Comms cabinet audit checklist: what we check, fix and document

1. Check: what do we inspect and test?

• We will inspect the rack or cabinet, its door, locks, mounting and floor or wall fixings.
• We will check every patch lead and panel port against what is actually connected.
• We will trace and test the copper links from each end-point port to its panel port and record each result.
• We will inspect the fibre connectors, trays and leads in the cabinet, and test a few fibre cores in the initial price if you ask before the visit; larger fibre testing is quoted after the assessment.
• We will check the pathways into the room: tray, ladder, conduit entries and how full they are.
• We will look at how the cabinet is powered: PDUs, whether a UPS is present, and which circuits feed it.
• We will check heat and airflow: fans, blocked vents, gaps in the rack front and hot spots.
• We will check who can get into the room and whether the cabinet locks.
• We will compare the labels and records on site with what you hold.
• We will identify your carrier hand-off points and note them. We do not touch carrier equipment.

2. Spot: what faults do we look for?

• We will look for patch leads that are damaged, overstretched or the wrong length.
• We will look for ports that are patched but not in use, and in use but not documented.
• We will look for copper links that fail test or sit close to the limit.
• We will look for dirty or damaged fibre connectors and tight bends in fibre.
• We will look for data cabling bundled hard against power cabling.
• We will look for power gaps: overloaded PDUs, shared circuits and no clear separation between feeds.
• We will look for airflow problems: open rack spaces, cables blocking fans, equipment stacked with no gap.
• We will look for loose or missing labels and panels with no record behind them.
• We will look for unlocked doors, shared keys and room use that puts equipment at risk.
• We will look for undocumented changes since the last install.

3. Diagnose: how do we confirm the cause?

• We will trace each fault back to the port, lead, panel or path that causes it.
• We will re-test every failed link so the result is confirmed, not assumed.
• We will photograph each fault in place before we touch anything.
• We will separate faults we can fix on the day from faults that need parts or other trades.
• We will tell you which faults carry the most risk to live traffic.
• We will note anything we cannot confirm and say what it would take to confirm it.
• We will not recommend a fix until the cause is confirmed.
• We will give you a written fault list with a photo against each item.
• We will give you the test results for every copper and fibre link we tested.
• We will quote a port schedule as a separate add-on if you want one, priced after we talk on site: each end-point, its location, its panel port and the switch port it is patched to, so VLANs can be assigned per application. On switches we did not supply or manage, your team applies the VLANs from our schedule. Where we supply the equipment, the VLAN set-up is in the SOW we agree with you.

4. Fix: what do we correct on the day?

• We will re-seat connectors and leads that have worked loose.
• We will re-route leads that cross power cabling or foul fans.
• We will correct tight bends and strained leads.
• We will tighten loose fixings, rails and cable management.
• We will clear blocked vents and cables sitting in front of fans.
• We will move equipment to open space so air can flow, where the rack allows.
• We will correct labels that are wrong and record the change.
• We will do all of this without replacing parts, and we will re-test anything we touched.
• We will tell you what is fixed, what is left, and why.

5. Replace: what do we swap out?

• We will replace patch leads that are damaged, the wrong length or the wrong category.
• We will replace patch panels or ports that fail after a fix and re-test.
• We will replace cable management that is broken or too small for the cabling it holds.
• We will supply and fit fixed or cantilever shelves where the cabinet needs them.
• We will replace a missing or damaged cabinet door.
• We will replace failed or noisy cabinet fans.
• We will replace labels that are worn, missing or unreadable.
• We will supply and fit plug-in PDUs and swap UPS units where the power supply is already in place.
• We will arrange a licensed electrician where a new power circuit is needed or there is an electrical fault. Electrical licence held via Michael Barrett.
• We will list every part and material in the quote, and you approve it before we fit anything.

6. Remediate: what do we leave documented?

• We will dress and tie every lead so each one can be traced by eye.
• We will label both ends of every lead, every port and every panel.
• We will route cabling so data and power are kept apart.
• We will set the cabinet up for airflow: blanking, equipment spacing and clear fan paths.
• We will tidy and support the cabling entering the room.
• We will leave the cabinet secure: door closed, locked and keys accounted for.
• We will confirm where earthing and bonding are in scope, and the licensed electrician checks them.
• We will produce an as-built record that matches the cabinet as we leave it, including the port schedule if you took that add-on.
• We will mark each carrier hand-off point on the record, labelled for identification only.

350 enclosures dressed and labelled.