Hey all,
This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better place to ask.
Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string. For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little luck. I was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to share what this knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a (illustrated) howto somewhere?
-Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney
It's called cable lacing... And CO guys have done it forever. Looks really
pretty, but it's a pain in the butt to do. 
And sucks if you have to rip
a cable out to replace things.
Other than that, check out:
http://www.dairiki.org/hammond/cable-lacing-howto/
Cheers,
Scott
PS. A really good pair of flush cuts (wire snips, but not the "diamond-cut"
ones) will help with the tie wraps too!
Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
Hey all,
This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better place to ask.
Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string. For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little luck. I was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to share what this knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a (illustrated) howto somewhere?
-Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney
Best site I have seen so far:
http://www.dairiki.org/hammond/cable-lacing-howto/
half hitches. I don't know if it has a more specific title than that. If
you wanted to create it on (say) a vertical bundle, you just pass the line
around the back of the bundle then put the working end between the line and
the bundle, and tighten by pulling away from the knots you've already tied.
Repeat this over and over up (or down) the bundle to get your nice pattern
happening.
A benefit of this knot is that if you pull the working end towards the knots
you've already tied, the knot will slide back, so you can tie each knot
quickly then pull it back to the right position, so you get a nice even run
of loops.
You'll need to secure each end of the line with something that can stand
tension at a sharp angle. A quick examination of pikiwedia's knots list
suggests something like an icicle hitch or rolling hitch, but they might be
a bit tricky to tie in tight spaces. I've just tried two half hitches on a
broomstick and it doesn't hold too badly, but I wouldn't guarantee it'll be
safe long term.
As to the line to use, I'd imagine that an office supplies store would
probably have a range of possibilities.
- Matt
[...]
I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with some sort of
waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that repeated
every six inches or so using a single piece of string.
[...]
I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've
seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little
luck.
The kind my vendor was able to get was flat (not the normal stuff). As
far as I know, this stuff is usually surprisingly expensive and / or
comes in large cases. You might just see if the people at your colo can
give you a roll or two, or ask where they order theirs (last time I
asked, they bought it by the case).
I believe this is the stuff I have:
http://www.edmo.com/index.php?module=products&func=display&prod_id=20352
I got it from a local outfit (Danbru - http://danbru.com - great Socal
vendor) at ~ $35/roll, which seemed exorbitant to me.
w
It's called "lacing" and it's been used by telephone guys for ever. Find an older guy and he can probably teach you. 
Try http://www.tecratools.com/pages/tecalert/cable_lacing.html as a starter.
I order it from www.tecratools.com, you can also get the lacing needles and everything else you might need:
A somewhat decent resource:
http://www.tecratools.com/pages/tecalert/cable_lacing.html
Needles and lace:
http://www.tecratools.com/pages/telecom/cable_tools.html
I have seen some Qwest and BellSouth technical documents which go into a little more detail of how they expect it to be done, but go find someone who’s done any kind of cabling in a CO and they can teach you
Return-path: <owner-nanog@merit.edu>
Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the
equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with
some sort of waxed twine
it is called "laced." very common among telephants.
when you leave the colo, you will only be known by your
cable dress.
randy
Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string. For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
As others have already indicated (and with some good links) it's cable lacing.
For how to's .. find anyone that has done a recognised apprenticeship in electrical, telecommunications, RF, or "multiskill" (electical/electromechanical/mechanical) and ask them to teach you (in this day and age of training courses, that probably means finding someone over the age of 35). Also you could ask your friendly local full license, old school radio ham etc etc... It's a dying skill, not because it isn't good, but because it takes training/practice and time. Tiewraps (Zip ties) are cheap, quick and require little (if any) training.
Regards,
Mat
From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu] On Behalf
Of
Steve Rubin
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 4:50 PM
To: nanog@merit.edu
Subject: Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
>
> Hey all,
>
> This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network
> operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better
> place to ask.
>
> Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug
in
> the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly
> tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping
knot
> pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of
> string. For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
>
> I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard,
I've
> seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had
little
> luck. I was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to
> share what this knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a
> (illustrated) howto somewhere?
>
> -Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney
>
>
Best site I have seen so far:
Wiring and Cabling: How To Lace Cable Harnesses
I have recently fallen in love with lacing. It is definitely a very
clean method of securing cables, and is an art form that seems to be
dying with old telco guys.
There are a couple of different stitches, including the Chicago and
Kansas city stitch. The best cord to use is a 6 ply poly lacing cord
that can be purchased from western filament, inc. part#9PRT125W. I
believe that it is about $7.00 per half pound roll, with a $50 minimum
order. Check out chapter 5 of the following Qwest technical publication
for details on how to tie the knots.
On another off topic note, does anyone know the origin of including
mints with telco rack gear? I often see this in rack screw bags,
shelves, adaptors, etc..
-Chris
age of 35). Also you could ask your friendly local full license, old school radio ham etc etc... It's a dying skill, not because it isn't good, but because it takes training/practice and time. Tiewraps (Zip ties) are cheap, quick and require little (if any) training.
When I sat my ham license, tying cables wasn't a component of the course. 
Though of course, many older-school licensees are probably from telco or professional RF backgrounds. (We wont mention how many years _under_ the average age, I am...)
The other thing I found interesting; The use of Zip Ties on Copper Cabling is frowned upon by BICSI. Velcro preferred.
Something to do with the compression on a twisted-pair cable caused by over-tight nylon cable ties screwing with their twist rates, and thus changing their Crosttalk characteristics...
Mark. (Sporting the scars from poorly trimmed cable ties!)
when you get stuck in a DC all damned night you get stinky breath, it's a
hint from your 'friends'...
Someone else already mentioned Tecra Tools. We use Tecra. However, we use Specialized too.
http://www.specialized.net/ecommerce/shop/seriesmaster.asp?series_id=Cable+Lacing+Tools
Our guys prefer the Chicago style straight blade needles since the curved tools are too unwieldy when dealing with high cable density. Here is a picture from one of our datacenters:
http://www.tellurian.com/california/img_8065_std.jpg
We use lacing at all of our facilities. As far as I'm concerned, it is the only way to go.
-Robert
Tellurian Networks - Global Hosting Solutions Since 1995
http://www.tellurian.com | 888-TELLURIAN | 973-300-9211
"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin
looks like a string of half hitchen to me. of course, if you need
something huskier you could do a timber hitch, then a half, repeat as
necessary.
wasn't anyone else here a boy scout?
Dan,
While I do not know the answer, My question on using the wax twine in a climate controlled or colo with fire suppression or even telco colo these days is it allowed under newer NEC since it is flammable and can sustain burning for a period of time. While Telecos do not usually retrofit COs that often after Hinesdale (spelling) in Chicago and the propagation of the fire on non-plemun rated cable all those standards were upgraded. I would check BICSI / NEC codes for your state to see if the materials can still be used or if they have a replacement material.
John (ISDN) Lee
Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
Oh, just a small note on this topic...
Lacing (or even zip tying) doesn't really help a great deal for
tracability and whatnot unless you at least do a rough job of combing
out cables. In fact, failing to do so when you're tying cables down
can kink cables and actually lead to failures since many people haev a
tendancy to overtighten laces.