Where do you hide all your network gear?

[crowarth]

Hey,

So where do you hide all your network gear? It's a problem I have ... It's currently all in a cupboard, which is fine as it's hidden, but it gets warm in there during the warm weather, and the NAS in there can over heat.

Here's a pic: http://weezel.co.uk/img/08-2014/2014-08-02_20-29-18.jpg

I'd be curious to know where everyone hides their stuff, and how they manage it.

 

[Feronix]

Ours is in a bookcase which has a bottom drawer. Works fine and don't usually have a problem with it.

What about modding a fan in there? Just drill a round hole and use a dustfilter. Airflow is the key, especially since most of the network stuff is passively cooled.

 

[d3rrial]

Since I live in a one room apartment by myself, my home network infrastructure isn't that demanding I only have my router under my bed.

 

[ShaunB-91]

Only have a router atm which just sits on the bottom of the glass stand under my TV. Looking to get a NAS going soon though.

My brother in law has his PC in the cupboard under the stairs with his NAS box too, I think its dangerous, the rig is cooled by fans but it gets way to hot in there.

 

[crowarth]

The main reason I have it all hidden in that cupboard is due to the SuperHub ... The cables all connect on the side, which means I can't lay it flat, which is what I want to do. One option is to upgrade to the SuperHub2 which has them on the end, so then I could lay it flat.

Ours is in a bookcase which has a bottom drawer. Works fine and don't usually have a problem with it.

What about modding a fan in there? Just drill a round hole and use a dustfilter. Airflow is the key, especially since most of the network stuff is passively cooled.

That's a thought I've had before as well, but I don't want to cut into the doors (or the rear of the unit).

I was planning to put all this gear near my desk, but first I want to relocate my desk (basically it's in a corner, against one wall - so I want to move it to the wall next to the one it's against).


First I need to clean my desk ......! It's messy!

 

[CookieM]

I currently just have an 5 port gigabit switch upstairs, connected to the router downstairs via homeplug. This 5 port switch then branches off to the PC, Laptop, Raspberry Pi, and HP Microserver so nothing is really hidden at all

 

[Dark NighT]

Since I live in a one room apartment by myself, my home network infrastructure isn't that demanding I only have my router under my bed.

I would advice to move it away from there unless you happen to clean it weekly, matrasses are a big source of dust.

 

[Innocent159]

I would say mod it with vents and two intake and two exhaust fans with dust covers
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/diy-install-a-cooling-fan-in-your-media-cabinet/

 

[d3rrial]

I would advice to move it away from there unless you happen to clean it weekly, matrasses are a big source of dust.

And whats a bit of dust gonna do?

It's just a router, there are no moving parts that get clogged and the top side doesn't have openings trough which dust would get in. My RasPi is also down there with my router and there's pretty much no dust. And if you're worried about heat/dust blocking heat transfer, the router doesn't get very warm.

 

[crowarth]

I would say mod it with vents and two intake and two exhaust fans with dust covers
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/diy-install-a-cooling-fan-in-your-media-cabinet/

That looks pretty good, and I even found the kit on UK Amazon, with the correct exterior finish! Pretty pricey though at £60 for the kit (link)

 

[Dark NighT]

And whats a bit of dust gonna do?

It's just a router, there are no moving parts that get clogged and the top side doesn't have openings trough which dust would get in. My RasPi is also down there with my router and there's pretty much no dust. And if you're worried about heat/dust blocking heat transfer, the router doesn't get very warm.

Ah yeah if it works, ive had some routers feeling quite hot even on a normal surface.

 

[Innocent159]

That looks pretty good, and I even found the kit on UK Amazon, with the correct exterior finish! Pretty pricey though at £60 for the kit (link)

And it has a neat feature to cut the fans when its not needed.
that would lower noise and dust intake

 

[Dicehunter]

Mines hidden on the window sill behind the venetian blinds.

Gets lots of air and you can't see it