How to Label a Data Center?

Data centers are large infrastructures, where hundreds or even thousands of network systems can be housed. An IT infrastructure consists of separate units accommodated in server cabinets or racks. The number of such units differs, depending on the type of facility and its size.

To unite different parts of one infrastructure and ensure smooth communication between all system components, cables are used. They stretch through a data center room to connect units and make a system work as a single unit. Thus, the number of cords can total several thousand or even exceed this figure.

When system administrators deal with big bundles of wires laid together, it can harden and slow down maintenance and troubleshooting. Below, we’re going to discuss how to label cables in data center.

Types of Labels

Depending on the applied places, different types of labels are used. The specifics of the application are determined by the function of the software, to which it’s applied:

1. Server labels. This option deals with filtered data. Typically, these are URLs with extra information from HTTP request headers. This peculiarity allows for focusing on data filtration, enhancing higher productivity and more effective performance.
2. Network labels. Such solutions are essential for structured cabling systems. The use of such marks will simplify troubleshooting and maintenance, reduce the number of human errors, and save time and money.
3. Cable labels. This class of products embraces heat-shrink tubing, cable flags, non-adhesive tags, and wrap-around and laminated labels. Such accessories are applied for the assembly, identification, and repair of electrical control panels, data/telecommunications systems, and wire harnesses.
4. Computer and laptop labels. It’s a huge class of items, where the following options are offered: vinyl and polyester asset, tamper VOID, destructible tamper evident, mini mark asset, asset tracking, aluminium and ID plates, QR codes, and data matrix labels. The main purpose of such items is to protect the asset acquisition against theft.
5. IT equipment labels. These solutions are used to improve the accountability of valuable network hardware. The attachment of such items as barcode labels, reliable asset tags, and a secure RFID tag, allows for monitoring and tracking equipment.

The combination of these items helps specialists troubleshoot equipment more quickly, track hardware, and, generally, simplify data center infrastructure maintenance.

So, as you see, designating goes far wider than just changing the cords. However, we’re going to concentrate on the most effective strategies for marking wires.

Benefits of Data Center and IT Equipment Labelling

Wire marking techniques are widely used by technicians and the maintenance staff. Such practices have been developed for years. So, before we get down to the topic, let’s mention the key reasons why system administrators prefer to use these techniques. The following advantages determine a high demand for marking strategies:

• Diagnostics. Before the maintenance staff proceeds to repairs or other active actions, they always study the infrastructure for integrity and other disruptions. When troubleshooting system breaks or hardware malfunctions, maintenance works start with diagnostics. Marking cords helps reduce the time spent on this procedure, speeds up system recovery, and simplifies the staff’s efforts in identifying malfunctions.
• Reduce downtime. If some system components function improperly, it will lead to downtime. Downtime can be caused by both equipment failure or cord raptures or breaking. The speed of problem identification directly affects equipment downtime, which usually means loss of money for businesses. If cables are the reason for system downtime, technicians try to find them ASAP. However, when a bundle consists of hundreds of wires, this task turns out to be challenging. Thus, quick detection of the problem can save money for businesses, prevent data loss, and ensure smooth system rebooting. 
• Costs. If you calculate the expenses for all the accessories and supplements, the cost of data center cable labeling will be more effective and reasonable than possible expenses caused by durable downtime. Consumables cost cheaper than hardware that can be damaged during poor system setup. 
• Loss of stocks. The use of barcode marks allows for preventing inventory losses. When each component is marked, it’s easier to find it. Makings stands as a guarantee of equipment safety and the prevention of accidental loss.
• Theft prevention. By labelling hardware or any accessories, owners show their property rights, which allows for preventing theft attempts. If someone gets your property illegally, you’ll be able to find it quickly and easily and prove the belonging of the hardware to you.
• IT asset and Inventory management. This option allows for identifying network problems, coordinating activities, and securing correct replacement parts.

These points justify the need to use labelling techniques, since they make the process of data center arrangement easier. Besides, marking hardware and accessories comes as an effective solution to secure valuable and expensive devices and prevent illegal unauthorized actions.

Materials and Tools Required for Cable Labeling

Cord marking requires thorough preparation, since it’s necessary to get tools and equipment. Once dealing with labels, technicians should have a list of equipment to produce and apply them. If you have a clear vision of what you need, you can proceed to the production stage. Label production requires specific hardware, including:

• label printers;
• permanent markers;
• materials for labels, depending on their types (polyester, vinyl, etc.).

The modern printing industry offers high-quality printers that are designed to cope with products of any complexity level. High requirements are set for label printers, since they should apply colors and other information precisely, guaranteeing durability and wear resistance.

A permanent marker is another important tool that allows for applying labels effectively and durably. When selecting a suitable marker, it’s necessary to pay attention to its heat resistance, fading properties, etc. Depending on the applied surfaces, the list of criteria will differ.

Finally, you require labels themselves. As mentioned above, they can be produced from different materials, such as vinyl, polyester, aluminium, etc. How to select the needed material? You need to realize for what hardware or wires you need labels and consider their physical properties. Their physical characteristics will point to the most essential parameters. Next, study the physical characteristics of materials to find the perfect match and ensure compliance with heat standards.

Besides, scanners and inventory management systems can be used to simplify label monitoring and maintenance. They play a key role in the post-marking phase.

Guide to Labeling Cables

Finally, let’s make detailed guidelines on how to arrange labelling cables in a server room. By following the next steps, you’ll ensure smooth and correct marking, avoiding common mistakes during routing and arranging wires.

• Plan the actual marking system. Planning comes as an important part of a network system arrangement. It’s impossible to design an efficient marking system without preplanned methods and techniques. Thus, before you get down to practice, you should prepare a visual manual. This approach will simplify the marking procedure.
• Choose appropriate types of labels. Thus, you should evaluate the available items and select suitable markers, based on their physical characteristics. For instance, if cords heat well, labels should be heat-resistant and do not change their physical properties under the influence of high temperatures.
• Develop a layout and design diagrams. Effective installation and wiring depend on a pre-made layout that reflects of features of a server rack setup. If you create a 3D visualization or a scheme, you’ll cope with the task more quickly and easily. Visual manuals will also be used for future maintenance and quick troubleshooting.
• Buy all the necessary staff. Make sure to have all the consumables and accessories needed during the marking process. You can find all the necessary accessories for organizing data center cables in the product catalog for rack mount cable management.
• Apply them to cords. Once you’re packed with all the needed items, mark wires in accordance with your plan.
• Document marking strategies. Once labeling is over, make sure to document what cords are marked with what colors or sticks. Or you can use a previously arranged layout. Labeling practices must be standardized. Imagine when a group of technicians services the system, but they do not have a common understanding of marking designations. In this case, labeling will be useless. Anyway, documenting labeling strategies will help simplify the work of the maintenance staff, meaning that the troubleshooting period (and system downtime) will be reduced.

Data centers have firmly routed the life of modern society. The rise of digital technologies led to the emergence of server rooms responsible for data storage and processing. No business environment can exist without a network system so DCs are set up globally.

DCs are huge arrangements of network equipment. To unite system components cables are used. They come as IT system “veins” that stretch through cabinets and units, enabling the system to perform as a single organism and ensuring smooth connection and communication between hardware.

However, in trying to connect all the required units, the number of wires can reach several hundred or even exceed a thousand, which significantly hardens troubleshooting and maintenance. Labeling comes as an effective strategy to identify cords and simplify maintenance. Besides, marking hardware allows an organization to prevent theft or inventory losses.

Note that the marking process requires thorough preparation, including item collection, the choice of appropriate labels, creating a layout, and documenting routes. However, if you stick to the above-provided guide, the marking process won’t cause problems.