IBM System Storage DS3500 Introduction And Implementation Manual page 67

Draft Document for Review March 28, 2011 12:24 pm
Cable planning
Successful cable management planning includes three basic activities: site planning (before
your solution is installed), cable routing, and cable labeling.
Site planning
Having adequate site planning completed before your solution is installed will result in a
reduced chance of installation problems. Significant attributes covered by site planning are
location specifications, electrical considerations, raised/non-raised floor determinations, and
determination of cable lengths. Consult the documentation for each component of your
solution for special site planning considerations.
Cable routing
With effective cable routing, you can keep your solution's cables organized, reduce the risk of
damaging cables, and allow for affective service and support. Use the following guidelines to
assist with cable routing:
When installing cables to devices mounted on sliding rails:
– Run the cables neatly along equipment cable-management arms and tie the cables to
the arms. (Obtain the cable ties locally.)
– Take particular care when attaching fiber optic cables to the rack. See the instructions
included with your fiber optic cables for guidance on minimum radius, handling, and
care of fiber optic cables.
– Run the cables neatly along the rack rear corner posts.
– Use cable ties to secure the cables to the corner posts.
– Make sure the cables cannot be pinched or cut by the rack rear door.
– Run internal cables that connect devices in adjoining racks through the open rack
sides.
– Run external cables through the open rack bottom.
– Leave enough slack so that the device can be fully extended without putting a strain on
the cables.
– Tie the cables so that the device can be retracted without pinching or cutting the
cables.
To avoid damage to your fiber optic cables, follow these guidelines:
– Use great care when utilizing cable management arms.
– When attaching to a device on slides, leave enough slack in the cable so that it does
not bend to a radius smaller than that as advised by your fiber optic cable guide when
extended or become pinched when retracted.
– Route the cable away from places where it can be snagged by other devices in the
rack.
– Do not overtighten the cable straps or bend the cables to a radius smaller than that as
advised by your fiber optic cable guide.
– Do not put excess weight on the cable at the connection point and be sure that it is well
supported. For example, a cable that goes from the top of the rack to the bottom
have a method of support other than the strain relief boots built into the cable.
Note: Do not use cable-management arms for fiber cables.
Chapter 3. IBM System Storage DS3500 Storage System planning tasks
7914DS3KPlanning_090710.fm
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