When you are installing a new network rack, it is important not to let technical details override your own common sense. Of course, you must comply with electrical codes and BICSI standards. You should also be considerate of the staff who will be using the new network rack; keep an open line of communication and make sure that everyone who will be affected is well informed of the plan. We don’t want to overwhelm the client with too much information, either. After all, they have another job to do. With that in mind, though, remember that communication is always an important element of a successful installation.
Now that you have the basics, let’s turn to some tips on how to install a new network rack.
- Choose the right location. In most cases, you will be using a closet or server room. It is important to have space for movement behind the rack. Instead of placing the rack up against the wall or in a corner, it is better to locate it in the center of the room, leaving space for the IT staff to move behind the rack. The location that you choose should also have plenty of studs that are strong enough to provide a solid anchor for your rack. Don’t mount the rack into drywall. You never know when someone will set a heavy box or something on top of the rack, and you don’t want the rack to pull out of the wall and tip over when that happens. It also helps to mount a back board on the wall to help distribute the weight of the rack. Attach a piece of plywood to the wall by drilling into the studs. Then you can use paddle bit drill mount holes to attach the rack, anchoring the rack to the back board with toggle bolts.
- When you run the new cable, give yourself a bit of extra length to work with. We know that nobody wants to waste cable. However, there is a happy middle ground between pulling the exact length that you need and pulling a big, sloppy mess of extra cable. Put a six foot service loop in the ceiling or mount it in the wall. This gives you a little extra space to work in the future. At some point, the network will expand. This extra loop of wiring will not go to waste; it will definitely come in handy at some point in the future. Leave some extra space at the workstation and jack areas, too; when it’s time to service them, you’ll be glad to have that extra bit of cable.
- Keep it clean. When you are finishing up the network rack installation, it is essential that you finish well by using cable management and installing a neat, organized rack. There are tons of cable management options that will make your rack easy to work with. When you are done, run certification reports on each wire that you have pulled. This gives the client peace of mind and shows that the new system is trustworthy and professional.
These three tips will help you to install a new network rack that is organized and reliable. To learn more about organizing a data center, get in touch with the pros at SEGI Sales Pros. We provide network cabling solutions, and we have all the products that you need to create the highest quality data center and network rack. Contact SEGI Sales Pros to learn more about the options today.