Cross-Connect Blog

Want to Rack and Stack?! Consider This Best-Practice Approach to Cable Management

November 29, 2018

Motive Cable Management SystemThe pace of deployment for storage continues to increase, while the refresh cycle for compute continues to shorten. How will you support rapid deployment so that racks, power and network are in place when compute and storage is required? 

Consider standardizing on a rack solution to define the critical elements and to simplify the purchasing and deployment process. This principal is especially true for "Rack and Stack" deployments. 

Additionally, consider these cable management guidelines to support quick deployments and ensure network availability. 

Best Practice Approach to Cable Management for Rack and Stack Solutions

  • The basic support solution for a low density application with cable management is an open two post rack with cabling section along both sides of the rack to provide a vertical pathway for premise cable and patch cords. 
  • Cabling sections in between adjacent racks in a multiple rack by must be larger—wider and / or deeper—to support cable from both racks.
  • Open two-post racks provide the most cost-effective and efficient use of floor space, but four-post racks are superior when supporting larger equipment, such as modular network switches that require front and rear support.
  • Two-post racks can be used with rackmount equipment that is less than 20 inches (510 mm).
  • The rackmount width must match equipment requirements.
  • The depth of the rack, especially when selecting a four-post rack, must be carefully considered so that it matches the size of the equipment.
  • The height of the rack also determines the number of rackmount unit (U) spaces on the rack.
  • It is important to pick a height that provides enough overhead space for cable runway or cable trays.

To learn more about cable management best practices, read the full article by Luca Rozzoni, Chatsworth Products' Senior Product Manager for Europe.

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