A rack unit is equal to about 1.75". So if an item has a value of 2U, you would multiply 1.75" by 2 to get 3.50". ...more

A two post racks is for smaller equipment and tends to be in smaller offices. They can also act as support for larger server enclosures. ...more

A four post rack has 4 posts instead of two. It also has a larger capacity and a sturdier foundation in comparison to the two post racks. Because the four post racks can hold heavy equipment, they are normally found in serious network set ups. ...more

Cabinets can be considered one of the best approaches for containing all of your network equipment. However, the cooling of the components could cause an issue depending on the physical design and air-conditioning situation in your space. ...more

Yes, lock boxes and other security boxes help protect your valuables. Leaving your devices or valuables unprotected can result in theft. Keeping your valuables secure is always a good idea. ...more

Wall mount enclosures are small enclosures that provide more security than an open frame option, and takes up less floor space compared to a full-size cabinet. ...more

Rack mount power supplies are made to fit in racks and enclosures while also protecting your equipment from power spikes and surges. ...more

Using vertical and horizontal cable managers allow you to neatly organize your cables and wires. The Neat-Patch® allows you to save money, space, time, and frustration. On top of that, the Neat-Patch® will protect the cables bend radius. ...more

Equipment racks can be grounded using bus bars and jumper straps. ...more

If using an open frame rack, fixed shelves, sliding shelves, and swing out shelves will work. However, if using an enclosure, fixed shelves will not allow for easy access to your equipment. ...more

Racks with 42U means that there are 73.5" of internal usable space. (U x 1.75 = inches of internal usable space) ...more

Rack fans helps ventilate your rack enclosures. This will help improve the performance of your equipment and extend its life. ...more

While rack fans do help extend the life and performance of your equipment, if you are using an open rack in a temperature controlled environment, there is no need for rack fans. ...more

Thermal management should not be taken lightly, the components in these racks create a lot of heat and need to be kept cool by rack fans. ...more

Using a patch panel can greatly increase the organization of your wires and cables. Patch panels will allow you to organize your cables in a way that is easy to manage, flexible, and scalable. ...more

Patch panels come in a feed through style, standard punchdown style, unloaded, outside rack, and a telco-style termination. ...more

Patch panels come in two types; ethernet patch panels and fiber optic patch panels. ...more

Rj45 connectors are placed on either end of stranded cable and help the cords make or "patch" a computer to a network. ...more

Yes, Rj45 connectors can be used for both Cat5 and Cat6 cords. ...more

66 and 110 blocks have punchdown points for connecting voice and data wiring. ...more

A network switch is used to connect multiple devices in the same local area network. It helps ensure the communication path is separated and controlled. ...more

Media converters allow you to extend your network; it makes data conversion easier. ...more

Media converters are either Ethernet, VGA, or HDMI. ...more

The 6 types of fiber optic connectors are Straight Tips (ST), Subscriber Connectors (SC), Lucent "Little" Connectors (LC), Ferrule Connectors (FC), MT-RJ Connectors, and Multiple-Fiber Push-On/Pull-Off Connectors (MPO/MTP). ...more

Fiber optic termination in the connection from a fiber cable to a device. It allows for a cross connection and light wave signal distribution. ...more

In order to safely terminate your fiber cable, you will need: safety glasses, a fiber disposal bin, connectors, fiber optic cables, epoxy/syringes or Anaerobic adhesive, polishing film, fiber stripper, scribe, yarn scissors, cable jacket stripper, polishing puck, polishing glass plate, rubber pad, power meter, tracer, reference test cables, LED light source, and a microscope. ...more

Fiber optic enclosures are designed specifically to keep your fiber cables protected. They can also help to keep your cables more organized / tidy. ...more

SC patch panels can only have 24 ports, whereas the LC patch panels can have 24 or 48 ports. ...more

Use a fiberscope at 200x magnification, if contaminated, use the dry cleaning method. Inspect, and repeat if necessary. If the ends are still contaminated, use the wet cleaning method and then dry until it's clean. ...more

Fiber optics must be regularly cleaned. In order to keep the signals reliable and flawless, ensure that the connector end is also contaminate free. ...more

While the two wires are compatible, Cat5 only has a bandwidth of up to 100MHz while Cat6 has a bandwidth of up to 250MHz. ...more

USB Cables can have differing bandwidths, making some be low speed, full speed, high speed, or super speed. ...more

Unlike copper and metal wiring, fiber optic wiring is much more secure for network applications. They can transmit more information, faster, at greater distances, than their counterparts. And if that's not enough, there is no need for grounding or worrying about electrical interference and corrosion! ...more