Making everything identifiable.
WHAT TO LABEL
Every rack Every unit position Every device Every cable, at both ends Every port Every power circuit
WHAT A CABLE LABEL SHOULD SAY
Where the other end is: device and port.
WHY BOTH ENDS
So a cable can be traced from either direction without following it physically.
WHAT TO USE
Durable labels that do not fall off or fade.
WHY
Handwritten tape fails within a year, and then nothing is identifiable.
WHAT CONVENTION TO ADOPT
One, consistently, written down.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A DEVICE LABEL
The name used in your records and monitoring.
WHY
So a monitoring alert names something findable in the hall.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That labels match records, periodically.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND
Labels for equipment removed years ago.
WHAT TO DO AT DECOMMISSIONING
Remove the labels with the equipment.
WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY WHEN A CABLE IS MOVED
Relabel it.
