Network Rack Installation - Start to Finish!

I was running out of room in my old network rack, so I decided to purchase a new one. In this video I go through a full network rack installation to move my test network into its own rack. It's always a work in progress, and never turns out exactly how it was planned, but that's half the fun!

Products Featured in this Video (some are affiliate)

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro
02:01 New Rack Overview
06:27 Old Rack
08:04 New Rack Plan
09:15 New Cable Runs
11:03 Untwist Tool V2
13:23 Building out the New Rack
13:53 PATCHBOX Problems
15:56 RackStuds Duo & /dev/mount cage nuts
18:52 Rack Shelves
19:40 Fan Noise Testing
20:39 Fixing a Mistake
22:46 Fixing up the old rack
25:03 New Rack Reveal

-------------------------

Follow me on Twitter: @crosstalksol

Connect with Chris:
Twitter: @CrosstalkSol

[kenhumphrey]

"Guest appearance by my dog, turkey." That caused quite the chuckle. LOL

[jmpalacios]

I have that same rack, though the 600mm deep version, and recently I had to move the vertical rails to fit a new 2U chassis that wouldn't fit. I thought I'd have to take everything out of the rack to accomplish that, but a smart trick spared me all that work! Choose either top or bottom and unscrew both vertical rails at that point, and rotate them to their new location and secure them, but perhaps not too tight just yet for some leeway; then go to the opposite vertical end, unscrew, and rotate the rails again, with the equipment still attached, until they reach the desired new location and proceed to secure everything as appropriate. A lot simpler than I thought it'd be, and worked like a charm without any hazard to my equipment!

[Rosscoff]

Apart from basic failure to measure your equipment before buying the rack, you're using an audio gear rack rather than an IT rack.
IT racks are generally not only deeper, but wider, with space for vertical routing of cables and management ears to either side.

[barteh]

I can't believe there's now a tool to untwist about an inch of twisted pair - what a time to be alive!

[scottmacwatters]

I have a rack of this brand with a few variations and I've been using it for about 2 years now. I love it.

The fans are very loud. I've also heard the wiring scares some people but I haven't had any issues. I used to control the fan with a smart outlet but now I've just moved it to a place where it doesn't bother me.

I'm using rackstuds for pretty much everything in it except for a few shelves to hold my heavier stuff like my UPS, then I'm using rack studs on the front for that but the weight is on racknuts and bolts.

[JasonsLabVideos]

Good video I usually remove those loud 110v fans and install 12v or 5v USB fans that are much quieter, but still pull air out the top.

[paulm]

I feel your pain. executive summary is that the deeper version of this rack would have been the one to get for your intended use because several devices are too deep for this one and because you need more clearance in front of and in back of the rack points relative to the front door and back cover.

[GunMD]

I have the less expensive version of that cabinet, and I can confirm the fan noise was unacceptable to me. I replaced with Noctua and a Cooler-Guys thermostat. Works great, and is silent.

[andyhello]

Nice

The more videos about stuff most videos on youtube are about the better.

Its great that channels like yours put the effort into making vids on things that most do not, and its good that so many people make videos on topics most simply do not.

There is always someone interested in such things, and is interested to see how tech professionals do stuff in there own unique way.

[stanmoore]

Chris, I have the same rack, except that it is the 18u version. I also needed to have the switches and patch panels deeper in the rack to close the door, but wanted rails at the front for deeper items. I was about to buy brackets that would attach to the rails and for a 4u space provide mounts 3 inches further back. They were priced at $42 but had a $14 shipping charge. Then I discovered that I could get additional rails from NavePoint for $54, with no shipping charge. I now have 8 rails in the rack, and so I have a lot of flexibility about were to mount things, including items with four post mounts. Also, it seems to me that there is plenty of space outside the rails to route power cables, so that you could go almost all of the way to the back of the case. The fans are loud, so I just removed them. I'll be interested to learn if you find a satisfactory substitute.

[questionablecommands]

If that rack is like my old baby rack and the back is solid/screwed in place, then it is likely helpful to know that the threading for the screws on that back panel is the same (or close enough to the same) as your standard PC thumb screw.

[simonread]

I regularly have issues with cabinets and equipment depths, contractors install 390mm deep wall mounted cabinets and then big PoE switches don't fit or short floor standing cabinets where cable clearances are an issue. I like your use of Rackstuds, I have changed over to these on my own rack and would like clients to use them too but they are about 50% more expensive here in the UK for the 100 pack vs the old fashioned metal ones. As you say, rackstuds are ideal if you are frequently moving equipment in and out, I have injured myself so many times over the years on the old metal cage nuts.

[frankmthompson]

I came here to see what hte screen was :) I was dissapointed...LOL. Can't wait to hear about it

[lawrencemoses]

Heyyy the LTT pad, I love mine. 12:00

[chadtaylor]

That particular modem is capable of being rack mounted. They actually make a bracket that attaches directly to it. Ask Comcast for the bracket!

[OLDMANDOM.Dominic]

Nice Rack big guy!! LOL Thanks! and Happy New Year!!

[jfkastner]

Love the dog ... and yes, the video was well done, too! Thank you.

[simondurrant]

Hi Chris, regards your mention of rack mounting for Raspberry Pi. You can buy such of course but they are stupidly expensive. I noticed that a Pi is good fit in an 8 port bay in a network switch. I have an old Dell 16 port switch case with a broken power supply and it now houses a pair of Raspberry Pi's in my rack. Switches like this are cheap as chips on ebay and a 48 port switch should house 6 Pi. Lots of Netgear and Dell switches also use 5V power supply so even that is easy. Pics available if you are interested.

[dronefilmsgermany]

Really great efforts. You didnt use network Rails to mount the server on each rail and keep a gap between each device?

[spacemanwho]

what are the blue and red clips you are using, im assuming they replaced the normal nuts/screws you would use... Man, getting the nuts in leaves my fingers destroyed! these look at simpler.

😃 I got to min 16 and you cover these off, awesome!