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  1. #1
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    Nov 2011
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    Cable routing on 1U servers

    We just got done building a round of 1U servers with Supermicro boards in Supermicro chassis. Those of you who still build your own gear, how do you deal with the ATX power connectors? It seems like no matter what, they're destined to get smashed up against the top of the case. And although there are right-angle adapters, the ones I've seen would smash the power cable against the power supply or the memory. What do the rest of you do? Is there some trick I haven't discovered yet?

  2. #2
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    Ottawa, Canada
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    424
    I think a little bit of mashing is pretty normal

  3. #3
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    Dec 2002
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    Chicago
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    I've always had to smash the PSU cables down aswell, basically ever since I can remember. Pizzaboxes end up being the worst offender in my experience.
    -DPI
    Chicago's #1 Datacenter Technician

  4. #4
    I would agree with the other posts. In our experience we have to smashed to fit. Some chassis are also worse than others.
    Ocity Hosting, LLC.Racked & Ready Dedicated Servers
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  5. #5
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    Apr 2008
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    United States, MI
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    769
    You're reminding me of the "good ole' days" on DL360s.

    So glad we moved to 380s...

    Also, here's a down vote to cable management arms. Whoever thought those were a good idea, were wrong.
    Steven Crothers
    No BS cloud engineer and Red Hat architect.

  6. #6
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    Okay, well, as long as we aren't the only ones! Thanks for the reassurance!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    The 1U dual PSU chassis is far more difficult than the single PSU.
    REDUNDANT.COMEquinix Data Centers Performance Optimized Network
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
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    Ashburn VA, San Diego CA
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    4,615
    A combination of rolling the cable the right direction and zip ties can keep it from pushing on the cover, and other stuff like RAM.
    Fast Serv Networks, LLC | AS29889 | DDOS Protected | Managed Cloud, Streaming, Dedicated Servers, Colo by-the-U
    Since 2003 - Ashburn VA + San Diego CA Datacenters

  9. #9
    Rolling the cable to the side usually allows you to tuck it firmly and out of the way. Zip ties also help keep things neat and avoiding other components. One trick if routing cables along the edge of the mobo is don't clip the zip ties short, instead tuck the protruding piece under the mobo to "secure" the cord in place so it doesn't shift.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Indiana, USA
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    937
    Thanks for bringing this up, @FRH Lisa! We usually just smash it down as well, but that does seem to be the tightest thing pushing on the 'hood' of the chassis. I like the idea of zip ties, will have to try that on our next builds.
    Jason Canady • Unlimited Net, LLC
    812.669.0551 • sales [at] unlimitednet.us
    Midwest Hosting Solutions • AS11990
    Dedicated Server Hosting

  11. #11
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    Nov 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by datarealm View Post
    Rolling the cable to the side usually allows you to tuck it firmly and out of the way. Zip ties also help keep things neat and avoiding other components. One trick if routing cables along the edge of the mobo is don't clip the zip ties short, instead tuck the protruding piece under the mobo to "secure" the cord in place so it doesn't shift.
    Thanks for the tip -- but how do zip ties keep the cable from smashing into the top of the case? The ATX power connector comes straight up so no matter what, those cables are bending at a 90 degree angle with very little space. Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by FRH Lisa View Post
    Thanks for the tip -- but how do zip ties keep the cable from smashing into the top of the case? The ATX power connector comes straight up so no matter what, those cables are bending at a 90 degree angle with very little space. Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.
    Most of the chassis we have seen recently have tie down points. You can tie down the cables to keep them near the base. The wires into ATX connectors do have some flexibility and should bend if properly tied down.

    The issue we commonly see is that zip-typing is a time-consuming pain.
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