Rack Cabling Project

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⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 Cabling Project Intro
01:20 Parts & Tools we use (Pack Out)
02:23 Low Voltage Cable Support Bridle Rings, & Velcro
03:41 Dressing the Rack & Patch Panel
09:00 Sweeping up
#Lowvoltage #Cabling #StructuredCabling

[@MactelecomNetworks]

Great video. The keystone patch panels are so much easier to work with. Looking forward to more on job videos

[@JasonsLabVideos]

^^ I agree with this man ! Keystones for the win !

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Agreed. Pop them out and move them around when needed.

[@abdullahseba4375]

Not sure what people want to see? EVERYTHING!!!

[@marcthompson7399]

I love your down to earth practical videos, I'm learning so much from your pf sense tutorials they are just great!! I'm an Aussie electrician whom is surrounded daily by many things included in your videos. This video makes me want to share some photos of a few work smarter not harder install tricks that may change your installers lives forever.

[@synacksystems4122]

Great video as always Tom. We also insist on using the blank patch panels as it's better for the client in the long run from a serviceability point of view. If a jack fails, we can easily replace that keystone with one in our kit and not have to replace a whole patch panel if you are out of room on one. I will also say that we go a step further and put a printed version of our port layouts in the rack that is in a plastic sleeve, with extra space to write for move/changes/additions. This not only helps our customers but helps us or any other low voltage tech in the future. Keep up the great work!

[@yougotkevin]

Thank you as always Tom. Got all my gear in Packout boxes - works great and makes it easy to get in and out of jobs. Make sure to sticker/label them with company info though. I have seen more and more contractors using them. Happy Holidays.

[@PictureStrain]

Thank you from Romania, Tom! Some short questions: - Do you have a procedure for labeling cables? I am referring to the notation that you use. - How to properly do cable managment, when you need to use longer patchcords, and what accessories are available and you use for the racks? - A short presentation of the accessories the you use for cable management in the ceiling. Thank you again!

[@BlackEpyon]

For notation, I usually just go by the room number, with a hyphen and number if there's multiple jacks in the room (ie: 201-1, 403-2, etc), that way anybody who comes in can figure out what goes where. Any modern office building will have room numbers, at least on the blueprints, and schools, of course, will have room numbers on the doors. When my school was originally built around year 2000 (I was a student there), they ran two Cat5e cables to each wall plate, with black and blue Keystone jacks in each plate (and didn't label anything, I had to do that myself later 😠) . Black was the student domain, and blue was the teacher workgroup (the servers weren't set up terribly complex, they wanted it to be easy for a teacher to maintain). When I graduated and started doing IT support there, I rebuilt the server-side of the network as a full domain onto a single server, with permissions set up sufficiently to keep students out of teacher files, and developed scripts to automate user creation and folder permissions. Having the black and blue jacks became a redundant vestige at that point.

[@AdamMuhle]

I'd love to see your packout set up!

[@KDFOXSCI]

The tip of sitting down sometimes to keep yourself from getting to tired is an underestimated tip! Thanks a lot!

[@KDFOXSCI]

You can defenitly feel it after a few days on a project.

[@mmdrepairoftheday8362]

Thank you tom. I really like to see more video about cabling network stuff (and even full rack with servers and switches). Thank you for you amazing content.

[@FirstLastOne]

I have made a rule of thumb for dealing with new installs, whatever the customer claims they want or need today, you will need to run a minimum of 20% more runs as you are doing that install. 32 years of experience has taught me that the customer is supposed to be right but has no idea if they are.

[@joshepps77]

Thanks for the great content. It’s always nice to see updates on wiring methods for those of us that don’t do it often and want to try to keep our physical plant looking clean and professional

[@joshlanders8512]

Your videos are always incredibly informative and applicable to many of the day-to-day parts of different IT jobs (to say nothing of the deeper dives into some of the more technical aspects which are very helpful and informative as well). We all like to believe that all of our methods are best practice, but it is NEVER a bad idea to see how someone else does it and pick up little tips and tricks that make things cleaner, more efficient and just overall make us better at our jobs. As always I'm glad I found this channel!

[@packetdog3739]

Hey Tom, thanks for this video. To specifically call out items that I'd like to see covered in a future video- maybe a deep dive on a few aspects of the cabling jobs: - How do you process labeling both ends of the cable during the pull process? I usually write on the cables and the box, and when the pull is done, I cut and write the run number on the cables. I've seen others that print sheets of labels on both. I'd like to see your process. - We usually bundle a 1-2 foot service loop above the rack/cabinet and then go inside. I usually leave some slack inside the cabinet as well, but then how do you get all the cable lengths the same coming out of the front of the rack? I was very intreaged to see you sitting to crimp vs. standing on a ladder in front of the rack. How do you manage that additional slack without creating a mess? Love to hear more about this. Thank you for continuing to create amazing content that helps us all run our IT Businesses. It's appreciated.

[@BlackEpyon]

Velcro ties. Lots and lots of Velcro ties.

[@dimitriskantarakias3334]

Great video

[@AZTrucker]

I always enjoy the content you create. Always educational and provide specifics. Its the attention to detail on do's and don'ts that keeps me coming back. Merry Christmas everyone.

[@awstott]

Milwaukee packout is awesome. I bought the 3 box set - the dolly, the large box, and I think the medium box. So nice to just be able to grab the box you need and not have to lug around evertrhing.

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

DIY Home Rack Build kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5W0eKOBmKeardE How We Do Pricing & Bidding For Structured Cabling Work kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpXOe4WKrN94fdk Networking Tools kit.co/lawrencesystems/lts-network-tool-kit Rack Parts & Cables kit.co/lawrencesystems/homelab-rack-build 00:00 Cabling Project Intro 01:20 Parts & Tools we use (Pack Out) 02:23 Low Voltage Cable Support Bridle Rings, & Velcro 03:41 Dressing the Rack & Patch Panel 09:00 Sweeping up

[@longlost8424]

just a note; if you're using a 24 port switch, you can over n under the patch panels directly to the ports on the switch. yeah, you add another panel plate but in the larger scheme of things, ti really doesn't cost a prohibitive amount of money for the tidy look and future upgrade-ability.....

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Love cabling and rack videos. Merry Christmas from Rochester Hills.

[@jaredsalem5837]

The pack out stuff is really awesome it would be cool to see a video on it it's really nice and overall very well made and it's so nice to be able to change them out very easily

[@themaconeau]

What part of this job would be interesting to me? Yes. 😂

[@gonace]

Love these kind of videos!

[@neo3n3]

Lets see some tool packs

[@ronaldnaeyaert3653]

As always a great and informative video.

[@TomZ23]

4:25 You talk about color-coding. Is there a standard? I just doing a home lab, but was looking around and didn't find any standard color coding for network runs.

[@fecalfetus7902]

Hey wait, I swear i've been in this office before at a small technical conference a couple years ago.

[@BlackEpyon]

Before I became a full time landscaper, I used to to part time IT support at my local school (I did mostly hardware and server administration, my mom specialized in software support). As somebody in the autistic spectrum with a mild OCD, seeing a well-wired rack, or even being a part of that installation when the electricians were pulling cables, is extremely cathartic for me. ❤As far as favourite tools go, you often use what you can get available at a good price, but one tool you must NEVER use, is a small flat-bladed screwdriver in lieu of a 110 punch tool. A proper punch tool isn't that expensive, and a screwdriver will f*** up the blade contacts that bind the wires, and you'll never have a reliable jack. To that end, Keystone jacks are better to use over a pre-built panel if you have the money for it, as bad jacks can be easily replaced. The company who ran the LAN and telephone lines in the school's expansion wings used cheap Chinese all-in-one wall jacks, and I ended up replacing ALL of the ones we had in regular use myself with Keystone jacks, because we had no end of connection problems with those cheap jacks.

[@youtubejelle8497]

Just make video's the same as fiberninja, I absolutely love such deep videos

[@henriklind]

I was about to say the same. I'm interested in almost anything that is layer 1 related, because that is something that you don't se so much about.

[@rickb3288]

Let's hope fiberninja is doing OK.

[@pokeysplace]

Being that I'm always up to learn how other people do things many be a short video on cable labelling. Do you use the P-Touch editor to pre-print all the labels, etc...

[@jordancalhouncom]

One great thing about the new(er) unifi enterprise line of switches is the 24ports are a full single row for better cable management

[@logicawe]

Good content 👍

[@dsterry74]

Show the details. Quick demos are good for an overview, but personally I watch videos like this to actually learn how to do this.

[@azmax623]

I'm trying to get my network engineers to go with short patch cables on the rack instead of using 6ft cables and spacing out the switch and patch panel. I'd put them in this order and use a 1ft patch cable between the panel and switch. wire management Patch panel switch wire management

[@cLokXde]

Really nice video! Am I ask for, maybe not a full video but as a topic, about grounding the devices within the rack? Is it an important point and how should it be realised?

[@viaujoc]

Hi Tom. Very nice video again! 👍 What brand of keystone jacks do you prefer for new installation? I know this is a little like tools, each one has his preference. But I like to hear other cabling professionals opinion. Thanks.

[@Qwazoin]

Please, show power cable management in the rack!

[@mironfs1]

Hi tom, i would like some more videos on populating rack at home (i saw your older videos) im in the process of building house so i will need it soon. I know basics but i miss some know how that you gain when you do that thousands of times. Some tips on wiring, stacking components, what way do you use for cables to enter the rack etc. Thanks!

[@alexandernava9275]

I would love a video on your label printer, and how to properly make labels!

[@buckturgidson9666]

You should be able to find videos on that. Brother P-touch series. It's quite easy, comes with a transport software for USB and WIFI to get your spreadsheets to the printer.

[@alexandernava9275]

@@buckturgidson9666 I was more think labeling guidelines. Like how to label everything so it all makes sense.

[@Rbj4525]

On projects I've been involved in the lead would have us pull cable to locations. I have come across vids where some Techs pull from location to the rack(IDF/MDF). What is your view on this and what is your preference?

[@fairsitetechnologies9813]

How do you keep track of what office ports correspond to which cables? Do you mark them somehow or do you just tone things out once it’s all terminated? Not sure how you keep track of 48 or more cables coming in as a large trunk of wiring prior to termination. Nice vid!

[@Wehelpuglitch]

assuming they label the box and front of the cable. and when they cut they label the back of the cable

[@rick5908]

You lable the cable. You can buy pre numbered or write on. You don't need a type, panel port number system while you are pulling but the plate and rack it's best to do something like DB20 for data panel B port 20. Or PA30 for phone panel A pair/port 30. I hate coming in and finding no labels anywhere or all RJ45 mixed voice and data same plate no color code or lable

[@bigchew3149]

If it Aint Klein It Aint Mine..lol. how many times ya heard that one !

[@alexsevo6]

what is your thought of having a PF sens firewall in forint of a UDM pro , seen people doing it but can't understand why . ITs like wearing dubble dipers

[@abee4447]

Things like IPS IDS are not too good with alot of false positives which is why ppl prefer using pfsense in front and the like.

[@UntouchedWagons]

Do you attach the bundles of cables to the rack somehow or do you just let them sit on top of switches/servers/routers/etc?

[@synacksystems4122]

If you don't have the support trays off the back of the blank keystone patch panels, run a j-hook or d-ring just above the rack and secure with velcro. Will relieve the stress before going into the cabinet.

[@beoxsgaming9388]

Klein is good, but my tool kit is a smorgasbord of tool brands.

[@calummcmillan3691]

Do you just leave the cables dropping straight into the cabinet? I typically put cable tray or basket in for that sort of thing and tie the cables in bunches of 24. Sometimes even trunking, that job looks like it's all just been thrown in the cab, not slating your work or anything, just not how I do it

[@synacksystems4122]

If you don't have the support trays off the back of the blank keystone patch panels, run a j-hook or d-ring just above the rack and secure with velcro. Will relieve the stress before going into the cabinet.

[@email16v]

They are not following standards and providing serviceability. Don't do it this way.

[@markavery2888]

You are no longer permitted to run cables under the roof deck like you show at 2:32. NEC 300.4(E), "A cable, raceway, or box, installed in exposed or concealed locations under metal-corrugated sheet roof decking, shall be installed and supported so there is not less than 1 ½ in. measured from the lowest surface of the roof decking to the top of the cable, raceway, or box. A cable, raceway, or box shall not be installed in concealed locations in metal-corrugated, sheet decking-type roof."

[@CyFr]

timelapse of the patch panel cleanup/installation process are/is always welcome. Used to really enjoy the work that was made by FiberNinja when he made content, sadly he was injured & equipment got stolen and I haven't seen any content from the last two years from him. kzbin.info

[@compudude]

I miss his videos.

[@MoneyMarcMes]

I prefer Snap On Screwdrivers.

[@BlackEpyon]

Just so long as you're not using a screwdriver in lieu of a 110 punch tool. I'm largely self-taught, but even I cringe at the stuff I've seen people do.

[@joshuawaterhousify]

"...I'm throwing this away as soon as I'm done, as you should with everything that uses zipties." Boy do I feel this. I work in a datacenter, and we use zipties all the fucking time. The number of times I try to reach to pull out a cable from a server or something and pull my hands out with scrapes and cuts, or we have to remove them really carefully to avoid cutting the cable, even on SAS>SATA cables and shit...I hate zipties with a burning passion.

[@BlackEpyon]

Zip ties can kink the cable. When I was doing IT support at my local school, I was working with Cat5e, where the difference wouldn't be noticed, but apparently, with the bleeding edge of Cat6, every little kink and bend can cause electromagnetic interference between the insulator and surface of the conductor, or skew the pairs, or something like that. My understanding of electromagnetic interference breaks down at point where you need to ask a radio tech to explain how twisted data pairs can cross-talk. But besides serviceability, that's apparently why they always tell you to use velcro straps instead of zip ties, no sharp turns, etc.

[@joshuawaterhousify]

@@BlackEpyon Ours are very tightly cable managed, so kinks aren't so much the problem, though some are cinched so tightly that I wonder if it's damaging the pairs just from pinching them. From what I've seen it's not actually been an issue, but who knows. If I remember correctly we're running Cat6A for our runs, though it ma yjust be Cat6. Either way, the zip ties haven't caused actual problems with cabling, they're just annoying to deal with :P We do use velcro with any optical runs though, and avoid sharp turns with both.

[@BlackEpyon]

@@joshuawaterhousify I'm not sure how tight it would need to be kinked to cause legitimate problems. Maybe just so that it causes the spacing of the twists to change? You'd probably have to do it pretty badly to notice. I've been out of IT support for several years now, and some of the low-voltage techs I've talked to have a lot more experience with that sort of thing than I do. I just like seeing good cable management. It's cathartic for me :)

[@joshuawaterhousify]

@@BlackEpyon Probably pretty tightly for CAT. I've got a couple of hundred meters, so I might need to test it some time when I get a switch in that will push it to it's limits with 10GbE. I've got very little experience with that kind of thing, but it's something I'm curious about. My cable management is generally horrid, at least on my personal stuff, just because of not being bothered to put the time into it. I have such a mess everywhere ':D When I start doing some server stuff at home I'll at least be keeping that decently managed though, at least if I can (that's part of why I have the raw Cat6 length)

[@BlackEpyon]

@@joshuawaterhousify All of my stuff at home is 1 GbE. Never had a need for anything faster, and 10/100 does fine for most stuff unless you're doing a large file transfer. But hey, 640 KB used to be enough too. Wait a few more years, and I might end up with some 10 GbE stuff falling in my lap.

[@pepeshopping]

It’s spelled “Bridle”, not bridal!

[@perfect.stealth]

What's wrong with using zip ties?

[@LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Not very serviceable and if pulled to tight can potentially damage cables.

[@BlackEpyon]

Apparently the kinks in the cable zip-ties make can cause cross talk issues at the bleeding edge of Cat6. Maybe the insulator acts like a capacitor with the surface of the conductor at those high frequencies and causes interference if there's a skew in the pairs or something? Dielectric effect? My knowledge breaks down at this point. When I was doing IT support at my school, it was all Cat5e, where you don't notice it as much.

[@ANJOELO]

U did not show ur wiring skills are u new?

[@bentheguru4986]

WTF is all the hate of Zip-Ties. The do the job fine, easy enough to work with and when done correctly, not a bloody issue. If you must deal with OCD issues, try loosing the nasty idea of a power board in the back of the rack, PDU's are cheap and neat.

[@backupplan6058]

“When done correctly” never seen them done correctly, always too tight. If cut off they have a sharp point, very common just to add another run which can mean cut the tie and starting again. Velcro is far more convenient, reusable, doesn’t damage the cables and if this day and age not using them while working in this industry you are doing a disservice.

[@rohanofelvenpower5566]

zips are useful in few situations, like they can help bent cables on sharp bents behind a door or at the back of a rack much better than velcro. But really in most cases you have the spa e and flexibility to use a velcro instead of a zip tie. Just tie the velcro more tightly if you need. And you can take them off easily.

[@JasonWester]

I scrolled the comments to figure this out myself. I don't run cable for a living, so I'm wondering if the zip ties have a negative effect on the cables? Or is it more of a courtesy to the next guy that comes across your work and has to cut them off? I just ran a few bundles of Cat 6 in my house and kept it neat with zip ties (also known as cable ties). If anybody has some input, I'd be interested in learning why it's a problem.

[@rohanofelvenpower5566]

@@JasonWester your house is fine, you wont really change the cabling adding or removing anything and the layout is small and straightforward anyway. I went into a data centre recently to rack some stuff. We have 5racks into a mini room area. 4 on one side and the last on the other side across. So like one rack alone at the back had about 20-40 yellow funre cables of about 15-20meter length, maybe more. It was a mess. Same with the copper cables. It just confusing having to take one out. And I had to, one at a time, and reconnect the one after... Also across racks on opposite sides, has to run 15meter DAC fibre amd there were so many.....I had to get on top with ladder. Its just a pain man. You loose track of the cables as you do one by one and you need like 40 across.....All the same colour and size. With velcro I tie them in 2-3 separate tied units of cables and its all good. I add one at a time. Ot takes like 4-5 to add a 15metre dac fibre cable across the racks on top of them with the ladder you know? Had to move ladder in like 4 positions.

[@bentheguru4986]

@@JasonWester Used wrong, can crush the cable/cables or cut if there is movement. Can be a pain if you need to add more cables but on the other side, if using wide ties and not pulling to the ends of the earth tight, can be very handy to quickly pull cables up. Even if for short term while velcro ties are put on afterwards.

[@TechySpeaking]

First

[@Dannykirklandmissed]

Great video