8p8c and 16p16c connectors, network switch, and system and method of racking and cabling switches and servers

Abstract

An male modular connector (e.g., 8P8C) has a first set of electrical contacts on a first side and a second set of electrical contacts on an opposite, second side; and an elongated housing (in comparison to the IEC standards) so as to allow for the retaining clip of the male modular connector to be shifted farther back so as to not interfere with the connection between the pins and the electrical contacts of a female modular connector. A network switch has a non-cuboidal housing comprising two or more sidewalls, each sidewall comprising a plurality of female connectors (such as 8P8C, 16P16C, fiber optic, or other connector); and wherein some or all of the female connectors are parallel to the sides of the cabinet. The network switch is mounted from the front of the cabinet, with cables running horizontally to other cabinets and various mechanisms for protecting, organizing and managing the cables.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of mounting computer networking components in a cabinet, the method comprising:
 coupling a first bracket to a first side of a switch, the first bracket extending longitudinally from a front side of the switch;   coupling a second bracket to a second side of the switch, the second bracket extending longitudinally from the front side of the switch;   sliding the switch into the front of the cabinet and positioning the switch so that the rear of the switch is flush or near flush with the rear of a server in the cabinet; and   fastening the first and second brackets to a respective front cabinet post.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is positioned between a plurality of servers in the cabinet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 coupling a first sliding rail to a first side of the server;   coupling a second sliding rail to a second side of the server; and   coupling the first and second sliding rails to the cabinet, wherein the server is slidably positionable within the cabinet, and extendable to a position outside of the cabinet without decoupling therefrom.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the switch from the cabinet without removing power distribution units or network cables. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising running cables through a cutout in the first or second sliding rail to an adjacent cabinet. 
     
     
         6 . A method of mounting computer networking components in a plurality of cabinets, the method comprising:
 placing a first cabinet, a second cabinet, and a third cabinet adjacent to one another, the second cabinet interposed between the first and third cabinets;   placing a plurality of servers in each of the first and third cabinets using a plurality of server rails;   placing a plurality of servers and switches in the second cabinet using a plurality of server rails and switch rails; and   running cabling horizontally between each of the cabinets.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a plurality of cutouts located in one or more of the server rails and switch rails. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a plurality of channels, each channel located within a weight-bearing bracket formed from a series of combined rails. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a cable channel adjacent to a fixed rail. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a weight-bearing cable management system mounted behind at least one switch. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a plurality of cabling channels in each of the cabinets. 
     
     
         12 . A system for mounting computer networking components in at least one cabinet, the system comprising:
 at least one switch comprising a first and second bracket coupled thereto, the brackets extending longitudinally from the front of the switch and couplable to the front of the cabinet; and   at least one server comprising a first and a second sliding rail coupled thereto, the sliding rails coupled to the respective cabinet allowing the server to slidably extend to a position outside of the cabinet.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising at least two cabinets, wherein cables run horizontally between the at least two cabinets using cutouts or channels. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a plurality of channels, each channel located within a weight-bearing bracket formed from a series of combined rails. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a cable channel adjacent to a fixed rail. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a weight-bearing cable management system mounted behind at least one switch. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the cables are run horizontally using a plurality of cabling channels in each of the cabinets. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  comprising a first cabinet, a second cabinet, and a third cabinet adjacent to one another, the second cabinet interposed between the first and third cabinets; a plurality of servers in each of the first and third cabinets; a plurality of servers and switches in the second cabinet; and running cabling horizontally between each of the cabinets. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cabling is run horizontally between the at least two cabinets using cutouts or channels. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cabling is run horizontally using a plurality of channels, each channel located within a weight-bearing bracket formed from a series of combined rails.