Where is the best place to label a server?

Question

There isn't much room on server chassis and I'm wondering where a label with the servers name should go. Is there any other information in addition to the name that should go on the label? Does it make sense to label each hard drive in a server or is that not necessary?

There certainly is overkill. When I worked at Big Blue, labeling was a huge source of bureaucracy; even a projector needed to be labelled and have its whereabouts routinely reported.

Solution 1

HP ProLiant servers, Supermicro servers and surely any non-Dell systems don't have a convenient LCD on the front.

If I do label, the location depends on the server model/type... But this is really a common-sense, do-what-works-for-you question.

For instance, on the 1U rack mount systems pictured below, I'd likely add a label on the CD/DVD drive.

For the systems here, I may use the CD/DVD slot/blank or place labels on the rack mount ears.

For situations where the CD slot doesn't exist, or there isn't enough vertical height on the server, I end up placing labels on the hard disk drive slots.

Solution 2

I seen this a while back and thought it was a good idea. Granted it only works with dell servers.

Replacing the dell logo with a bottle cap

http://blog.gtuhl.com/2007/05/25/server-naming-conventions/

Solution 3

Servers vary so much that it's hard to standardize on locations unless you're only buying from one manufacturer; that said, I feel it's very important to label both the front and the back. When you're staring at a bunch of identical chassis backs, it's nice to have another way to double-check that you're about to pull the right power cord.

In deciding where on the front & back to actually stick the labels, I favor locations that are more permanently associated with the chassis itself. I avoid sticking computer labels on removable modules in general & hard-disk carriers in particular because I don't want people thinking I've labelled the disk itself or getting confused if the carrier's pulled out and moved around.

Our minimal label is our institution's name & the server's property number, but if there's space, I'll add the hostname & IP addresses to save a trip back to look it up. On a few systems I've also stuck labels above individual ports to note their purpose, but it's not something I do for most servers.

Solution 4

I label them whereever the label will fit. Most of my servers have room on the front where it doesn't cover anything important. These ones just have the server name.

In addition (or if there really is no room on the server itself) they get a label on the rack, both front and back. There is plenty of room for a large label here, so they include the server name, IP of its management interface, and a QR code that links to our documentation wiki, so I can pull up all the server's details from my phone instead of heading back to my desk.

Solution 5

I've used Dell servers exclusively throughout my career and I always put the label on the front bezel and on the front of the chassis behind the bezel. I try to put the label in the same spot on all the severs when and where it's possible (upper left, upper right, etc.).

As for labeling other components and for the amount of detail to include, that's a personal preference. I've seen people label hard drives, optical drives, etc. and I've seen them put an awful lot of detail on the label (server name, ip address, specs, etc.). I've very rarely used any information other then the name. I can get everything else I need from my asset management system, management software or from the vendor.

The main use of labels for me is so that "remote hands" operators can quickly identify and locate a piece of equipment if I need them to. I simply tell them "It's the server labeled CORPDC1 in Rack 35 position U 25.".

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Comments

[MadHatter]

Cambridge; there's always a first-class pub in easy reach for you to repair to once the labelling work is finished. Oh, wait - that's not what you meant, is it?

[Admin]

For some bizarre reason, this was my first thought on reading this... ;)

[Rqomey]

For practical purposes make sure you have a rack diagram also... keep a pic on your phone so when you are in the DC you have a good reference. If work is planned always use the UID flashing light for identification also, you dont want to pull the wrong server!

[MrGigu]

I knew this was an ewwhite answer before I even scrolled to the bottom. A photo speaks a thousand words.

[Tonny]

They do stand out, don't they :-)

[Tonny]

I follow the same line of thinking: Especially the label ON THE BACK. If the server has a detachable cover-plate on the front I will label that and the chassis itself behind it. (Just in case covers get mixed up. Usually you have to take the cover OFF before you can do anything at the front, so the chassis label is the authoritative one.)

[Simon Catlin]

Nice post! If only everyone was as helpful!

[Roman]

That HP pictured on the top row has a little pull out tab that is great for labeling boxes.

[davidgo]

I don't think this is a good solution, but +1 for creativity.

[MadHatter]

Although it's interesting that none of the servers pictured actually have any labels on them!

[BlueCacti]

If you name your servers after beer brands, this actually is the cleanest labeling you can do :p

[ewwhite]

@MadHatter I said "if I label..." I actually don't feel the need to label server hardware. These days with ILO and nice blue front and rear UID indicators, paper labels aren't that important to me :)

[MadHatter]

Just prodding your button (though I'm not sure which button, it's unlabelled :). Seriously, it's a great answer. +1 from me.

[renegade]

Yes indeed, a single label is insufficient. It should be labeled in a minimum of 3 locations.

[Rqomey]

@ewwhite Hey bud, in the first pic of the 1u HPs, they actually have a little pullout on the left (you can see the edge in the pic) if I remember correctly. It is a good spot for the label, as they don't come with CD drives as standard any more (as of 3 years ago, if memory serves). I would recommend using this as you don't want to block airflow on a 1u. Also I saw another company using tie on labels to the hand screw on the left, but This looked messy and unsafe to me. Pull outs are slower but at high density the best option I would think

[Rqomey]

+ 1 for a label on the back, be careful of blocking air holes however! Also label all cables at both ends :)

[ewwhite]

@Rqomey I avoid the machine asset tag pull-out tab because people tend to want to glance at a server label without interacting with the system.

[Rqomey]

@ewwhite I understand that, it was the best I could come up with, when we had G7's with two additional HDDs where the CD-bay is in your pics. Maybe if we had a much smaller label printer we could label under the hand screw