Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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 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. Velcro! by IversenX · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I found a solution which I'm pretty happy about.

    Take a good piece of double-sided velcro (that will bond to itself), about 10-20cm. Get a short, screw with a large, flat head. Put the screw through the middle of the velcro strip, and screw it onto the underside of your table, somewhere out of sight. Rinse, repeat.

    Now you have velcro loops that can carry all your wires really neatly, with infinite and easy reconfigurability.

    (Initially, I tried gluing / velcroing the velcro strips on. It never lasted, so I went with screws instead. That really works!)

    --
    With great numbers come great responsibility!
  3. Re:Do not forget Plastic Spiral Cable Wrap! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    FYI, don't use lmgtfy in links. The WHOLE POINT of links is to assist people in locating information, and you're kind of being a dick who can't use the web by NOT providing that assistance (no offense, it applies to us all). So providing that assistance indirectly, with a slow, tedious lmgtfy link is almost as bad.