Went to a data center in Phoenix and changed my mind about cable management

I always thought cable management was just for looks until I saw a rack where someone had left everything loose and a fan got jammed. The temp spiked 15 degrees in that one cabinet. Now I actually take the time to zip tie things down properly. Anyone else had a heat issue from messy cabling?

3 comments

3 Comments

webb.stella4h ago

Don't people use Velcro straps for that exact reason?

morgan_jenkins906h ago

Blame the heat spike on bad cable management but that's probably just a crappy fan or poor airflow design in the first place. I've seen racks where the cables are a total rats nest and temps stay perfectly fine because the cooling was set up right. Zip tying everything tight might look clean but it actually blocks airflow in some spots if you bunch cables together too much. The real fix is better fans and layout, not making everything look pretty. If your cooling system can't handle a few loose cables you got bigger problems anyway.

faithrodriguez4h ago

Wait wait wait, did you just say zip tying cables tight can actually block airflow?! I've been spending hours making my racks look all neat and pretty thinking I was helping temps. My whole life is a lie right now lol