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Ask Slashdot: Clever Cable Management?

Posted by Soulskill on from the bartering-with-entropy dept.

sooth... writes "What clever ways have network administrators found to cleanly sort varying length patch cables within IDFs, BDFs, and MDFs or simply wiring closets? Pictures or examples are welcome." Since not everyone is a network administrator, let's expand this to include efficient or clever management of other cables. How do you route your computer cables (internal or external), your entertainment center cables, or any other corded setup?

6 of 374 comments (clear)

  1. My 3 step process by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) No cat5, I use wireless only.

    2) When I do need to run cable, such as telephone wire for my fax machine, I put the cable in the middle of the room. Then I buy a big rug, and place it over the top of the cable.

    3) When it's something complicated, like using a ladder, I always call a professional installer. The satellite company always send the most knowledable folks available.

    1. Re:My 3 step process by indeterminator · · Score: 5, Funny

      +1, Proper Use of Rugs.

    2. Re:My 3 step process by catmistake · · Score: 5, Funny

      +5 if it really ties the office together

      --
      The Admin and the Engineer
    3. Re:My 3 step process by DeBaas · · Score: 4, Funny

      2) When I do need to run cable, such as telephone wire for my fax machine, I put the cable in the middle of the room. Then I buy a big rug, and place it over the top of the cable.

      so 5 cables later you've got 5 rugs piled up?

      --
      ---
    4. Re:My 3 step process by dna_(c)(tm)(r) · · Score: 5, Funny

      2) When I do need to run cable, such as telephone wire for my fax machine, I put the cable in the middle of the room. Then I buy a big rug, and place it over the top of the cable.

      The pro's call that a ruggedized setup.

  2. Re:The usual way by Deadstick · · Score: 4, Funny

    I worked for years in a big operation with raised floor. The neatness up top degenerated into horror when you lifted a tile and looked underneath...raised floor doesn't eliminate the mess, just hides it from the CEO.

    Whenever a guy lifted a tile and climbed down to route a cable, I'd say "Don't you bother my pet rattlesnake!" The reply would often be a bit nervous -- especially since we did indeed have rattlers at least twice.

    rj