Background:
Our client recently engaged our services to take over their server maintenance contract from their previous vendor. Upon assessment, we identified that their server rack was disorganized and lacked proper cable management. This resulted in difficulties tracing LAN ports to their respective network switches, making it nearly impossible to rectify any user LAN issues. To address these challenges, we proposed a comprehensive server rack rearrangement.
Objective:
To reorganize our client’s server rack layout by implementing proper cable management techniques, thereby improving their network efficiency and reduce connectivity downtime. This will enable easy tracing of LAN ports and swift resolution of user LAN issues.
Execution:
To minimize our client’s business, we planned the project to be executed over a single weekend, considering that there were over 150 LAN cables that needed to be individually traced and labelled. Our team of skilled engineers began by tracing and labelling the cables, connections and devices. Once everything had been identified and labelled accordingly, we proceeded to carefully dismantle all devices from the existing server rack, which included the servers, network switches, firewalls and other components.
As part of the project, we upgraded the existing server rack to a new 42U server rack that includes side channels for improved cable management. This upgrade laid the foundation for a more organized and efficient setup. We carefully terminated the labelled cables into the patch panel, ensuring easier access for future troubleshooting and maintenance. Testing was conducted to verify the proper functioning of all components. Subsequently, we proceeded to remount the devices within the new server rack, prioritizing and grouping the order of installation as follows: patch panel, network switches, firewall, and servers which are connected to the uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Once all devices were securely remounted, we diligently organized and routed the cables through the server rack side channels to their respective endpoints.
To ensure that all connections were functioning properly, we performed point-to-point testing to verify the connectivity of all devices and that accurate identification of each LAN cable corresponds to its network switches.
Post-Installation Support:
Additionally, 1 engineer was assigned to standby onsite to promptly address any network-related issues that may arise.
Conclusion:
By upgrading the server rack and implementing proper cable management techniques, we successfully enhanced our client’s network efficiency. The new organized setup allows for easier network troubleshooting and maintenance, minimizing the downtime that may be caused by network issues.
MWIT