[TriLUG] Labelling conventions...

[Matt Pusateri]

I'd get one of these or similar:  
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=644167  It does flag 
labels and wrapping labels, which are incredibly valuable.  Don't under 
estimate a flag label that says "Main internet connection" or similar 
for mission critical "Don't Unplug" type cables.  I have multiple suites 
and rooms, so I do things like sw130s0301, which boils down to equipment 
type (sw=switch) 130 is the suite number  S is Server room(or T for 
Telco room) 03 is the rack, 01 is the unit.  You can use RT for rtr, PW 
or power strip(if managed).   I find that generic names sometimes make 
it hard to find things, when I have a problem I want to know where to 
look physically.   Bottom line is find a system that works for you *and 
document it*,  make sure the lowest common denominator can understand 
it.  Don't forget to label power cables as well!  Let's say your not in 
the office, can you easily explain to someone what they are looking 
for.  I also do things like make all my un-firewalled cables Red, switch 
uplinks are Green, cross over cables are orange, etc.  Color coding can 
get crazy real fast and you have to commit to having extra cables lying 
around or someone uses the wrong color cable and the whole scheme goes 
to pot.  I try to only color code a very small subset of very important 
things.  Maybe you use a purple cable for your VPN uplink and that's the 
only place you use it.  Nice to be able to tell someone go unplug the 
only purple cable you see :)



Matt P.




Chris Knowles wrote:
> So, we're finally upgrading/refreshing/ripping-out-and-replacing our
> network here at $COMPANY. 
>
> I have inherited a rat's nest network, wires completely unlabeled, no
> wire management... it's crazy.
>
> So I'm working to make things better... 
>
> However, the thing that's giving me fits... labeling the wires.  I don't
> want to just label them 1, 2, 3, 4, and I also don't really want to
> label them "Jim's PC" "Mary's PC" etc... (This is how several labels
> here are currently, which is really handy as there hasn't been a Mary in
> that building for 5 years now... )
>
> So I was wondering what you network admins out there might do... Or any
> good websites on the subject... My Google-fu is weak at the moment.
>
> Thanks again...
> CJK
>