Tech Tip: How to Dress Cables to Optimize Switch Performance in Your Network Cabinet

Chatsworth Products (CPI) newly redesigned N-Series TeraFrame® Gen3 Network Cabinet addresses the unique airflow requirements of the switch to keep hot and cold air completely isolated from each other. 

Another central concern of this design was to include robust cable management with extra space along both sides of the cabinet for network cables.

To that end, it is very important to organize patch cords so that they do not block airflow into the switch. With switches that use front-to-rear airflow, patch cords can exit both sides of the switch and are managed along the sides of the cabinet.

For switches that have side airflow, patch cords must be managed so that they do not block inlet airflow along the right side of the switch. Patch cords must be routed to the left side or up and down, and then over using rack-mount horizontal cable managers, so that inlet airflow is not blocked.

Another consideration is ensuring proper access to hot swappable switch modules, like the fan trays. Do not to block fan trays or other modules with cable connections. 

Instead, consider using additional horizontal managers and jumper trays to route cables from one side of the cabinet to the other to avoid blocking airflow.

For more information on CPI’s ultimate network cabinet, go here.

Raissa Carey, eContent Specialist