====== Network Tidy-Up 2017 ======

At the end of January 2017, new fibre is being installed for HUBS point of presence at Hacklab.

We need to:

  * rearrange our hardware to make space at the top of the rack for fibre termination.
  * upgrade our router to handle the increased bandwidth that will be made available to us.

We should also take the opportunity to:

  * spread our power usage across a second circuit
  * tidy-up the power distribution to avoid chains of power strips
  * rearrange the shelving for non-rackmount equipment
  * consolidate the power connections for the Raspberry Pis to reduce 13A socket usage

===== Details =====

==== New Rack layout ====

  * top-front is reserved for HUBS and fibre termination
  * top-rear is needed for Hacklab primary switch, router shelf and cable management
  * Hacklab secondary switch can move to mid-rack and be used for servers
  * Replacement Hacklab router (assuming a 1U full-depth) can go mid-rack
  * fit two high-capacity PDUs, attached to different circuits
    * <del>e.g. 2x 12x IEC [[http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272338067146]]</del>
    * e.g. 2x 12x IEC [[http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121997934909]]
==== New Shelf layout ====

  * Tower PCs should have the same front-to-back airflow as the rack
  * Take the top-half or bottom-half of two shelf units, instead of top and bottom of one unit
  * Tower PCs can go on front shelf, Raspberry Pis and console can go on back-shelf
  * More power strips
  * Use a single Anker power supply or 2-3 Ikea USB chargers to reduce cabling for Pis
  * Use a dumb gigabit switch to reduce network cabling (Server LAN only, special cases can keep connecting to the rack switch)

==== Circuit Re-balancing ====

  * Fit an extra twin 13A socket next to the rack on circuit #1
  * Fit two twin 13A sockets next to the rack on circuit #2

Need to:

  * Identify suitable back-boxes for cable conduit: [[http://www.cmsplc.com/trunking-systems/maxi-trunking/cabledec-maxi-trunking/cabledec-plus-maxi-trunking-accessory-boxes.html|cmsplc.com]]
  * Purchase back-boxes, twin sockets, additional cable
    * <del>3x twin backboxes (plus 2x twin and 1x single spares for future projects)</del>
    * 3x http://cpc.farnell.com/crabtree/4306-d/2g-dp-switched-skt-13a/dp/PL11953
    * <del>2.5mm multipack: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6491X-1-5mm-2-5mm-4mm-Single-Core-Conduit-Cable-Wire-Green-Yellow-Earth-/262253607970</del>
  * Arrange access to plant room to switch-off power
  * Schedule downtime (can be mitigated by running essential systems from another circuit)

==== New Router ====

Ideal configuration would be a Dell R610 with two power supplies. RAM requirement is modest (1G).

Software is likely to be BSDRP.