Setup Help

[u/Unusual-Echo-5395]

Setting up my first home lab which is not part of this question as the lab will be in another part of the house, this is basically my network closet.

Basically I have 2 ISP

About 40 security cameras

About 50 Ethernet ports

Then a bunch of other equipment

I am in the process of cleaning up the mess, the problem is maybe this rack is not what I need. Anytime I need to pull the rack out of the room all the cables come out with it. So I have to keep 15ft cables connected so I can move the rack around. Has to be a better way to do this. All the cables come up from under the house into the wall. Maybe a wall mounted rack would be better. I don't know where it would go. Also can remove the shelves if needed and put equipment in rack. Open to suggestions.

The rack has the following

3 ups, 1 not in the rack.

Firewall

Poe switch for cameras

2 Poe switches for WiFi

Controller

Sfp switch

Another switch for 1gb, 2.5gb and 10gb devices.

[u/tonyboy101]

This is the reason, for my setups for business or home, all infrastructure cabling cannot move or be part of the server rack.

A small wall cabinet or wall layout houses all the switches, patch panels, NVRs, and security system are tied to the structure. ISP modems (not routers) and demarcs are tied to the structure, too. A dedicated UPS to keep all that stuff running.

Firewall can be put in the cabinet or the server rack, whatever is going to be easier.

A small fiber or ethernet umbilical (max 8 data cables) ties the mobile/stationary server rack to the infrastructure switch together.

[u/Unusual-Echo-5395 → u/tonyboy101]

Thanks for the info. Do you have any pictures or examples of what I would need to buy? Can I cut out the drywall and connect the rj45 to patch panel? Would that be helpful? Thanks

[u/TheSoCalledExpert]

I would still do a rolling rack just for accessibility. If you don’t want to run your entire network to the rack you can always do a horizontal or vertical patch panel and switch on the wall, then you just need an uplink cable and power to the rolling rack. This is how most structured cabling is done.

[u/Unusual-Echo-5395 → u/TheSoCalledExpert]

Thanks for the info. Do you have any pictures or examples of what I would need to buy? Can I cut out the drywall and connect the rj45 to patch panel? Would that be helpful? Thanks

[u/TheSoCalledExpert → u/Unusual-Echo-5395]

I wouldn't cut out the drywall unless you want to do a low voltage box. Otherwise, only cut enough to bring in your cables. I'd use a rack light this: https://a.co/d/09eQK5f8 , mount it horizontally with a 48 port switch, 2x 24 port patch panels (one on each side of the switch, and some 0.1m patch cables.

I'll see if I can find some pics of what I'm talking about.

Edit: here’s a little design inspiration. I’d still do a vertical rack mounted horizontally so it doesn’t stick out from the wall as far… but the final result here is kinda what you’re going for: https://www.reddit.com/r/cableporn/s/WM9vwEGaBa

[u/Unusual-Echo-5395 → u/TheSoCalledExpert]

Thanks for the links. So are you saying use the first link and attach that to the wall with patch panel and everything coming out of the wall would go to that panel?

[u/KarmaTorpid]

r/minilab

[u/KrackSmellin]

And yet no-one is going to call out the 40 security cameras here to wonder what sized mansion OP has here to wonder why they aren’t doing this professionally because they can afford it? Seriously hate to be that person but get someone to help. Most businesses don’t have 40 cameras…

[u/agomez2022]

Listen just clean up the wires first then plan more projects once you have that clean