[AusNOG] Switch installation in data centre racks - front facing, or rear facing?

[Peter Tiggerdine]

Depends on the way the fans spins and what's best for thermal dynamics.

Some of the Cisco, juniper and Brocade kit you can get fans that spin
in either direction. if so then I tend to put ports in the cold isle
and suck the air through the switch by preference. This is largely to
carter for hot SFP's like QSFP's, XENpacks etc.. and the like. Also
working in the cold isle tends to be easier.

Cables passing through the racks isn't a bad thing as long as rack
dimensions carter for it (yes Fuj I'm looking at you >:( ).

Regards,

Peter Tiggerdine

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On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 9:02 AM, James Cunningham <jjazza26 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> This is an age old discussion that I have had with many people over the
> years, but am keen to find out what other people think about installing
> switches into data centre racks.
>
> Say for example you have 4 network switches to install into a rack (standard
> 600mm rack), along with 20-30 1RU and 2RU servers.
>
> Would you install the switches facing forwards, or install the switches
> facing backwards?
>
> The way I see it, there are various pros and cons of each approach:
>
> FORWARD FACING
> PROS
> Easy to install and remove the switch from the front of the rack, as power
> cords are not in the way
> Most switches expect this installation for air flow, but some switches do
> have reversible fans.
>
> CONS
> You must route the cables from the front of the rack, to the back of the
> rack where the server network ports are, leading to cable clutter within the
> rack.
>
> REAR FACING
> PROS
> Cable distance and cable mess going from the switches to the servers is alot
> less.
>
> CONS
> When it comes to removing the switch, it's very difficult with a fully
> loaded rack, as the power cables tend to get in the way from the vertical
> PDUs at the back.
>
> Has anyone else had some detailed thoughts about the best way to rack mount
> data centre network switches?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> James
>
>
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