Server Rack Question

[pcman17]

I have a variety of equipment in my rack (Router,Switch,Firewall etc.) BUT My cables looks like dog crap. Not because I don't understand cable management but literally the cable quality is junk. What is everyone using Cable wise? RJ45 connectors as well? I need a nice visually appealing setup. Thanks for the help.

[BA64]

Monoprice cables are very good, cheap, and are usually delivered in a coiled fashion opposed to being bent back an forth and wrapped with a twist tie.

[scottyseng]

I'm using CAT6 and making my own cables. Lots of Velcro helps too.

 

You should also use a patch panel if possible.

[BA64]

24 minutes ago, scottyseng said:

I'm using CAT6 and making my own cables. Lots of Velcro helps too.

 

You should also use a patch panel if possible.

the ability to make your own cables is a wonderful ability

[scottyseng]

7 minutes ago, BA64 said:

the ability to make your own cables is a wonderful ability

Yeah, you just really need to buy CAT6 (Recommend CAT6A if you can afford it), and get the jack ends. I just bought some cheap crimping tool for Ethernet jacks and it works well.

 

It's very tough to keep premade cables tidy (what I have currently)...cable loops everywhere.

[pcman17]

I also make my cables. I guess I should have been more specific....... I was meaning the quality of the cable itself. 

 

[KTFO|SGTmoody]

On 13/09/2017 at 0:31 AM, pcman17 said:

I also make my cables. I guess I should have been more specific....... I was meaning the quality of the cable itself. 

 

I buy branded cable, ( i use alot so i get the 350m boxes) but anything made by EXCEL or Brandrex etc is good.  the higher the AWG stated on the cable the better.  Cat5e is fine, if you want to spend the extra on 6 then thats ok to but you wont see a difference unless its long distances or your doing 10G in your rack.
I use branded EXCEL cat5e crimp connectors and a good quility crimp tool.  Those cheap ones of ebay with the green handel are pants, seriously i have seen so many failed cables made with those tools is incredible, they dont push the pins in properly so you get pairs that just dont work.  Also pay attention to the way you make the cables up.  If you make even the smallest slice though a core in the cable it will impact the perfomance, IE it links up at 100Mb, or flaps like mad if you touch it.

Stranded is a little nicer to use if your just making patch cables,  Solid core is better if your using punch down patch panels.

To give you an idea of the suppliers i use to buy it check out:

cablemonkey

networkscentre

commsexpress

 

BTW cat6e is fake,  the standard does not exist,  i bought some off ebay once to see what it was like,  haha i turned it in to phone cable for some DSL patches.