Businesses have gradually come to rely on convenient and vast digital landscapes. The transition of uploading business content online has led many companies to utilize a data center space or construct their own.

Data centers are comprised of numerous server racks that are crucial to workplace efficiency. Proper data center design and server rack applications are necessary to promote center productivity. CableWholesale has a list of effective tips for optimal server rack installation so your data center can thrive.

What Is a Server Rack?

Server racks are designed to house technical hardware. Routers, hubs, switches, and servers are among the popular IT equipment that server racks support. Server racks maximize the number of pieces of equipment that can be stored within a room.

Server racks’ importance to business has increased as the use of data centers has gained popularity. The better quality of installation for a server rack, the more confident a company can be in its ability to function effectively. There are many benefits to a high-quality server rack, such as:

• Organization – Tall server racks can harbor a useful number of IT hardware items in one spot. Commonly, tall server racks are installed in long rows for easy navigation and optimal floor space.
• Wire management – Server racks make cable management easier. With an organized server rack, tons of powerful essential wires can efficiently perform at once. Well-managed wires also improve workplace safety.
• Efficient cooling – IT equipment often runs hot because of how many tasks they are running. Server racks are structured to maximize airflow that keeps this substantial hardware cool, reducing the risk of a data center outage.
• Security – Server racks offer an added layer of security because they are often supplied with locks. Their sturdy metal composure and locks curtail any unwarranted or unauthorized access. Doors on server racks prohibit accidental interactions that could cause data loss issues.

Choose the Right Type of Rack

Because server racks are so critical to data centers functioning properly, it is especially important to consider which type of rack best suits the data center. There are numerous server rack designs to choose from on the tech market, designed to suit various sized and shaped equipment. These designs fall into three primary categories of server racks.

The Three Primary Types of Racks

1. Open frame racks – Open frame racks do no have walls or doors. They are merely a frame for containing servers and other IT equipment. This type of rack is beneficial for buildings that require easy and frequent access to the servers. They do not, however, provide physical protection against human error or unauthorized users, nor do they prioritize airflow.
2. Rack enclosures – Also known as rack cabinets, enclosures have removable side panels, removable front and rear doors, and adjustable posts. Because of its ample airflow, a rack enclosure is ideal for hardware that gets especially hot and has higher wattage. High-density data centers often enlist the support of rack enclosures for their equipment.
3. Wall-mount racks – As their name indicates, wall-mount racks get attached to a wall. They are convenient because they save floor space and can be placed where other server racks cannot. Since they are mounted, they typically cannot support as much weight as open frame racks or enclosures.

Server Rack Room Considerations

There is a lot of planning that goes into server rack room layouts. Certain equipment and room designs should be considered when prepping for a successful installment.

Equipment Found in a Server Rack Room

The following IT hardware and accessories can be found in a well-rounded server rack room:

• Server racks
• Computer servers
• Routers and switches
• Network cabling
• Cable management equipment

Room Design Specifications

A high-functioning server room usually has specific design aspects, including:

• Environmental control to manage temperature and humidity
• Fire suppression system
• Physical security
• Abundant power sources

Separate the Rack From Employees

If your data center allows, it is best to locate server racks away from employees. When workers and equipment are in proximity, the risk of hardware and cables getting bumped or employees tripping over them increases. Not only is this a hazard to employees, but it also poses a significant risk to the costly equipment. Plus, server rack heat and noise can be aggravating for nearby employees.

Human Error and Server Racks

Human error is a common cause of data center issues. Improper or accidental interaction with server racks can lead to a major loss of important information fostered by the equipment in the rack. Fortunately, there are some useful tips for optimal server rack installation that diminish the risk of human error in your data center:

• Shield emergency “Off” buttons
• Create a proper procedure guide for working with the server rack and its equipment
• Properly label the components
• Consistency in operations
• Routine training
• Strict “no food or beverage” policy for the server rack room

Incorporating a Power Distribution Unit

A PDU, or power distribution unit, assures a clean and steady stream of electricity to the server rack. It is essential to choose a PDU that is dependable per your racks’ electricity needs. Overlooking a quality PDU may result in an unfortunate power surge for your data center.

Labels, Labels, Labels

Any time new IT materials are added to the server racks, be sure they are labeled. This will prevent equipment from being hooked up improperly and enable quick identification of tech items. When in a pinch, labels can save you lots of time.

Cable Organization Is Key

Labeling is a huge help in cable organization, but there is still more you can do in your server rack room to ensure that your server rack wires remain tidy during and after installation. Zip ties and other bundling materials are popular options for cable management.

Attempt to run the cables along the edges of the server racks’ posts when able. Neat cables make your server racks look pleasant while also decreasing the risk of equipment damage.

Plan for Growth

When having your server racks installed, consider your company’s expectations. Does your server rack room allow for more equipment should your needs expand? Can the equipment process your expected business? It may be worth investing in tech materials that account for future company growth to avoid running into further issues down the line.

Here at CableWholesale, our team of professionals strives to satisfy our customers with highly esteemed digital accessories. Our abundant inventory covers everything from 150 ft Ethernet cables to fiber optic equipment and HDMI add-ons, making it the ideal spot for your server rack accessory needs. Peruse our website to learn just how much we offer or to get in touch with one of our tech professionals for assistance.

Many companies prefer the advantages of a wired network over a wireless one. The more devices that a business must relay connection to, the larger the network system should be. Larger businesses often must rely on an abundance of cables to properly connect all their equipment.

To have a reliable and successful system, you must have well-organized cables. The cable structure of your network is going to be highly influential to connectivity and any issues that arise. When establishing cables in your workspace, consider these common structured cabling mistakes to avoid.

Insufficient Planning

Like most other organizational setups, planning for optimal structure cables is key. When comprehensive planning is overlooked, necessary cable management details are at risk of not getting sorted.

Aimlessly laying down cables can also increase safety hazards. Determine which locations within your workspace are safe and appropriate for the number of cables required for your network. Sufficient planning will save you excessive inconveniences and stress.

Lacking Labels

An abundance of cables requires an abundance of labeling. It is easy to get wires mixed up when you have a large amount at hand. Labels prevent wasted time and effort by streamlining cable identification. Labels are also crucial to avoiding incorrect connections between cables and ports.

Fortunately, forgetting to label is one of the simple common structured cabling mistakes you can avoid by being proactive. Assemble your cables by color and create tags or stickers to identify wires and ports. Labeling also makes equipment inventory effortless.

Improper Placement and Grouping

It is common for people utilizing cables to let the wires fall as they may. Intentional cable placement is necessary to create a well-structured network system. Neglecting proper cable placement and grouping can be hazardous and become a jumbled inconvenience down the line.

Aligning Network Cables With Electrical Cables

Be sure to set your network cables in a separate location from your electrical cables within the workspace. Designating space for cables with varying purposes is necessary to avoid accidental downtime and data loss. This will also make it easy for any electricians that come to repair electrical issues in the office.

When it comes to effective cable management, CableWholesale’s got you covered. We offer plenty of digital accessories that make organizing abundant cables like our 100-ft HDMI cable effortless. Get in touch with one of our tech-savvy representatives today to discover how you can create a network that looks as efficient as it works.

Cables have advanced to withstand a broad span of adverse conditions. Even so, there are still factors that can influence your cables’ performance. Distance, internet speed, weather, and more should be considered when selecting the right wires for your system setup.

Ethernet cables are essential to wired networks. Whether they are at home or in-office, learn how temperature affects your Ethernet cables. Understanding how temperature influences cable performance can inform a wired network setup that best safeguards cables from unfavorable environments.

Cables and Temperature

Ethernet cables are manufactured with consideration for varying network environments. Shielded cables are made with special insulation materials so they can still perform well in low and high temperatures.

There are many areas at home or work where cables are found and often affected by the rooms’ warmer temperatures. Mechanical rooms, attics, throughout ceilings, and building wall exteriors commonly run wires and experience higher temperatures.

High temperatures can lead to an interrupted connection if the incorrect wire is used within warmer areas of a wired system—a result of attenuation. To employ an Ethernet cable most successful for your network, consider the highest temperatures it can withstand and how hot the environment will get.

Attenuation and Temperature

Attenuation in networking is the ratio of the output power to the input power measured in decibels. When ratios are imbalanced, attenuation results in a loss of network signal in your Ethernet cables.

The more attenuation in a signal, the worse your connection will be. Noise or unwanted energy on a network declines the connection quality and is a dominant cause of attenuation. Long distance and high temperatures also increase the odds of attenuation for your cables.

How Do the Relationships Affect Cable Performance?

Because attenuation is more likely to occur at higher temperatures, it is best to create an environment that has stable temperatures. If the room your wired network is situated in is susceptible to increasing temperatures, make sure to add insulation materials to the room. Insulation can minimize how temperature affects your Ethernet cables, allowing you to create an optimal network setup for your home or business.

Does your network environment’s temperature pose a restraint on your cable selections? At CableWholesale, we have an expansive variety of wires to accommodate your connection’s requirements. Spanning from our outdoor cat6 cable to our cable wraps and sleeves, our inventory includes all cable accessories necessary for optimal cable management.

A reliable network is crucial to a company’s productivity. Successful networks employ the use of different IT hardware and software to function properly. When one piece of equipment malfunctions, you may experience trouble connecting to the network at all.

Ethernets are a vital piece to many business bandwidths. You may be quick to notice when Ethernets are disrupted, as even the slightest interference with the cables can decrease the quality of your network connection. CableWholesale understands the importance of each piece of a network, which is why we thought it would be helpful to share our tips for troubleshooting faulty Ethernet cables.

Connection Fluctuates

A telltale sign of a defective Ethernet cable occurs when connection waves in and out. If the router light indicating Ethernet plug-in is not lit up even though an Ethernet cable is connected, there is either an issue with the router or cable.

Confirm that the Ethernet cable is plugged in correctly. If proper adjustments do not lead to a quality connection, you are likely dealing with a cable that needs replacement.

Connection Is Slow

Inadequate cables can reveal themselves in the form of slow connection. Assess all your running cables to ensure none of them are damaged.

Bent cables that are interrupting connection can sometimes be fixed simply by straightening the cable. A tear in the Ethernet cable is typically more dire because there is a greater risk that the internal wire has been compromised. Damaged internal wires can cause a short circuit and may require new equipment.

Connection Reestablished by Moving the Cable Around

Do you rotate or wiggle your Ethernet cable to restore connection? Finagling cables around to reconnect with your network is not reliable and is often a sign of broken wires.

Disconnected internal wires can be the result of too much weight, pressure, or bending. Good cable management and organization accessories can help prevent cables from prematurely breaking.

If these tips for troubleshooting faulty Ethernet cables don’t seem to reestablish a quality connection, there is a chance that your issue lies beyond the wires. Sometimes, connection problems are greater than a malfunctioning Ethernet cable. If you are continually replacing your cables, evaluate the performance of the rest of the network before replacing any more equipment.

From 20 ft Ethernet cable bundles to 200 ft Ethernet cable bundles, CableWholesale has a wide assortment of cable lengths for network systems of all distances. Protect your wires with our cable management products and other digital accessories.