data center cabling and manegment

Basic Knowledge & Tips for Data center Cabling

 

Data Center Cabling Best Practices

Tips for Data Center Cabling Design

Before starting cabling a data center, planning the basic design for the data center is essential.

Using structured cabling—this approach to cabling includes designing cable runs and connections for better data center cable management. And compared with traditional point-to-point cabling, using structured cabling means establishing a main distribution area (MDA), one or several horizontal distribution areas (HDAs), and two-post racks for better access and cable management.

Choosing the right cabling solution—though UTP copper cable is used commonly in data center today, as mentioned above, the need for maximum and future support for higher-speed system is resulting in the installation of more fiber. Fiber optic cabling in data center is becoming a non-negligible option.

Cable routing and design—airflow and cooling issues have become a new challenge in data center cabling design. Cable routing and design can strongly influence and affect airflow design efficiency.

Planning cabling patch ways—it’s one of the most important factors to consider when cabling a data center. The key parameters that affect the cabling pathways are the rack density, type/count/diameter of cables, end equipment cable entry, and room height. All these should be paid attention to.

Data Center Cabling Standards

Industry cabling stands for data centers is to ensure safety and provide the basis for building an integrated infrastructure. At the same time, they also offer guidelines for maintaining high-levels of cable performance for the next several years. There are a number of data center standards for cabling. Here are the three common ones.

 

Data Center Cable Installation & Maintenance

Though fiber optic cabling has distinct benefits compared with copper cable in regard to work performance, improper practices of fiber cabling may lead to bad effect on data transmission. Therefore, we must maintain the best practices when we installing both fiber optic cable and copper cable.Pay attention to fiber bend radius. The bend radius, or measurement of a curve, can determine how strong the data signal will flow. When installing fiber patch cables, don’t bend them beyond its specified bend radius.

Avoid end faces contamination. Debris, dust and oil on your cabling end faces can wreak havoc on your network. This is one of the most common issues when dealing with fiber optic cabling failure. So check the condition of the end face of optical cables carefully.
Keep fiber and copper cable runs separated. Copper cables are heavy and can damage any fiber cables that are placed underneath.
Do not place copper cable near equipment that may generate high levels of electromagnetic interface. Generally locations near power cords, fluorescent lights, building electrical cables, and fire prevention components.
For horizontal and backbone twisted-pair cabling, preserve the same density of twists in the pairs up to its termination.
Apply sufficient vertical and horizontal managers to data center cable management, which can provide convenience for future changes as cables are removed for upgrade or unforeseen downtime events.
Using fiber raceway. Routing path has been clearly defined by the fiber raceway and easy to follow, which can make sure the validity of cabling, as well as reduce congestion in the termination panel.
Using cable labels. Cable labeling makes cabling jobs easier and safer. Label cords with “from and to” location. Clear and intuitive identification eases installation along with moves, adds, and changes. Every cable in your cable room should be clearly labeled so you can trace any faults.
Do not leave loose cables on the floor, which is a major safety hazard. And try to maintain a small stock of the most commonly used fiber patch cables for extra use.