Tell me more ×
Server Fault is a question and answer site for professional system and network administrators. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote -2 down vote favorite

I manage a server room with approx 20 rack servers in two racks. I find all kinds of videos and such on how to manage the network cabling. That is fine, but I would like to see how power cables from the servers are managed in a neat fashion.

share|improve this question
2  
reddit.com/r/cableporn – ceejayoz Feb 7 at 19:56

closed as not constructive by Michael Hampton, TheCleaner, Jacob, Chopper3, Zoredache Feb 7 at 20:18

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

3 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

...the same as any other cable?
Shortest distance to the side of the rack, strap it down, then shortest distance to the termination point strapped every 3/6/9/12 inches (depending on personal style).

Typically you put the power cable (AC) on the opposite side of the rack from data cabling (DC) to avoid interference. Which side is data versus power is decided by where the bulk of your power connectors are.

Extra style points for using special-length power cables (so you don't have to make cable loops / bundles to take up slack)

enter image description here
This guy did a pretty nice job (except his power and data cables are mixed)

share|improve this answer
Hmmm... Nice wood/laminate floor. Where is this rack? – joeqwerty Feb 7 at 20:03
@joeqwerty Dunno, grabbed the first decent-looking back-of-rack shot that showed power cables from /r/cableporn :-) – voretaq7♦ Feb 7 at 20:04
1  
I see zip-ties, so someone needs to be set on fire and pushed out a window. – HopelessN00b Feb 7 at 20:09
@HopelessN00b He has velcro too - maybe he's converting away from his heathen ways? – voretaq7♦ Feb 7 at 20:13
1  
@syneticon-dj personally if I have to service a system it's uncabled and pulled from the rack. Datacenters are LOUD (like "OSHA Hearing Protection Required" Loud), and too hot/cold depending on which side of the racks you're on. It's much nicer to work on the machine at a bench. – voretaq7♦ Feb 7 at 20:17
show 3 more comments
up vote 2 down vote

Cable management arms. Simple as that.

share|improve this answer
4  
Insert obligatory flame-war starting comment about arms-versus-no-arms here. – voretaq7♦ Feb 7 at 20:01
4  
Cable management arms are made from demon wings dipped in steel, Do Not Want. – TheCleaner Feb 7 at 20:07
up vote 1 down vote

Arrange the cables so that they don't block airflow and can easily be removed/replaced/added. The rest will fall into place.

share|improve this answer
+1 for not blocking airflow (or equipment removal/servicing) - this is the most important consideration. Pretty is usually a byproduct of good airflow. – voretaq7♦ Feb 7 at 20:04
Thanks! Back when I used to rack a decent amount of hardware (sysadmin at an ISP), I'd even usually skip cable management arms because they sort of missed the point - if you're wiring for constant server movement, you're doing something wrong. – tristan Feb 7 at 22:32
Fortunately during my ISP days we had a strong Datacenter Operations team (2 guys, but they were good) who handled the racking and cabling. When it's a dedicated team who do almost entirely cabling you get awesome work. – voretaq7♦ Feb 7 at 22:40

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.