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[deleted]

Zip ties.


Newbosterone

Duct tape, then zip ties. Why take chances?


[deleted]

Just kidding bro. Let it hang by the cat5


PSUSkier

Why would they call it structured cabling if it weren’t, you know, structural?


IWASRUNNING91

Chef's kiss! The best is when the AC makes it sway back and forth so elegantly.


gollygreengiant

That's by design. "Active heat dissipation"


agent_fuzzyboots

dude, you just triggered a memory, i worked in a datacenter that also had a colo besides it, the only time i went into it was to press a button that a customer called about, one night i went in since Eurovision was on and the customers server was handling the call traffic, and a few servers crashed and they just had a few left limping along. i went in and took a nap (true) until the customer could come in, what i saw in their cage enraged me, two switches and a server was hanging on several cat5 cables, the tech fixed the servers, and i made him rack the switches and server since i threaten that i would end their contract if he didn't fix it. the next day we got a angry call but my boss backed me up.


IWASRUNNING91

I should be shocked...but I'm not lol that's so wild. Idk who would think that's okay to do 🤦 my mom wouldn't even do that


Snowlandnts

Even better weld it in.


Superb_Raccoon

Cinderbock to hold up the back end


Embarrassed-Gur7301

If too high, an extenable paint roller pole.


Superb_Raccoon

I am definitely too high...


kg7qin

No, use the box it came in for support.


i8noodles

duct tape AND zip ties? we dont need to keep it there forever. use maaking tape and some shoe laces and its good enough


OGKillertunes

Come on now. We are all professionals here. You weld that shit on.


diffraa

Weld. JB Weld.


0bel1sk

meta


unusualgato

The funny thing is the main sub is the real joke these days and I feel like we are not far off from this one becoming the place people come for serious help. Which is some weapons grade irony. The main sub would probably tell you that you don't need a switch if you use software defined networking.


Lavatherm

It’s what Darwin? Called natural selection:)


Lower_Fan

There always someone trying to show off how smart they are, and how they work for a big company that spend billions in IT so they would have bought the really good switches for just 10K a pop. and you just need to call your VAR and get those.


OMIGHTY1

Yeah, just plug the horizontal runs into the software! The program comes with RJ45 icons!


i8noodles

we should probably spin off the serious questions to r/shittysysadminFRFR or something. seriously but we prob do need a sub where bad sysadmins can ask questions that are seemingly obvious


DavethegraveHunter

Wait, there’s a main sub? 😱


FreeAndOpenSores

Yep, you are actually meant to attach it to the switch just from those front brackets. Yes, it is stupid. Yes it will sag. Yes it will need to be pushed up to put something under it. But it will work well enough.


unusualgato

Its honestly kinda funny to me op thinks they are a shitty sysadmin because the shitty manufacturer has a shitty mount.


FreeAndOpenSores

One of the guys who trained me as a sys admin advised: "If you're every looking at something in tech and it just totally doesn't make sense. Don't question if you're wrong or stupid, instead think to yourself 'If I were the biggest, most useless, overpaid retard in the entire world, how would I have done this?', and that will probably make it clear what the manufacturer did."


Independent-Tax-2439

So true


OGKillertunes

I just had a rep of our web host of 15 years tell me I need to go to another company because they can't handle our services anymore. I asked them if they were authorized to tell customers to go somewhere else. I am kind of in awe still.


Bagel42

There better be no egress fees


Mental_Sky2226

Are you still waiting for them to reply lol I wanna know what they said after “well uhhhh…”


ee-5e-ae-fb-f6-3c

2 post rail kits are available for a lot of switches, and prevent sag. Highly preferable for OP to buy one and mount the switch that way versus the mounting brackets.


FreeAndOpenSores

The company hired a sys admin who has never put something in a rack before. Do you think they are paying for that lol?


ee-5e-ae-fb-f6-3c

Maybe. It depends on leadership, and whether OP can sell it. Probably not, but it's going to be hard for OP to try if he doesn't even know the option exists. E: of/if keyboard shenanigans.


Engorged_XTZ_Bag

The most questionable ones I can remember were the Cisco 3850s with dual 1100 W power supplies, and those girthy C15 power cables. Those bitches would torque the hell out of their rack ears. Ha


[deleted]

All of my bigger 1u catalysts were very saggy Even the 2u ISRs shipped with crappy little rack ears . Those were fun to mount!


TheTomCorp

Some believe that if you tighten the bolts tight enough and strip them in the process, it won't sag, but in fact, it does and will never be removed.


Deepspacecow12

I didn't realize that they sag even with proper mounts lol, I just thought it was my crappy shop class rack ears.


martyd03

It's not just good, it's good enough! 😒


joetron2030

I've had switches mounted without any additional support in racks for years without any indication of sagging. So, yes, that's how they're meant to be mounted.


Latter_Count_2515

Same, have more than 30 Juniper switches at work and none of them have sagged even after having been mounted 4 years ago.


ee-5e-ae-fb-f6-3c

> I've had switches mounted without any additional support in racks for years without any indication of sagging. If they're mounted by the two front brackets alone, they're definitely sagging to some degree. It's unavoidable if you're mounting a switch from the front. The only way to avoid sag is with a shelf or rail kit.


joetron2030

I just looked at a few of my racks where all of the switches are mounted that way. If they're sagging, it's pretty much an imperceptible amount. I'm not saying they can't sag. I'm just saying that with the switches I've used any sag has been nearly unnoticeable.


ee-5e-ae-fb-f6-3c

That works on racks with super tight tolerances, with switches that aren't particularly heavy, if racked by someone who bothered torquing down the rack screws. If you have a rack full of switches, I'll bet you money that the switches toward the middle and bottom of the rack are much more difficult to unrack than the ones in the top quarter or third. Of course, that doesn't affect performance, and doesn't usually matter until you're tearing down a site.


BmanUltima

> Won’t the torque from the weight of the device cause it to sag and possibly break off eventually Might sag a bit, but it's fine. It's not really that heavy compared to some switches.


unusualgato

OP says they are a shitty sysadmin but I have had this very same fear. I had a nightmare one time that I mounted one of these with just the front brackets and woke up the next day and it had sagged to the extreme and bent like a taco and taken the whole site offline.


NotAnotherNekopan

I did a UPS rollout on a campus a while ago. They required ears to be installed at the front despite the mid mount option working fine for almost all locations. They sagged a bit but it was left like that. I came back to one room to figure out why some had gone offline. There was construction in the area and, thanks to drywall dust and a very clear boot print, a contractor had stepped on them as a foot stool to reach a cable tray at the top of the rack. Lots of twisted metal. After that they still wouldn’t mid mount them, and instead rolled out some really fancy high density cellulose support columns (a chopped up 2x4).


__mud__

Curious why the solution didn't include a sheet of paper that says NOT A STEP


IceCubicle99

This reminds me of one time when I was demoing some gear out of a rack. A UPS was installed around half to 2/3 the way towards the top of the rack. I unscrewed the front ears and went to slide the UPS out. The battery tray slid straight out of the UPS, down three or four feet, and right on my feet. My toes hurt so bad I thought sure one or more had been amputated. I went to my office and shut the door to cry and check. Fortunately they were not. Apparently what one of my fellow shitty sysadmins had done when they last replaced the battery in this UPS, was to not screw down the battery tray....


TightyWhiteyQ

That about removing the battery tray before the dismount. Might make it a bit lighter.


IceCubicle99

Yeah, I usually do that kind of thing with equipment when it's a bit heavier than I can handle. We typically use the standard 2U UPS models and they're usually easy enough to handle on their own.


unusualgato

lmao I love this


BmanUltima

Yeah, I had that thought when I first started getting into this business, but then I saw old switches (that aren't light) mounted the same way that had been like that for a decade or longer, so I stopped worrying about it.


Mental_Sky2226

Now I’m picturing those melty clock paintings except it’s servers n shit…. “Your firmware has been updated to a different state of matter” goddammit Microsoft *literally* vaporized the DC… I didn’t think that’s what they meant by “cloud-based”


theborgman1977

You can turn the tungs of the brackets towards the top of the switch and mount under a desk or permanent shelf. If you do not have a rack to put it in.


Lavatherm

I had a colleague who was clueless when I told him to mount a small field switch under a desk by turning the brackets 90 degrees… was like he saw water burning.


rareHarambe

That’s what I was thinking, that combined with the assurances of everyone here that mounting switches like this is normal has me feeling a lot less nervous about mounting it like this lol.


eldudelio

just throw it on top of other device, it'll be fine, trust me


Brufar_308

Yep, stack from the bottom up! It’s all good


EpexSpex

Yeah bro all my switches are "Stacked"


kg7qin

Shhhh.. That's why they give the small square rubber "feet" in the box with the switch. You are supposed to separate them and place them in on the bottom in the corners. 😀


Xesyliad

If you lift a ceiling tile and put it up there, anyone who goes into that Comms room will wonder why the hell there’s all those network cables going up there.


ee-5e-ae-fb-f6-3c

There are two correct answers to this question, and a third if you have no other options. What you have there is a 2 post rack, generally found in telecom. For more server oriented stuff, you'll usually find the vastly superior 4 post rack. 1. Using screws compatible with the pre-tapped rack holes, secure the switch to the rack using the brackets or "ears" attached to it. This method is least preferable, and your switch absolutely will sag. 2. Get the manufacturers 2-post rail kit for this switch, if they sell one. Contact your VAR and ask for them to find it for you, and quote you. There will be no sag. This is the best, and most preferable option. 3. Do this if you have absolutely no other options. Buy a shelf for a 2 post rack. Set the switch on the shelf, and cry. Try not to bump the shelf. Try to do the 2 post rail kit.


zildar

I would attach the ears to the switch backwards so that the part which mounts to the rack will be in a few inches. That at least gives you a little bit towards the center of gravity on the switch.


SlugBoy42

I came here to say this. Obviously not ideal, but even a little bit of forward weight can be helpful. Cisco is shipping similarly mounted switches still (though the bracket is a tad longer). I wouldn't recommend putting anything on top of it unless you're talking about a feather collection though ...


Nevexo

It’ll sag, all switches do. Just been talking to HPE about this switch, management plane supports IPv6, but the routing engine doesn’t. Supposedly lodged as a feature request for IPv6 routing.


slickITguy

You can flip the bracket 180 to help with weight balance, it’s still only 80/20 ish but better than 100/0 weight distribution.


abqcheeks

The nice thing about 48 port switches is you only need about 30 cat6 cables to safely dangle the switch from the top of the mdf. Plenty of room for expansion! Just stagger the ports you use so it hangs evenly.


kg7qin

Bonus points if you didn't make the cables but bought them. Edit. Damn was supposed to be cables and not cakes. Autocorect got me. 😀


abqcheeks

Always make your own cakes in the machine room. “Heatsink brownies” are my specialty.


pilsinhalierer

most of switches I set up are mounted this way. I never had any trouble.


pegLegNinja1

Just set it on top of anther pice of equipment. Make sure you block the air vent of the machine you set it on so that it maintains a high internal temperature


commsbloke

But once that you have one in, all the switches above it don't need pesky cage nuts and screws.


ehode

Just set it on top of something that is already racked. Just slam the power into whatever power port is close by (even if you have to drape it across systems or pathways). Done and done.


PatReady

Just put it on top of the old one. Cool to be able to keep it as a shelf after paying 200 bucks for it used 9 years ago.


zenkidan

If you make a large enough gap in those patch cables and seat it in there, that should do.


Lavatherm

Just toss it in the cabinet, how it lands will be the perfect spot.


SawtoothGlitch

Bungee cords


Nu11u5

I don't do any rack installs. Can't you flip the bracket 180 so at least the ear is a few inches further back?


Physical-War-2646

What is up with that rack


BmanUltima

It's a two post network rack.


BossManMcGee

Your rack looks like it's missing the clip nuts and screws. You need these to screw the switch to the rack securely. If you do all four screws it will hang there just fine. They wouldn't make two post racks if it didn't support equipment like this.


beedunc

It’ll be fine. Usually these things are bolstered by their neighbors anyway, but it’ll last forever even if it’s all alone. Been there, done that. If you want to ‘help’ it, rotate the brackets 180°, that will center the load a bit.


EpexSpex

Just sit it on top of the rack.


rose_gold_glitter

Rest it on top of another server, the way god intended.


ap0g33

15 years of racking experience here, typical to sag on its own. The idea is if stacked with other items the collective will hold up the saggy boys. I've also been told stacking helps keep the appliances cooler than being stand alone which didn't make any sense to me. A Lot of these perceivably poor form factors are this way because the entire industry decided on it decades back and since then manufacturers advance features and cram more redundancy into higher priced units. May not look safe and may not sit straight on its own but the metals they use will certainly bend before they will shear or snap. They have support solution specific to 2 post racks, but they pricey and hard to justify. https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/1u-2-post-rack-rails-19-inch/apd/a0389974/power-cooling-data-center-infrastructure?tfcid=91049735dgc=opl&gacd=9684992-1102-5761040-266906002-0&dgc=ST&SA360CID=71700000117208879&&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwps-zBhAiEiwALwsVYU7vLq9VejO86NDbvB0ZSvk03Vv9Ma0lE7B6WCFv5rQhAFO_GulKaRoC88kQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


Kritchsgau

First time?


WesBur13

Yep! That’s exactly how most switches mount. You put two screws through the ears and let it sag. Other heavier equipment will come with more substantial mounting hardware, but just ears is the standard for most things. Not a shitty admin, just shitty standards in the industry


Global-Working-3657

Jbweld


Particular_Savings60

You have to get corrective surgery to convert your member to RJ-45 form factor(s). Then mount away!


linuxknight

/r/lostredditors


everfixsolaris

Its like turtles, the next switch down the rack supports it and prevents sag. It's switches all the way down and don't talk about routers.


jerkmin

yes that steel bracket will easily hold it in place on the steel rack. I have a two post rack in my basement with 8, 48 port switches mounted exactly like that, even the really deep POE switches sit straight and don’t slump or sag. you’ll be fine


TheRealDaveLister

Velcro, duct tape, zip ties. In that order. Sideways of course.


evilkasper

Pretty coomon to have the back end of switches sag. If it bothers you: Install a shelf, put it on that.


ThrowbackDrinks

Stupid, yet ubiquitous design. It will sag, but it will hold. Crank down all those screws with 2 ugga-duggas each. Same for the rack screws. You'll worry, then you'll forget to worry and in 6 months you'll have a bunch of other equipment and cabling stacked up on it and those little ear bracket machine screws will be holding on for dear life.


virusburger101

If I learned anything from watching people, work on cars is if you need to connect two things together, a couple self tappers is always the answer.


Dodger67

Duct Tape


Creative_Onion_1440

>Won’t the torque from the weight of the device cause it to sag and possibly break off eventually? Generally they may sag a few mm when mounted only at the front, but with the correct screws these should mount OK eventually.


JBD_IT

Epoxy it to the rack.


GarpRules

You have to contact the union hall and have the gnomes come hold it up.


PlusHead8579

Just dangle it


lawma1zing

Hi, network engineer for a hospital. We have two post racks all around the organization and huge enterprise switches exactly like this. Just screw that bitch on and let it sag. If you can get something underneath it to help support then by all means but otherwise not much else you can do. Broomstick underneath maybe.


D1TAC

Had this instance once, or twice. Get a screw that will thread a little larger in the hole (hehe), even though that 1U would be useless for anything in the future it would work. Or just set the switch on top of something that’s already mounted.


earthly_marsian

They sell trays if you want to be like me.


sitesurfer253

Ethernet cables were meant to be load bearing. Make a cradle on the back of the switch out of cables to alleviate sagging.


autogyrophilia

Very carefully.


murzeig

Just put it on the floor with the rest of the switches. The fuck do you mean mount it? This isn't some graphic novels where you pretend it's the girlfriend you wish you had. Try mounting one of the land whales, I hear they are popular, at least if recent memes are to be believed.


Sirmiketr

Carefully


diamondpeepee

Get a better switch lol.


diamondpeepee

Or a shelf.


alpha417

Weld it.


CheezitsLight

Steel beams don't bend on firewalls.


BrilliantEffective21

super lazy proper way is # Vertical Rack and Wall Mountable Server Rack Mount but .. of course, it's just a one time job and you can't attach anything outwards to it lol


ultravegito2000

Drill baby, drill


ddonky

Drill baby drill


mattmccord

Step 1: cut a hole in the switch Step 2: stick your dick in the switch Step 3: ?


PopNo626

Go to a hardware store and match the machine screws to the holes if rack ear stuff is missing. And buy a bolt hole matching block to compare the rack holes to the correct bolt size. Get washers between the rack ears and bolts used to mount switch to rack


gixy6

Get out the welder (aka internet comment generator), it's the only choice.


DestinyForNone

We've always had to order rail kits for ours... Extreme switches basically work the same.


ComfortableAd7397

Toss in on the ground and forget. This is the way shitty sysadmin does.


SwitchOnEaton

Something like this might work: https://www.racksolutions.com/20in-telco-rack-shelves.html?config=771-2389&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwydSzBhBOEiwAj0XN4DMSL_xr2vEiShFi2CYvS9olb6htrXUH2o1rffpnuAf-Nyk_UMnlhRoCMm0QAvD_BwE


quasifrodo_

That's the neat part: You don't Just stand it up on the floor instead. Surely nothing horrible will happen. This is also a helpful tip when you need to save space in the rack. If anything happens, it's the janitor's fault.


ruffneck_chicken

Don't see the rack entirely, but you need this [this](https://www.titanox.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/150001-2-500x500.jpg)


TheDunadan29

Just place it on top of another switch, server, firewall, or other rack mounted device. No screws needed!


topknottington

serious answer : i'd mount that above another rack mounted device that has a bit more support. shittySysadmin answer : thats a networking problem


genericuser292

Those brackets can hold a surprisingly large amount of weight.


notNezter

Stick it on top of one of the other pieces of equipment. Obviously.


sopwath

The C-shaped profile is fine for network switches most of the time. It will sag a little bit, that’s normal… Make absolutely sure you are using the correct screws for the rack. If you strip out the hole, it’s basically unusable afterwards. Make sure you don’t cross-thread the screw. Do not use some type of impact driver as even garbage rack screws are harder than the aluminum the rack is made of.


Roy_Bert

OP, you can turn those brackets 180 degrees to push the switch a (very) little forward. That will take a (very) little weight off the tail end of the switch. Or buy a rack shelf to mount and lay the switch in the shelf. Dealers choice.


DayFinancial8206

that shelf looks like a good place to leave it, just get the really long cat5 cables


KCMOKCMO

Buy a network rack shelf.


WeeklyMinimum450

The Joy of the good old days. Duct tape.


tommyd2

>Am I actually supposed to secure it to the rack using only these brackets? Won’t the torque from the weight of the device cause it to sag and possibly break off eventually? Yes and no. I've mounted way heavier (i.e Aruba 6300 which is 5.47 kg (12.06 lbs) ) devices using front rack ears only. Heavy devices will sag a bit but nothing will break. Check this [Aruba Instant On 1930 Installation and Getting Started](https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/InstantOn_1930_Switch/InstantOn_1930_IGSG.pdf), rack installation starts on page 24


SaasNoobIQ0

With hopes and dreams