DIY network cabinet

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mdf

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#222479 13-Aug-2017 21:34

I need a cabinet for the networking equipment - patch panel, cable modem, router, switch, WAP, NAS/small server, and a couple of single board bits of experimentation. It will probably grow. Space available is roughly 600 x 600 and can go as high as the ceiling. Imagine the space of a single door fridge. Which is convenient, given that is what is in the space at the moment. I can't justify the price for a proper network cabinet (and in any event, I only have one thing that is even rack mountable) so am planning on building one.

I've been playing around with a couple of variants involving some kind of false back to hide away the cables, but I'm now actually wondering whether that is more trouble than it is worth.

Anyone keen to share any pics of your DIY network cabinets? Any other tips and hints (or "don't do what I dids...") gratefully welcomed.

Other info: I'm intending on using some very nice 25mm ply currently sitting in the garage for this project. The wall the cabinet will back on to is also the wall where all the cables will be routed, so that part of things is easy at least.

hio77

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#1846076 13-Aug-2017 22:17

Recently did this with a recycled desk actually...

Ended up ordering a few precut rails for rackmounting and its near perfect.

i'll look to to post some pictures for you soon.

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Talkiet

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#1846079 13-Aug-2017 22:23

Watch trademe for a while. Racks are often available free or for nominal money. (like $100ish)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

elpenguino

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#1846087 13-Aug-2017 22:33

Here's a pic of mine. My requirements were accommodate 32 port patch panel , little patch panel for coax and router + headless PC. Also didn't want to spend money without needing to.

I found a 19 inch rack from a bit of 70s kit which was being dumped so I got to save it from landfill and not need to buy something. I just had to drill and tap for more rack mount devices - measurements are as bad as my colouring in lol.

I wouldn't suggest trying to conceal cabling. If you ever need to check something, revealing it will be PITA. Also, nothing quite as satisfying for your(my) OCD as nicely laid out cables on a tray.

Suggestions - just borrow the ideas from the commercial networking world. Leave space for future expansion. Try make riser into floor and ceiling space for easy future cable pulling. Remember your setup might change over time so don't get too set on mounting things in a limiting way.

I was all set up this way for ADSL then I switched to fibre. I pre-installed a conduit to the cupboard which is in the centre of my house and the fibre guys just piped it on through. I was pleased not to have the ONT in the lounge adding to the snake fest behind the TV.

All up cost about $60-80 for ply, patch panel (used) and switch (used, only 100Mbs), connectors etc etc. I don't worry about keeping to too tide - just close the door :-)

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

elpenguino

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#1846088 13-Aug-2017 22:35

Soz - photo seems rotated. Even when I deliberately rotate and re-upload the GZ code seems to put a post-beervana slant on things back to this same position.....

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

DarthKermit

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#1846092 13-Aug-2017 22:57

Here's mine. I built this in a limited space to fit inside the wall space. Has an ONT, Huawai router and 24 port network switch. I installed a 80 mm fan later on to remove the heat build up.

hio77

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#1846102 13-Aug-2017 23:22

DarthKermit:

Here's mine. I built this in a limited space to fit inside the wall space. Has an ONT, Huawai router and 24 port network switch. I installed a 80 mm fan later on to remove the heat build up.

i love the mounting of the switch!

the one bit that i cant resist but want to replace is the cable to the ONT, atleast a boot anyway..

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Kiwifruta

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#1846108 14-Aug-2017 05:53

I had been thinking about building a simple cabinet (I.e. no rack mountable gear) just by sticking Velcro hook dots to the gear and attaching the gear to a sheet of Velcro loops. Easy to move things around when/if I ever needed to make any gear changes.

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DarthKermit

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#1846124 14-Aug-2017 07:53

hio77: i love the mounting of the switch!

the one bit that i cant resist but want to replace is the cable to the ONT, atleast a boot anyway..

Yeah, I need to mount that switch properly one of these days.

nickb800

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#1846216 14-Aug-2017 10:33

Mine is plywood with aluminum angle profile for the rails. Made a couple of mistakes 1) mismeasured the gap between rails, so can't get screws in for rack mounting things - hence cable ties and 2) didn't include the right hand shelf in my original design, so had to bodge that in.

Main suggestion would be to allow for non-rack mount things like consumer routers, amplifiers, etc

Structured cabling is meant to be flexible, so don't overmanage it - leave the cables in sight

xpd

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#1846220 14-Aug-2017 10:45

Will keep an eye on this thread..... Ive got a decent amount of space in the garage next to my workbench that ive got a small switch, server etc put into atm, but want to tidy it up etc. Will build my own "rack" as it were :) Will also get the VDSL shifted there instead of its current location, then all the geek stuff is together.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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