Network re-design

WAS

Driven
As some of you know, on top of owning a detailing business, I also own an IS / IT business, where we design web pages, build and support computer networks, etc.



Recently we did a network re-design at a local company that is a new client of ours. Whoever installed the original network did a very poor job, you can really tell that they cut corners to save time (and probably still billed the same man-hours as if it were done properly).



Anyways, here's some pics:





The original network, untouched by us.



n1.jpg






What a clutter.



n2.jpg






Our new network rack going in.



n3.jpg






There's a lot of cabling to organize.



n4.jpg






Begining to organize the rack.



n5.jpg






Wire ties are our friends !



n6.jpg






This was a temperature reading of the network switch. The area where the network equipment was installed is right next to a large window, and had no ventilation of any kind.



n7.jpg






Temperature reading of the SonicWall.



n8.jpg






I had the client install an a/c vent above the new network rack. After adjusting the fins on the vent to direct air where I wanted it, here's the result of another temperature reading of the network switch. MUCH more acceptable.



n9.jpg






And another reading of the SonicWall.



n10.jpg






Top 2 shelves completely finished.



n11.jpg






Bottom shelf complete.



n12.jpg






A peek of the whole thing.



n13.jpg






There's still a lot of bundled up cabling by the floor, but at least now it's neat and organized.



n14.jpg






Network admin jacks and KVM switch.



n15.jpg
 
Yal said:
Sweet. I love networking porn! :D



Its amazing how many businesses forget basic ventilation. It really helps in the long run.

lol, I'm an organization compulsive nut, so when I see things like in the first pic, it drives me up the wall. Why someone would install something like that is beyond me. It took 6 man-hours just to trace all the switch ports (since the switch is un-managed), finding out what cable went where. After mapping it, we found about 18 cables that didn't actually go anywhere. Judging from the age of the cables, I assume at least some of them went bad and were re-run, but the old cable left there (for who knows what reason other than laziness). Not to mention the SonicWall isn't supposed to be installed vertically, its heatsinks and fins don't disperse heat properly when installed vertically, of course that too was ignored by the original installers :rolleyes:



Ventilation is a total must, especially in the little enclosed corner this network sits in. But, I can't really blame the business, since they're not the IS / IT experts. The company that installed the gear should have brought this to the business's attention. I assume it wasn't, since when I mentioned that it might be a good idea to get a vent in there, it was done within 2 days.
 
Back
Top