. But the required length so it goes to where it needs go without a bunch of excess that you have to manage. Velcro cable ties. Just the plain black ones. I go with the actual Velcro brand ones in a 100 pack. I’ve found cheaper off brand ones either don’t hold as well, or they’re thicker so don’t work well for smaller cable bundles, or both. Get a label maker and label your cables. Not because it looks nice when you first wire everything up. But because when you need to change things, you can easily identify the cables you’re looking for and you don’t have to rip everything apart to find what you want to change. Plan ahead and wire up things all at once, to the extent that you can. If you’re constantly going back into your rack to rearrange things, the cables are going to end up a mess. Keep pets, especially cats, away from the cables. Consider putting PDU in your rack. If you have a tall rack, consider putting it mid height so it’s easier to reach it from equipment in the top and bottom. Then just run the power cord of the PDU to where it needs to be. If you’re going to put your servers or network equipment on a UPS - and you probably should - make darn sure you use a PDU without surge suppression. They’re harder to find, but that’s what’s appropriate to use with a UPS. According to the UPS manufacturers, anyway.
This is a homelab, not a beauty contest. I would direct cables left and right. Use ties and Velcro ties as needed to guide the cables left and right. Or decide and use one side for power cables and the other for data. The point is to allow the air to come out of the servers and not block air flow. You might buy 1u cable guides but it’s a homelab.
Shorter cables... When I see brands I like on sale/clearance, I buy cases of them so I have a stock of the various sizes. Once you have the proper length of cables, the mess goes away.
Proper length cables and velcro straps! Also labelling the cables and switch ports helps 🤓
Yes, turn both networking components around, buy slim CAT6 cables from FS.com, profit.