I'm in the early stages of relocating my data center to a new facility. I've ordered all the necessary equipment and I'm almost done with my Visio diagram that includes all the cables. I have 2 cabinets, 3 physical servers, a storage area network (SAN), 2 high availability (HA) switches, and 2 HA firewalls. Most connections are 10/25Gb using OM4 fiber to SFP+ ports, with a few 1Gb Ethernet connections for IPMI and management.
I'm looking for suggestions on how to label these cables simply, without overcomplicating things. I don't want to include every detail like rack number, device, port, use, etc. I just need an easy way to identify each end of the cable. In the past, I used electrical tape or loosely attached zip ties, but was advised against using zip ties on fiber. Tape has a tendency to become loose and overly sticky due to the heat in the area with all the switches. I'm hoping to find a reliable way to label these cables that can handle the heat. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
I recommend using simple serial numbers on both ends instead. This prevents confusion if something changes. You can store the reference info for each serial number in a document taped to the rack. It’s less hassle to manage when cables are repurposed, and it avoids the trouble of updating specific labels. Just make sure to keep that document updated!
Dymo Rhino label makers are a fantastic choice for cable labeling. They’re durable and have been my go-to for a couple of years. You can find models that don’t come with a carry case to save a little money. They're super easy to use!
Definitely! I’ve got a cheaper version that just uses batteries instead of having to deal with the power adapter.
I've had great success with the Brady M210 label printer. The labels it produces are nearly indestructible, which is perfect for cables. I usually print two lines for each side if it’s a cable heading to another rack. If it's really close, I just use unique colors for clarity.
Consider getting a Brady M500 or M510, and use self-laminating labels. Label both ends of the cable with the hostname and port info, so you know exactly where each end should go. It’s really about being diligent with updates on the labels. I suggest plugging in the cable first, then applying the label so everything is facing the right way. This printer even lets you upload an Excel document for bulk printing! That way, every label can act like a guideline for connections.
Cable flags are definitely the way to go! Most label printers, except for the really basic ones, can print these. They print the label twice, allowing you to wrap it around the cable. Depending on how many types of cables or VLANs you have, you could use different colored labels for clarity. I recommend labeling each end with what it’s supposed to connect to, like 'servername_port1' on one side and 'switch_portnumber' on the other. Just remember to account for any changes in the setup, so the labels stay relevant!
Industrial tapes are an option too. They make heat-resistant tape for labels that won't peel off easily in high temps. That's something worth looking into!
But make sure that whatever system you choose can scale well. If someone repurposes a cable though, all previous labels become inaccurate unless you keep track of it. Matching arbitrary labels on both ends is ideal!
That’s a solid plan! I’m actually thinking of just having the first cable labeled ‘1’ on both ends, the second one ‘2’, and so forth. I had trouble in the past with labels peeling off due to heat, too.