Bundle of Wires
The bungee cord idea seems to work as well as anything else I would have come up with, so I’m marking this idea down as a success. The only thing I’d do different is use stretchier bungee (something with a little more give), otherwise, the bungees keep the cabling from being run over by the rack when it’s pushed in or pulled out of the nook.
Now all that’s left is to clean up the mess in the opposite corner of the room.
Wire Managment
So, the latest thing I’m trying to work out is how to manage the dozen or two cables coming out of the back of the server rack, and here’s what I’ve come up with:
I’ve ordered some spiral cable wrap from McMaster Carr to bundle the “wires galore” into a single entity, then I’ll use a bungee cord attached to an eyebolt I screw into the wall behind the cabinet to hopefully help manage the cables when I pull the cabinet in and out of the nook. It’s the best solution I’ve come up with, so hopefull it’ll work.
Once I get it set up tomorrow night I’ll take some pictures.
USB Extender
There are a bunch of things to consider when moving a computer a considerable distance from its display. The first, and most obvious, is cabling to the video output. This, however, is the easiest of the problems to solve. VGA cables can extended fairly long distances without any serious issues (currently I’m using a 50ft VGA cable for the LCD in my setup). If you’re outputting to a device with HDMI inputs, this too isn’t much of a problem. Again, a 50ft cable of sufficient quality should do the trick.
The real problems begin when you start looking to locate other peripherals and input devices in the area of the display. USB has a normal limit of 15ft. Powered USB extenders are available, but they don’t provide much more than another 15ft of distance. In my case, I need a place to connect the bluetooth dongle for my keyboard and mouse, as well as the dongle for the firefly remote I use to navigate in BeyondTV. After researching the issue this morning, I’ve found this product: VIGOR Electronics VAD-1140 USB Extender Hub. Newegg has another similiaar device, but this one is much better reviewed.
Next payday I’ll order one along with a second rack mount case to hold my production PC. Once I get it (the extender) and run it through its paces, I’ll write a review. Stay tuned.
Progress Report (Now with More Pictures)
Last weekend I got some more painting done… nothing major, just the wood trim around the niche opening and the curtain shelf. I still have to do the curtain rod itself, but that’s not a big deal, and then there’s the bit above the sage but below the ceiling. Maybe next weekend.
This afternoon, Phil helped me bring home the server cabinet. Let me tell you, we were both a little worried there was more demolition to do. The first problem was getting it into the office. After sending Phil home and running to Harbor Freight for a new set of metric Allen wrenches, I took the top off the rack and slid through the door with a millimeter or two to spare. I haven’t actually put it into the niche yet (I’m waiting on some cables), but it’s only going to fit with an inch or so to spare. I could say David and I planned it that way.
This is the rack (or at least parts of it).
And this is where it’s going to end up.
After finally getting the rack into the office I installed the TV wall mount I ordered from Amazon. Here’s the trick: if you buy it from Amazon, even though it’s about $6 more expensive than their affiliates, the Amazon free freight policy kicks in and saves you about $15. That’s a little tip from your Uncle Bruce.
I ordered a new rackmount computer case for the server cabinet. I need to get the rails installed on it before I’m sure it’s a winner. Once I’m satisfied, I’ll order one more so I can get both computers into the rack all nice a sweet looking.
So it is… the progress continues.
The New Deck Same as the Old Deck
Update: Mike’s building my deck the weekend of July 8th.
After some back and forth with my deck guy, I think we’ve nailed down the details to a point where now it’s just a matter of him figuring out where in his schedule he can fit my project. We’ve come up with a couple of modifications/improvements that will really make this thing look stellar.
Because Mike has to build it in two sections, I’m going to have him raise the right side up a steps worth. I’m also going to go for the herringbone like layout of the deck boards. The stanchions that stick up will hold hanging flower pots. Instead of steps just in front of the door and railing all around the left side, I’m opting for a wrap around step to allow access from every side of the 4 foot deep section. The drawing isn’t perfect, but I think it’s a reasonable representation of what the final product will look like.
The price… man, I don’t even know where to start. He’s hooking me up big time (I’ve been banking some design work with him for a few years now… gotta love that interest).
I’m hoping he’ll get started in the next couple of weeks, but I know he’s pretty busy. Certainly by the end of July I’ll be drinking ice cold sangria with friends on my new front deck.
