Individually, cables don't take up too much room. Try to connect several across different components, however, and you start to realize just how much of a mess they can cause.
Data centers, naturally, consist of hundreds and even thousands of cables running along the floor and through the aisles. At best, this can lead to confusion when it comes time for basic maintenance. At worst, these cables have the potential to cause tripping and are vulnerable to physical damage, as well as possibly leading to heating and energy efficiency issues.
In a recent article on Data Center Post, contributor Ken Koty offers some tips for data center operators who finally want to get a handle on their out-of-control cables.
He argues that it is important to pay special attention to a cable's length. Just because a cable connects properly doesn't necessarily mean that it is the right one for every job. Some cables are too long and end up pooling slack on the floor, while others are so short that they appear ready to disconnect themselves. Data center operators are better off taking accurate measurements before installing these cables.
Sometimes, a web of tangled cables can make it difficult to identify what goes where. There are a few easy solutions for this. Some choose to use color-coded cables for different purposes, while others simply use colored tags. In either case, this helps operators tell what goes where.
As Koty makes quite clear, operators should never be afraid to use low-tech data center solutions. Even something as simple as a zip tie can make a big different when it comes to managing cables.
