Benefits of Patch Panel

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mdooher

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#2528094 24-Jul-2020 11:31

Earbanean:

Well, the cabinet makers and sparkies have been busy and the patch panel, data cabinet etc are pretty much done. But...

It's huge! I might have to have a word to the sparkies about maybe swapping for something a bit more appropriate.

move the switch down 1RU, get some cable management and swap out the patch leads for the super thin ones..it it will look very nice

then get a nice rack mounted router (i assume that is your current one sitting on the shelf?

you could put some colored led strips down the sides for that cool glow....nah just kidding (unless you are 12)

Matthew

bignose

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#2528099 24-Jul-2020 11:39

Yoban:

Hi there

Looking good. I would be keeping the size as you will be amazed what you end up in there once you get started. For example do you have a UPS or NAS etc.?

Also have think about ventilation too....this will depend on what you pout in the rack.

edit: additional commentary/thoughts

except the obvious lack of ventilation will present problems if you want to install any other equipment in there (indeed presuming it's going to have a solid door even that simple switch+router setup could get things pretty hot in there)

I'd be looking at putting some exit vents in the top panel (should be able to do that fairly discretely) and getting the bottom edge routered back to give an inwards air gap at the bottom of the door. And loose the door on the rack - it's only further lowering airflow and is superfluous

Earbanean

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#2528118 24-Jul-2020 12:24

Although I like to future proof, I don't think I'll be getting a NAS or UPS. Ventilation is a good point. The data cabinet has extractor fans on the top, but they sound like a jet taking off. Also, they'd obviously just be venting into the closed wooden cabinet. If the height of the data cabinet was reduced I could cut holes sideways to vent to under the bench that is adjacent (on the left).

bignose

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#2528121 24-Jul-2020 12:29

Earbanean:

Although I like to future proof, I don't think I'll be getting a NAS or UPS. Ventilation is a good point. The data cabinet has extractor fans on the top, but they sound like a jet taking off. Also, they'd obviously just be venting into the closed wooden cabinet. If the height of the data cabinet was reduced I could cut holes sideways to vent to under the bench that is adjacent (on the left).

I'd definitely loose the fans and go for passive air circulation - with the gear in there it'll be more than adequate and no-ones needs fan noise in a living area

most racks just run the fans at full speed (presuming the rack is fully populated) - so if you do end up putting something with more thermal load in there you should be able to retrofit some form of fan speed control to the rack and drop them down to a level where they're inaudible to help circulation

mdooher

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#2528129 24-Jul-2020 12:51

bignose:

Earbanean:

Although I like to future proof, I don't think I'll be getting a NAS or UPS. Ventilation is a good point. The data cabinet has extractor fans on the top, but they sound like a jet taking off. Also, they'd obviously just be venting into the closed wooden cabinet. If the height of the data cabinet was reduced I could cut holes sideways to vent to under the bench that is adjacent (on the left).

I'd definitely loose the fans and go for passive air circulation - with the gear in there it'll be more than adequate and no-ones needs fan noise in a living area

most racks just run the fans at full speed (presuming the rack is fully populated) - so if you do end up putting something with more thermal load in there you should be able to retrofit some form of fan speed control to the rack and drop them down to a level where they're inaudible to help circulation

I have quite a tight space for my patch panel etc... for ventilation on my noisy 24 port PoE switch I did the following (not a suggestion by the way). I ripped the two little loud fans out, cut a massive hole in the top and bigger one in the bottom, put some mesh over the top so I don't drop too much stuff in, and had a look to see what the temp did. It went from about 30C to 50C. if it gets to 60C i'll put a 4 inch PC fan on top 😜

Matthew

FineWine

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#2528195 24-Jul-2020 13:40

Wondering if you have enough power points (4) And how close the points are especially when you start trying to fit ‘power bricks’ in. Suggest maybe getting a left and right double plugs to be for each end of the existing 4 power point and now you have 6 points with the two end ones able to take those large power bricks.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

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Earbanean

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#2528231 24-Jul-2020 14:52

FineWine:

Wondering if you have enough power points (4) And how close the points are especially when you start trying to fit ‘power bricks’ in. Suggest maybe getting a left and right double plugs to be for each end of the existing 4 power point and now you have 6 points with the two end ones able to take those large power bricks.

At the moment, I only need 3 power points. Router, switch and ONT.

Earbanean

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#2533576 3-Aug-2020 10:37

So, we got the cabinet swapped out for a smaller one. Definitely still big enough, but now gives us space above for another shelf in the wooden cupboard. It also means we can vent out sideways under the desk on the left of the cupboard if we need to. I think I could swap the Cat6 patch leads for shorter ones, but it's not top of the priority list.

We also finally got the ONT installed behind the cabinet by Chorus. We though it would go inside, but the new ONT is a two box set-up, that wouldn't really mount inside the cabinet. It wasn't even going to fit behind the cabinet. However, this cabinet has a wall mounting back for swinging cabinet use, which we could take off. That made enough room. I think a few people who have wall cavity cabinets might have problems trying to fit the new ONTs going forward.

froob

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#2533615 3-Aug-2020 11:49

Looks great.

I saw one of the new ONTs at a family members house, and also wondered whether it would be too thick to actually fit it into my cabinet. Here's hoping my ONT doesn't die anytime soon...

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cyril7

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#2533657 3-Aug-2020 12:40

froob: Looks great.

I saw one of the new ONTs at a family members house, and also wondered whether it would be too thick to actually fit it into my cabinet. Here's hoping my ONT doesn't die anytime soon...

I dont know what the policy is, but I cannot see why the ONT cannot be placed directly beside the fibre case assuming the short fibre lead was long enough.

Cyril

bignose

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#2533699 3-Aug-2020 12:49

froob: Looks great.

I saw one of the new ONTs at a family members house, and also wondered whether it would be too thick to actually fit it into my cabinet. Here's hoping my ONT doesn't die anytime soon...

is this the new (Nokia) hyperfibre 'home' rated ONT? the specs for it doesn't sound too outrageous (77mm thick - https://hyperfibre.chorus.co.nz/hyperfibre-options ) - but seems like there's no wall mounting option?

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cyril7

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#2533701 3-Aug-2020 12:54

I think he is referring to the Gen3 unit, which is approx 60mm deep when mounted on the fibre containment.

Cyril

froob

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#2533743 3-Aug-2020 14:06

cyril7:
I think he is referring to the Gen3 unit, which is approx 60mm deep when mounted on the fibre containment.

Cyril

Probably fine in that case, since in-wall Cabinets will usually be about 100mm to match the depth of the framing and plasterboard.

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