I find that racks create a cleaner and more organised environment if, and only if, you keep up your maintenance. Having little "helpers" unplug and re-plug and move patch leads takes about 30 seconds to shatter weeks of planning.<br>
<br>What I'm trying to say is that no matter what solution you choose, it will only work if there is a system to maintain the system. For me and my clients, I colour-code patch leads, have velcro straps, and documentation to match. Little "helpers" have their fingers removed verbally.<br>
<br>It's not perfect, it will never be perfect, but being able to see at a glance what is going on in the case of a failure is worth Gold.<br><br>As for racked vs. rackless. as Chris says, it's all about managing the cables. Racked reduces the trip hazard, but if you don't have standardised 19" hardware, you might spend a fortune in 19" shelves to store your non-standard kit.<br>
<br>Personally, I'd suggest a large sturdy stand-alone shelving unit - think Bunnings/OfficeWorks shop shelves. position it against a wall so you can walk in front and behind it and you are most of the way there.<br>
<br>
Bolting shelves to a wall is not my idea of a fun working environment.<br><br>My 5 cents.<br><br><br>Onno<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Aug 3, 2011 at 11:25 AM, Jon Miller <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jlmiller@mmtnetworks.com.au">jlmiller@mmtnetworks.com.au</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">I find the racks creates a cleaner and professional looking computer room.<br>
The cables are neatly in order for easy tracking and access to the servers<br>
if setup right is great from both front and back. I've designed quite a few<br>
server rooms from as large as the Navy to as small as a single rack and it<br>
is the only way to go. I use MFB racks because of their standards.<br>
<br>
Jon L Miller<br>
MMT Networks Pty Ltd<br>
e: <a href="mailto:jlmiller@mmtnetworks.com.au">jlmiller@mmtnetworks.com.au</a><br>
p: <a href="tel:%2B618%209375%206597" value="+61893756597">+618 9375 6597</a><br>
m: <a href="tel:%2B61%20412%20126%20166" value="+61412126166">+61 412 126 166</a><br>
<br>
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-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <a href="mailto:plug-bounces@plug.org.au">plug-bounces@plug.org.au</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:plug-bounces@plug.org.au">plug-bounces@plug.org.au</a>] On Behalf<br>
Of <a href="mailto:home@oranges.id.au">home@oranges.id.au</a><br>
Sent: Wednesday, 3 August 2011 10:09 AM<br>
<div class="im">To: <a href="mailto:plug@plug.org.au">plug@plug.org.au</a><br>
</div><div class="im">Subject: [plug] server room visit<br>
<br>
</div><div><div></div><div class="h5">Hi everyone,<br>
Do any of you manage, or at least work nearby a server room which<br>
doesn't use equipment racks?<br>
<br>
I'm considering rearranging our server room, and have come to a<br>
crossroads. Amongst other decisions, I need to choose whether to<br>
continue with our simple shelving approach, or start using equipment<br>
racks. I have experience with the latter, but effectively none with<br>
the former, so I'm hoping someone out there can offer me a grand tour.<br>
<br>
Do any of you who've got one within 20km of Perth CBD, reckon you<br>
could give me a peek at your rackless - or only partially racked -<br>
server room? I'm not looking for the perfect example of such a setup,<br>
just another perspective, because ours has grown and evolved to a<br>
pretty poor state!<br>
<br>
Peace,<br>
Greg.<br>
<br>
--<br>
Gregory Orange<br>
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PLUG discussion list: <a href="mailto:plug@plug.org.au">plug@plug.org.au</a><br>
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</div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Onno Benschop<br><br>()/)/)() ..ASCII for Onno..<br>|>>? ..EBCDIC for Onno..<br>--- -. -. --- ..Morse for Onno..<br><br>ITmaze - ABN: 56 178 057 063 - ph: 04 1219 8888 - <a href="mailto:onno@itmaze.com.au" target="_blank">onno@itmaze.com.au</a><br>