[Mr240sx]

First things first I don't know what kind of Cat6 wire to buy, thats kind of important. Otherwise, I need a list of tools (a toolkit I guess you could say) I will need for installing everything. I have a rough idea of what I'll need such as
a Punch down tool
cable stipper
cable tester
but what else will I need?

I also would like to buy a used server cabinet but I'm unsure if they're all modular and parts from various racks such as patch panels and such will fit with no issues. Some suggestions would be great.

 

[Oedipus]

As far as wire is concerned, the best options are Belkin and Commscope, but monoprice CAT6 works fine too. As far as tools are concerned, Fluke and Klein are good options. Again, though, a monoprice RJ45 crimper and punchdown tool will work ok. I think they sell the stripper tool, too. Cable testers are a dime a dozen. Any of them will work.

Racks come in a few different forms: they can be two post or four post in varying heights and depths, at least two different widths, and some of them have threaded posts (not preferable) or they have square holes for cage nuts. If the rackable item is the right width for the rack and not too deep for the rack, it will fit.

 

[Mr240sx]

I asked about the cables because I'm seeing words like Riser, Plenum, Bare wire, Stranded, etc. Not sure what to get. Whats the difference between the kinds? As far as I know I only need in-wall rated cable. Also, are monoprice keystones good enough?

So I need the following tools then?

• Crimper
• Punchdown tool
• Tester
• Stripper?

For a cabinet I'm looking at this kind.
http://www.dollarpaisa.com/uploadedimages/server%20rack,server%20cabinet,data%20rack,data%20cabinet,wall%20mount%20rack393217.jpg

Also, could you give me an Idea of what I'd want for one of those cabinets? A couple shelves, maybe a drawer, etc? I'm not entirely sure what I should do for power management such as an APC or surge protectors either. Also should I have the wire terminated at the wall near the cabinet or inside the cabinet at a patch panel?

 

[Oedipus]

Plenum is for runs in, well, plenum spaces. Plenums are spaces that handle air flow. I wouldn't worry about this in a residential setting, but it's against fire code to not have plenum cable in a plenum space. Riser cable is similar to plenum cable in that it has some special fire-rated jacket on it, but this is also a common form of bulk cable so this is probably what you'll end up with unless you buy plenum cable. Stranded cable is typically used for patch cords because it is more flexible, but I've never seen it actually used in bulk form and I don't recommend using it unless you have to. It's probably harder to punch down correctly. There's also outdoor and gel-filled cables, which you needn't bother with.

Those are the correct tools. If you're handy, you can use an xacto knife for the stripping. All you're doing is cutting the pvc/vinyl jacket off the cable.

Those racks are probably the kind with the square holes, which means you need to get some cage nuts. You can put whatever you want in there. You can get rackmount PDUs and UPSes and all kinds of stuff. Ultimately, your budget will be the limiting factor because rackmount hardware tends to be pricey.

Monoprice keystones aren't great, but they work. Do not get the toolless keystones unless you want to yell a lot of four letter words. Ideally, you terminate all your CAT6 drops to the patch panel and then run patch cables from the panel to your switch(es). See here:

 

[Mr240sx]

Is this kind of what you're talking about for cage nuts?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/x25sets-10-32-Slide-On-Clip-Nuts-Screws-Washers-For-Server-Rack-Cabinet-/190725706699?pt=US_Rackmount_Cabinets_Frames&hash=item2c682353cb

I was looking at this cabinet, although it might be too tall. Could you suggest some high quality cable and better keystones than monoprice or should I be fine? I just want the most for my money and monoprice seems to provide that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Damac-Server-Rack-Cabinet-/111019379776?pt=US_Rackmount_Cabinets_Frames&hash=item19d9454c40

 

[Oedipus]

Those nuts would work. This is the more traditional style, though:

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-Server-Cabinet-Computer-CABCAGENUTS6/dp/B00519BF2W

Just an FYI: There's a few different thread styles, roughly equivalent to metric, coarse and fine. I think the imperial ones are 10/32.

That rack looks really shallow. If that's the case, you'll find that a lot of rackmount servers are deeper than you would think. Been there, done that. Extensions, if they're available, are highway robbery. I know one extension that we bought for a 24U rack cost more than the rack itself.

If you want really nice data hardware like jacks, connectors, cable, and even rack components, look no further than Black Box. Their prices will send you back to monoprice, though. I use the monoprice keystones in my house and they work fine, but we use the good stuff at client installs.

Another company to check out is Panduit, but I think they focus more on the rack hardware (patch panels, cable management, etc.) than on the wiring itself.

 

[Mr240sx]

84"H x 28"W x 30"D. Is it deep enough?

So I guess I'll be fine with monoprice keystones, but the electrical inspector had said he wants to see american made cables. Do you know any suppliers?

 

[Oedipus]

It's not deep enough for full size servers, but that may not be an issue for you. Typically a rack is at least 42 inches deep.

As for the cable,

http://www.firefold.com/CAT6-Bulk-Cable-Solid-Plenum-USA-BLU

The non-plenum kind is not made in the USA.

 

[Mr240sx]

I don't mean to burden you but could you compile a set of links for all of those tools? I really don't know exactly what I'm looking for to be honest.

 

[Oedipus]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050901&p_id=3352&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050901&p_id=3355&seq=1&format=2 (I don't like the stripper included on the above tool)
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051305&p_id=7266&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10513&cs_id=1051309&p_id=5379&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=105&cp_id=10509&cs_id=1050903&p_id=7043&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10418&cs_id=1041801&p_id=4682&seq=1&format=2

Just add your CAT6 du jour. I have a link for my preferred cage nuts up in one of the earlier posts.

 

[Mr240sx]

Just out of curiosity, could I buy cables in 50, 75, and 100ft lengths as needed? It's cheaper this way and allows me to choose multiple colors, yet I think its more expensive per foot of wire. $62 for 450ft of wire, vs $105 for 1000ft. I just don't need 1000 feet of cable.

I do not know a whole lot at all about these Server Cabinets, so whats bolded I don't know much about.
So for the Cabinet I'll need:
Hardware such as

• cage nuts & bolts
• shelves
• fans
• possibly a drawer
• patch panel
• APC of some sorts?

Where do the wires come into the cabinet? at the top? at the back? Do the cage nuts slip in between a couple mounting rails and whatever you're mounting? For a patch panel are they incredibly expensive and can I find a good one for not too much? I suppose the cabinet needs some sort of power delivery or something and an APC would be nice. What do those cost?

 

[Mr240sx]

bump