How To Mark A Port As Being Used Without Network Path

[DCIM_Support]

If I have a 24 port copper patch panel in rack is there anyway to show that one (or any number) port is being used without drawing a network connection to another device?

The only option I can think of so far is to open up the patch panel and edit the count.  However this is only valid if there are no back connections on the panel.

(CID:104173976)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi James,

I've just done several tests, but unfortunately it is not possible/supported to mark a port as being used.

I was wondering perhaps either using the "Description" field (Capture-1)

or using the custom properties, and adding a sort of note saying that a certain port is been used, which can also be shown by the tool tip (Capture-2). (but that will not "reserve" the port(s)).

   

Kind regards

(CID:104174001)

[DCIM_Support]

Thanks Jef Faridi . I was looking at it from a capacity view point so I think maybe the best way would be to decrease/increase the port count on a panel as a cable is added/removed.

(CID:104174008)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi James, Many thanks for the clarification. Agreed, your suggestion seems to be the best way, thanks.

(CID:104174010)

[DCIM_Support]

Agreed, this functionality does not exist today. I do know there is an enhancement request submitted to add this functionality because I submitted it. Here is a quick work-around, it takes some effort to set up, but works. 

Create a set of Custom Properties for the max number of ports a panel can have, 1-48 or 1-96, etc...  Assign list values "Open" and "Used" to each port custom property field. This eliminates typos and missing data when reporting. Then create a custom properties template and assign the customer property port fields to it. Add a patch panel to a rack, assign the port template to the panel.

Looks like this:

Custom Property table:

Test SQL:

select ci.ci_name, ci.ci_row_label, ci.ci_rack_label, ci.ci_u_position, cp.cp_name, cp.cp_value

from custom_property cp, configuration_item ci

where cp_name like '%Port%' and cp_value = 'Used' and cp.ci_id = ci.ci_id;

Then you can use the Insight Reporting tool and the ETL Export database to create a report to show counts and capacity info based on the Open \ Used entries.

Hope this helps.

(CID:104174065)

[DCIM_Support]

tony.creech Thanks for the suggestion. I like the fact that you get to keep the starting number of ports on the panel/switch for reporting, which with my suggestion that wouldn't be available expect in a custom property.

(CID:104174594)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi James,

Since you have reports running against this set of data I would believe that you need this information reflected in your reports, correct? 😀

In this case, and at this point of time, I can see only one solution: create a fake device called, e.g., "Port reserved"  and connect the ports you want to reserve to this device.

-Guillaume

(CID:104174490)

[DCIM_Support]

Vigneron Guillaume I think to include it in the current reports you are correct as it was reliant on back to back connections. As the intent was not to actually do any network patching in DCO I think a simple modification on the standard Network Summary report could do the trick.

(CID:104174596)

[DCIM_Support]

A customer asked a similar question. Does anyone know if there have been any updates to this enhancement request?

(CID:129412543)

[DCIM_Support]

This would be a great tool.. Will check back daily for any new developments. 

(CID:129412959)

[DCIM_Support]

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