Tips for physically moving a network to another site 2

[Xaqte]

My employer has recently acquired a new facility, and we have a month to move everything. Various committees have been established to organize & plan different areas of responsibility for the move. I've been appointed head of the Technology committee, and seeking any advice/experience in moving an entire network. Anything is appreciated... packing, prioritizing, etc.

Thanks,

X

 

[chiph]

Get some very large ziplock bags (about 1 ft by 2 ft). They'll hold keyboards, cables, etc, and you can write what system they go with on there with a Sharpie marker.

The key will be being organized. Remember the "Anal-Retentive Chef" skit from Saturday Night Live? You'll need to be something like that.

For every rack, set aside a large box, labelled with the rack number. For each piece of equipment in the rack, set aside at least one baggie, labelled with the rack number and equipment ID.

Locate all the spare nuts (the ones that fit into the square holes for mounting stuff) and other small parts for the rack (including the keys if it's a locking rack), put them in a baggie, and put the baggie in the box. For every piece of equipment in the rack, locate all it's accessories, manuals, etc. Put them in a baggie, and put it in the box. On the day of the move, take each bag out and put that device's cables in the bag. Put it back in the box. When the rack is empty, move the rack, the equipment, and the box all together. ;-)

If you care, you can wrap your smaller rack-mount stuff in old towels to prevent them from being scratched up during the move. Use blue painters tape to hold the towel closed, and mark the rack number on the tape.

Chip H.


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If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[chiph]

With regard to the wiring: Check with your lease. If the lease doesn't say that you have to remove it, you can just cut the ends off the wires and stuff them into the wall/ceiling, etc. Otherwise you'll have to pull all the wire out after leaving. Or hire someone to do it.

In the new facility, you'll want to check that the power is wired correctly. Buy an outlet tester at Radio Shack or Home Depot, and plug it into every 120v outlet in the whole place. It only takes one mis-wired outlet to ruin your day.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Xaqte]

Thanks for your replies, chiph! The zip loc bags & the sharpie marker are a great idea, as well as being anal retentive. I was actually a little more concerned with the 30+ workstations. There has got to be a better idea ranther than boxing each one up. Let me remind you I have a committee, and can ask for a reasonable amount of people to help me. I'm pretty set for the site we are moving into. It was previously leased by our areas leading ISP company & all wiring was left intact (just need to trace cables). Looking forward to anyone's response!

X

 

[chiph]

For moving the user's PCs, just give them the bags and tell them to put the mouse, keyboard, and cables in there. Moving the monitor and system unit afterwards can be done like anything else. Just have them put their name on everything using the blue painter's tape, so that everything ends up in the correct place.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[GlenJohnson]

Keyboards and mice are fairly cheap nowadays. Might be a good time to look into replacing them if they've been around a while. Q-tips and cleaner work for cleaning mice, but with the price, I go for replacing them. I've seen mice and keyboards for under $5, so depending on the budget, think about it. Just move monitors and systems, give everyone new keyboard and mouse. (They will love you.) You're time is worth money. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
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