Connecting Ethernet Cables
Context
To connect cables in a cabinet more conveniently, you can remove the side panels of the cabinet before connecting cables.
When cables with large diameters are used in an N66E cabinet, there may not be sufficient space for the cables. For example, if Category 6 cables are used on 48-port electrical interface cards in an N66 cabinet, the front door of the cabinet may be unable to close.
- Ensure Ethernet cables have a stable environment. There should be no external power cables in contact with Ethernet cables or devices at either end of the Ethernet cables, as external power cables may damage the devices or Ethernet cables through leakage current.
- When connecting Ethernet cables to a copper module, organize the cables and wrap them up at the position parallel with the cabinet to prevent the cables from hanging down naturally and to prevent the copper module from being affected when the cables are routed.
- To avoid hindering the insertion or removal of the Ethernet cable of a copper module and the use of ejector levers, install the copper module in an optical port further from the ejector levers.
Tools and Accessories
- ESD wrist strap or ESD gloves
- Phillips screwdriver
- Diagonal pliers
- Cable ties
- Ethernet cable labels
- Tweezers (delivered with the switch)
Procedure
- Determine the number and type of ports to be connected and plan the cabling route.
- Select Ethernet cables of appropriate quantity and lengths based on the number of ports and measured cabling distances.
- Attach temporary labels on both ends of each Ethernet cable and write numbers on the labels. For details on how to number Ethernet cables, see Engineering Labels for Network Cables.
- (Optional) Route Ethernet cables on the planned path. Arrange the Ethernet cables straight, bundle the Ethernet cables (at most 20 cables in a bundle), and route them to a cabinet through the cable tray. Lead the Ethernet cables into the cabinet from the right side.
- Wear an ESD wrist strap or a pair of ESD gloves. When wearing an ESD wrist strap, insert the other end in the ESD jack of a device and ensure that the device is reliably grounded.
- Connect Ethernet cables to ports of the switch.
- (Optional) Find the ports matching the numbers on the Ethernet cables, cut the cables to the required cable length, and crimp connectors on the Ethernet cables.
- Plug the Ethernet cable connectors to the matching ports. See Figure 9-18. After verifying that all Ethernet cables are correctly connected, go to step 7.
If any Ethernet cable is incorrectly connected, use the tweezers delivered with the switch to remove the cable.
- Bundle Ethernet cables. Arrange Ethernet cables, put them through the cable management frames on the corresponding slots, and lead the cables out of the cabinet from the right side of the cabinet. Bundle Ethernet cables with cable ties at intervals of 20 cm to 30 cm. Use diagonal pliers to cut off redundant cable ties.
When a lot of cables are connected to a card, the cable management frame for this slot may not have sufficient space. In this case, deploy cables in three layers without crossing each other, and then put the three layers through the cable management frame. See Figure 9-19.
- Replace all the temporary labels with permanent labels on the Ethernet cables.
