I'm setting up a small networking closet and need some advice on where to mount the ISP's fiber equipment. Should I place it inside the wall-mounted 19U rack alongside my two switches, firewall, and five 24-port patch panels, or would it be better to mount it on the wall next to the rack? What are the pros and cons of each option? Thanks for the input!
3 Answers
It really depends on your internet provider. In my experience, most of the time, they mount their demarc or ONT box on the wall and connect it to a rack-mounted edge router right below the firewall. It's often a mix of both setups depending on what's needed.
I generally prefer to keep ISP equipment separate from my own gear. It just makes troubleshooting and maintenance easier without them encroaching on your space.
If there’s enough room in the rack, go ahead and put the ISP gear there. It keeps everything tidier and organized, which is always a plus.
That makes sense! I guess it varies by provider and setup.