Patch Panel Spreadsheet Software
Jim Tiffin, Jr.Oneida Indian NationProblemTrying to keep track of what each wire does within a building`s infrastructure can be difficult and time-consuming.SolutionUse Microsoft Excel to maintain a list of vital information and massage the data to provide quick insights on everything from specific devices to locations and user names.ProcedureImagine that you have a 200-pair backbone cable between the equipment room and a closet, and you need to manage its use. In Excel, use the first row to type (in bold) the headings of each column of information that the installer needs for tracking pair usage.Include a border line beneath each heading to help Excel separate the header row from the list rows.Type in about 10 to 15 pair numbers in the corresponding column, then enter all the other information in their corresponding columns. (Be consistent with word use; for example, Excel considers abbreviations as separate words.)Before entering the rest of your other pair numbers, try out Excel`s filtering and sorting features to make sure it`s providing the information you need.For Excel to recognize your list, you must have an 'active' cell within the list. Move your cursor to the first column and the first row beneath the header row. Go to 'Data' on the menu bar and choose 'Filter.' Choose 'AutoFilter' from the new window.Your header row should now have small down-arrows next to each column title.
Josh, Patch panel management is a great point and is on our long term road-map. And you are right regarding the basic structure being in place with addition of non-IP based assets in the upcoming asset and inventory management module. QR codes for this is also a really cool idea and would save lot of time working with cables if implemented correctly.
- Cabling documentation can easily be kept in a spreadsheet file. Each line has one client or device, while columns contain information about the switchports used and patch-panel connections. There's no need for something sophisticated because documentation has to be handy. A spreadsheet file would be just fine.
- While forcing Microsoft to improve its software to the point where it never needs patching is beyond my power, our Microsoft patch-tracking Excel spreadsheet can help you manage the fixes it does.
Click on one of them. In the 'Device' column, for example, you`ll see another window that shows 'All,' 'Top 10,' 'Custom,' and then an alphabetized list of all the entries in that column. By picking one of these entries, Excel will filter your list so that it only contains the rows that match your selection-handy if your boss wants a printout of all the modem numbers at a certain facility.
Or if your boss wants just the fax numbers for the finance department, you can do a double-filter by choosing 'Fax' from the 'Device' column and 'Finance Department' from the 'Location' column.Experiment with other filtering features. 'Top 10' lets you choose the highest or lowest values; for example, to find cables with the highest scores from a list of test results obtained from a scanner. 'Custom' lets you find all entries that contain a certain word; for example, when you want to show all the pairs that terminated on the white-blue (W/Bl) cable pair.Experiment with the sorting features. Go to 'Data' on the menu bar and choose 'Sort,' then the type of sorting you want-multiple or singular. For instance, instead of sorting your cable based on pair number, you can see it alphabetically by user, or even numerically by phone.If you`re happy with Excel`s filtering and sorting features as they pertain to your cable-management task, enter the remaining pair numbers and their associated information.
Spreadsheet Software For Windows 10
Save the file.Print out the entire spreadsheet of your data to be kept on-site for everyone to write down moves, adds, and changes. Download mozilla 2.0.0. Incorporate updates regularly on your Excel program.
(And, as always, make a backup copy!) Click here to enlarge imageBy using Excel`s 'Sort' feature, you can determine the length, headroom, or even the cable number for all of your Category 5 cable in a certain building. You can also 'filter' out the best-performing cables by using the 'Top 10' filter feature.Jim Tiffin, Jr. Is a technician for the Oneida Indian Nation (Oneida, NY) telecommunications department.
Labeling Templates CommScope DYMO® Labeling Solution for Enterprise ProductsCommScope has collaborated with DYMO, a brand of RHINO Professional Labeling Tools and part of Newell Rubbermaid, to support the development and distribution of pre-formatted electronic templates, making the labeling of structured cabling systems easier and more efficient for installers. The new templates are compatible with the RHINO 6000 and RHINO 6500 label printers only. The electronic templates can be downloaded free of charge from the, and imported into RHINO CONNECT software.
Label information can then be entered into the template either manually or directly from a Windows-based PC application and then printed onto labels that specifically fit CommScope structured cabling components.NETCONNECT Labeling SoftwareCommScope has partnered with Silver Fox to utilize labeling software, label sheets and templates. The templates and functionality are specifically geared to CommScope NETCONNECT products such as patch panels, wiring/connector blocks, outlets/faceplates, and cable/patch cord labels.