Standards for Patching and cabling 1

[t1t5]

I have a task of tidying up our Patch Panels, they are in a shocking state and it is almost impossible to trace cables.
Is there a general standard for the cabling in Patch Panels?
Our cabinets have a mixture of voice and data switches and these have all become entwined.

 

[Trotski]

first shoot the guys who have been doing the patching and then lock the door.

You should have a color code for types of services and some type of horizonal management for the cords.

labling is very important(on the Patch Panels)
in some large sites I use wrap around lables to ID the Phones, this is not so important with a Data Circuit , but good record keeping is the key to having a neat patch field

 

[mikeydidit]

I feel your pain t1t5. I have had to come back and fix what others have did more than I care to mention. It seems most don't understand how easy it is to do it right the first time (with the right knowledge) vs. having to come back and fix it later while in use.

Trotski has you in the right direction. Label everything as you go. It makes it so much neater and easier to work on if you know what is what. If these are not correctly terminated now would be a good time to start somewhat fresh. Add new patch panel (Maybe at the top of the rack) move the ones under it up to it and punch them down correctly. You can move them one at a time, so it is not that disruptive to the users. Label as you go.

Use different colors for voice and data. Make it easy on you to come back to. Don't think this will be your last trip to this rack, because i promise it won't be. I use front, back and vertical wire management rings and panels on our stuff. Let me know and I can send you part numbers if you are interested.

One last think. Think this out before hand. Lay this out so it is manageable. It will be done right and not a nightmare to work in. The hardest part is getting started.

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas A. Edison

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[mikeydidit]

http://www.geocities.com/mikeydidit2007/pic.JPG

This should give you an idea of what it can look like. These are on the Systamax stuff, but you can do the same using others. This just took time and effort. In an enclosed rack it will be a little tougher to do, but you can still make it look pretty good. Use 1 RU wire management on the fronts (and backs if not wire management is on the panels) to route your cables into. We usually split the cables 12 on each side to run to the ports. Velcro the bundles and it keeps them nice and straight.

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas A. Edison

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594