networkingrack
Lets say I have a forward facing switch, but all the server's NICs are rear facing. What is the proper way to get the CAT cables from the front to the rear of the rack in a way that doesn't open an air-flow hole(s)?
A patch panel seems like overkill to me, but let me know if I am wrong…
UPS location
Bottom. Really. All that lead acid out-weighs a solid steel server any day. You want that in the bottom. Unlike servers, it'll get pulled out next to never. It'll provide stability in the bottom of the rack. Also by not putting all that weight at the top, your rack is less likely to act like a metronome in the case of some heavy rocking.
Switches vs. Patch Panels
Depends on your config, but for a 24U I'd lean towards switches. Or if possible, external patch-panels that then feed cables into your rack.
Cable Management Arms, or, what length of cable do you need
For 1U servers, I've stopped using the arms. I'll undress the back of the server if I need to pull it out (label your cables!). For 2U servers I have no firm opinion, but for larger server the arm makes sense.
I like to use 1U front and rear cable management above and below my patch panels. This mostly applies to 2-post installs... As for the cabling bundle, it should be secured zip-tied and routed appropriately...
However, a 4-post example from my past...
Size the run, bundle with slack, secure along the side of cabinet...
Best Answer
You'll probably want a brush strip. It sits below the switch and you feed the cables through it to the back of your servers.