The average rack power density for individual server racks continues to increase, with some higher than 11kW. This causes heat within the cabinet to rise. Implementing proper cable management practices is critical to providing sufficient ventilation for the equipment and for future growth. If not properly managed, heavy cable bundles can negatively affect airflow and thermal management.
The latest industry standards recognize that the care given to telecommunications cables during installation and use is a primary factor in maintaining good equipment performance.
Telecommunications Pathways and Spaces Standard — ANSI/TIA/EIA-596B suggests:
- Size, layout and provisioning for planning telecommunications rooms based on the number of users and flow space being served.
Telecommunications Cabling Standard — ANSI/TIA/EIA-568B defines:
- Specific types of cable that can be used within the network, maximum distances for these cables at each point to point within the network and minimum performance requirement for testing the installed cables as standards compliant.
A more recent standard for data center facilities and infrastructure — EN 50600 dictates:
- Cabinets should be provisioned with additional depth and width for vertical cable management. Additionally, cable manager should not be filled at more than 50 percent of their capacity to allow for future growth.
In other words, practices like cable slack management, bend radii ranges and organization are critical for cable performance and the health of the network.
The most efficient cable management solutions and rack designs for streamlining the management of the cables and cords, optimizing signal quality and network strength, and meeting installation guidelines for copper and fiber cabling are shared in article by Luca Rozzoni, CPI European business development manager, in the June edition of Inside Networks online magazine.
“Whether you are upgrading a current infrastructure or designing a new installation, considering how the cabling within the rack will be managed will be vital to end performance and reliability," writes Rozonni. He goes on to discuss recommended rack types and selection procedure for cable runways. Read the full article here.
For information about network infrastructure products designed to meet best practices and industry standards, visit our cable management product page.
Brittany Mangan, Digital Content Specialist