Are you dealing with “cabling spaghetti” in your infrastructure? Do you need a surefire way to untangle yourself from this mess?
If you’re not using good cable management software, you could be dealing with too many inefficiencies and too little time: slower troubleshooting because circuits cannot be properly traced, stranded ports and subcomponents due to partial decommissioning of fiber connectivity…and more…but you probably already know all that (then some) if you’re here reading this blog!
Too many companies today simply overlook the importance of cable management capabilities in a Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software…and later, they end up paying the price of having two DCIM solutions: one for data center management and another for cable management, or having to go and replace your DCIM solution with another solution…yuck.
Maybe you’re reading this because you’re sick of dealing with all the inefficiencies and not having the right tools to fight back? You know cable management software can help, but: how do you convince your boss an investment in DCIM, and particularly software that includes cable management, is worth it?
Circuit Layout Record View in netTerrain DCIM
1. Troubleshoot & Solve Problems Quickly
How do you know what port is connected to what port to which patch panel or switch, router, or server? Ever feel like you’re trying to solve a Rubik’s cube for a living?
Sure, network mapping and documentation helps but — can your network tool go out and discover the connections from/to patch panels? We haven’t created the telepathy protocol yet, unless you have invested in smart/intelligent patch panels! With a properly documented cable management solution, you can easily run a trace route to see all the connections a circuit takes for example. If a device goes down, just click on the downed device and see all of the devices and applications that are connected to that downed device plus see everything that’s impacted.
2. Free Up Space & Save Money with Fully Decommissioned Cabling
It’s almost Halloween again so, be careful now, zombie cables may be closer than you think! Zombie cables? Yeah, let’s face it, zombie cables happen. When you take down equipment for retire it, or move it, it’s all too easy to forget to unplug the cable on the other end of the equipment….and bam: you’re left with zombie cables that weren’t fully decommissioned. What’s wrong with a few zombies here and there? These cables are not performing any services and wasting valuable port spaces, which leads to inefficient capacity planning and increased IT expenditures.
3. Buy Software that Quickly Pays for Itself
Cable management is often thought of as being separate from DCIM solution and it’s not viewed, as it should be, as an integral part of your DCIM strategy. With a DCIM solution like netTerrain, cable management is included.
Ask your DCIM vendor if the software includes a cable management solution, with the ability to document both copper and fiber (and its strands) cabling, ability to create circuits, wireless access points, and connections for both inside the building and even outside plant, if your network team is managing your campus connections.
Having a cable management solution in place with your DCIM project is important: it helps with your data center and network efficiency…and your bottom line. Make troubleshooting faster and easier for your network teams and maintain your data center environment with DCIM that includes a good cable management solution.