DIY Home Rack Build

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Monoprice Slimrun Cat6 Ethernet Patch Cables Compared 28/32 AWG

Rack Stud Weight Test

Wall Fishing Tools & How To Use Them When Dealing With Fire Stops and Insulation

Interview: Dan Barrera With Ideal Networks About TIA 42 Cabling Standards & Testing Processes

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⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
0:00 Home Lab Rack Build
2:01 Reusable Cable Management
3:18 Special Label Zip Ties
3:47 Modular Patch Panel & Keystones
7:33 Rack Studs VS Cage Nuts
10:55 Server Rails
12:15 Open Frame Server Racks
14:33 Rack Mounted Power Distribution
16:28 Rack Shelves
18:22 Patch Cables
22:22 Rack Skateboard

[LAWRENCESYSTEMS]

Affiliate Kit Link for items in this video

Monoprice Slimrun Cat6 Ethernet Patch Cables Compared 28/32 AWG

Rack Stud Weight Test

Wall Fishing Tools & How To Use Them When Dealing With Fire Stops and Insulation

Interview: Dan Barrera With Ideal Networks About TIA 42 Cabling Standards & Testing Processes

[Legendary_UA]

Love the comment, "the cloud is still racked somewhere"!!!

[richcky]

Enjoyed the video, but as a long time IT guy, I have to recommend torquing the bolts in your rack properly, and using at least 4 screws to mount a piece of hardware or shelf near the top, middle, and bottom of the rack. Your rack absolutely should not sway like that. These StarTech racks are solid as a rock when set up properly.

[neccros]

To avoid scuffing, you can stick on thin adhesive felt sheets cut to size on those shelves and slide the server in and out w/o issue... The felt helps with sliding heavier servers in and out

[cheesefries]

As someone who works in a data center I can say Velcro is your best friend.

[jeremyr]

The modular keystones are highly recommended in a home lab (non-punch-down) because if you are truly ‘homelabbing’, you are changing things around and those make it very easy to rearrange cables in the back of the patch panel as needed.

[olegurvingurigard]

Would love to see you test how much weight rack studs can hold!

[revealingfactsall]

IT guy here (over 20 years)... seen many data centers. I really like CableMatters wall mount patch panels. Their equipment has a PCB mounted punch down and ground straps as stress relief. Their RJ45 ports all come with dust covers too.

[bobpettit]

I recently retired from law enforcement and looking to start my next career in the IT world. I stumbled across your video and liked it so much that you got another subscriber out of it. I can’t wait to see what other videos you have available. Thank you

[jasonmeehan]

Every time someone says "the cloud" around me, I always say that just means someone else's server. Thanks for the video, its nice to get the opinion of someone that does it so much.

[James_Knott]

One tip for mounting gear in a rack. Put a couple of screws in the rails just below where the bottom edge of the equipment will be. You can then rest the equipment on those screws, while driving in the first screws for the equipment. You'd be surprised how many people don't know this trick and I've seen two people trying to work together, one holding the equipment and the other driving in the screws. BTW, I have worked with some equipment (old mini computers and disk/tape drives), where mounting is a three person job, because it's so heavy. Two to hold the equipment and one to drive in the screws. Also re zip ties, I have seen some where they were so tight they damaged the cable. So, if you use them, they shouldn't be any more than snug, if that. Stick with velcro when possible.

[evcali]

Good video Tom, I would like to see a video describing all the equipment needed for a home server rack

[mattpeel]

Hey Tom I noticed whenever you switched scenes while talking your audio doubled during the camera transition. Not sure if you're using OBS to record these, but just in case you are you can avoid that by using a single audio source, and copying the 'reference' between your different scenes (rather than creating a new audio source in every scene for the mic). Hope that helps - and thanks for the awesome videos!

[BLBlackDragon]

Thank you for showcasing how easy it is to keep racks organized. Every time I would walk into a client data center, I would cringe at everything from the "spaghetti curtains" to the pile of loose gear stacked on top of the racked servers. The MDF sheet is a spiff idea, especially if you don't have fans in the top of your cab.

[EViL]

I've worked in IT for 20 years, managing data centres and large offices, I have a large home lab.... and TIL a patch panels are frikkin awesome!

[williamskipper]

This week, I purchased six (6) MASSIVE custom 44U mixed use Server Racks. Im in way over my head, but I figure that I can begin to build out a sizeable mixed use lab operation..Im excited for the future!

[chrish]

Those zip tie labels are awesome. I've been doing networking for personally or professionally for twenty something years and never knew they existed. Just bought a hundred of them.

[AyukiAkiba]

0:12 "but mom, I want to use the cloud!"
mom: "we have the cloud at home"
home: racked server & switches on 2x4 wooden posts

[whitewitchcraft]

The adjustable rack shelf rails ❤❤. Didn't even know these were a thing. I'm new to home servers so there is that. Anywho, as soon as your video ended, click the links and bought a set. Thank you Lawrence 👍👍👍

[Polkster]

Another trick you can do is put in a shelf upside down and then put a heavy rack mount item on top of the underside of the shelf. It gives it a bit more support and allows you to easily add and remove when putting in the screws on the heavy item. For instance a UPS. This is especially helpful if you do not have side supports built in to your rack. You can also do this as a temporary helper/helping hands in removing a heavy item. After removing the heavy item, then remove the shelf.