Organizing Computer Gear Clutter?

slashyslashy asks: "At first I had only a PC and a printer. Now the home network setup has grown to consist of many units: linksys router, ASDL modem, Vonage VOIP terminal, linksys NSLU2 network storage device, and couple of external harddrives. Powering all these units is done with three Belkin 6-Outlet Surge Protectors all connected to 1 wall outlet. Currently all of these units are stacked under the table, causing their wires and cables criss-cross each other. Troubleshooting any single unit is a mess. How do other Slashdot readers organize their home computer gear? Any ideas on cheap solutions ($100) to manage this clutter?"

Comments

My solution

[TripMaster Monkey]

Here's the solution I've come up with...hope this helps...

I purchased a cheap wire shelfabout 18x36, 2 shelves. I attached pulleys to the top of the shelf, and attached two smooth metal rods to the ceiling for the pulleys to ride on. All my systems are on the bottom shelf, all routers, switches, modems, access points, etc. are on the top shelf. Power strips are zip-tied directly to the shelf, powered by a UPS on the floor. Any unit can be taken off the shelf and placed on the workbench without disconnecting any cables. The entire shelf can be pulled out to allow easy access to the rear of the units, or pushed right up against the wall to to conserve space. And because all components are well off the ground, I don't have to worry about flooding (an occasional hazard in my basement) or excess dust accumulation inside the cases (I have two cats).

Re:My solution

[Shag]

Yeah, wire shelving is pretty cool. Last time my wife was away at college, she had some like this, and it's now been integrated into our bedroom. It's rated for some obscene amount of weight per shelf, and of course since the shelves aren't solid cables can be run anywhere, there's good airflow, etc.

As far as the sheer quantity of stuff... ours is kind of distributed. The DSL modem, switch/wireless router, VOIP box, etc. live by a phone line demarc I've set up in the center of the basement, with one Linux box down there as a "server" of sorts. Then there are a couple laptops that roam around on wireless, and my kid's computer is connected via a 50' cat5 cable.

At the shelf that serves as my "desk" I've got a 7-space plug strip, which typically has three to six spaces open.

Tower of Devices

[Schlaegel]

I made an nice looking vertical tower of devices.

I got a reasonably long piece of 1x4 inch board in a wood that matches my desk.

I then mounted my UPS on one side (the "back") of the board and mounted all of my other devices on the other side (the "front") of the board. The devices were stacked vertically and had their power cords immediately routed to the back of the board so that only the devices are visible. I mounted the devices to the board by screwing wood screws just under the device and then using extra-long zip-ties to secure the devices to the wood. The devices only rest on the screw heads leaving the devices unharmed.

I then stood the board on end in a nice decorative pot that was filled with decorative rocks to hold the board up.

Then my wife saw it and said I still had to cover it up, so I got a matching panel screen and used it to cover up my newly constructed tower. :(

The tower still resulted in all my devices off the shelf, off the floor, and neat and tidy.

Re:Don't.

[MentalMooMan]

Gee, thanks for modding me down. It's really what I do.
Whenever a new cable requires fitting, it just goes in the pile, and doesn't need to be touched again. It's better than spending hours cable-tieing all the wires and needing to completely undo it every time you go to a LAN party. They don't bother me as they occupy only half a foot of area from the wall, and I can keep off them. Why is a complicated solution needed when a simple one will do?