Procedure and Guidelines for General Access Computer Labs Setup

1) Plan room layout, move tables to appropriate locations. Points to consider:

A) Close to power outlets to avoid running power cords where users walk.

B) Close to network jacks to avoid running networking cables where users walk.

C) Space between rows of tables. Single rows with one chair should have

at least 3 feet between. Back to back rows with users working back

to back should have at least 5 feet between tables.

2) Computer placement, try to place computers in groups and close to power and network outlets. This will facilitate the installation of the networking and fiber optic alarm cables.

Here are some examples of table and computer placement:

Computer Towers are grouped in two’s on tables along the wall

A group of three and two IBM computers in the middle of a room

Last example of computer and table placement

3) Fiber optic alarm transceiver placement, points to follow:

A) It should be placed at the end of a group of computers.

B) The height of its location should be about 8-12 inches below the table.

C) It should not be placed in a location where a user can get his or her foot on it.

D) It should be located close to a networking jack.

E) Transceiver boxes should be labeled A, B, C, D…, with the unit closest

to the door starting with “A”.

F) All transceiver boxes should use the highest patch number if there

is more than one connection on that wall patch.

Examples of transceiver placement:

Good placement of an old style transceiver, visibility and access to the unit is ideal

Good example of a new style transceiver box placement

4) Securing the equipment

A) Keyboard, mouse and special video adaptor cables should go on a mouse

trap.

B) Small items such as speakers or webcams can be secured by using a

mouse trap on their power and/or other cables going to the computer.

C) Larger items such as scanners or printers will need a carried nut or “U”

bolt that can be solidly mounted on the equipment for the fiber optic cable

to pass through.

D) Monitors, only LCD flat panel monitors need to be secured. This will

vary depending on the model and make. The main idea is to have something

that is securely attached to the monitor for the fiber optic cable to pass

through.

E) PC towers, the same idea as the LCD flat panel displays. However, IBM

cases are equipped with a lock which should be engaged to prevent unauthorized access to the internals of the computer. Dell computers have a

hole which a clevis pin is used to secure the computer case.

Examples of Dell and IBM computer systems:

Dell Monitor with drilled out button for security cable

Dell Computer Tower with clevis pin and fiber

IBM monitor with fiber through base

IBM Tower with “U” bolt, Carrie Nut and Mouse Trap

5) Networking and fiber optic cable placement. This is where neatness counts.

A) All cables should be tucked into the tray under the table to ensure

users cannot get their foot tangled in it.

B) All long runs of cable should be stapled onto the wall or along the baseboard.

C) For fiber optic cables, ensure there will be enough slack on the monitors to

avoid false alarms because users will move them around and strain the

fiber cable if it is too short.

D) Networking cable has to be plugged into the computer’s networking port and

connected into the wall patch.

Good and not so good examples of running cables:

Excellent example, all cables are tacked, nothing loose for user to get tangled on.

An acceptable example, the fiber optic cable placement (could use more staples)

Not so good example, the fiber should be stapled onto the wall

Bad example, cables should be stapled along the bottom of the wall

Another bad example, need more slack so cable can be tacked along baseboard

6) Documentation, documentation!

A) Take note of all ENCS inventory tags per computer system.

B) Take note of all wall patch numbers for each computer and alarm transceiver boxes that they are connected to.

C) Take the information from A) and B) and inform Inventory and SAG via RT.

7) Required tools and components.

A) Alarm transceiver box old design:

Plastic wall plugs

#8 or #10 wood screws

Robinson and Philips screwdriver

Cat5 cable

RJ54 jack and crimper

Wire cutter and stripper

B) Alarm transceiver box, new design:

Double sided tape

Cat5 cable patch cord

C) Computer system:

Network patch cable

Staple gun

Mouse trap

Clevis pin for Dell towers

1/8” drill bit and drill for Dell monitors

“U” bolt and carried nut for IBM towers

Fiber optic security cable

Staple gun

Power bar if needed