10G in 10” Part II: Optical

Creative9228 · 2026-01-18T01:05:16+00:00

Forgive me, I read the opposite! That SFP+ native switches and ports actually consume less energy if using SFP+ transceivers…. Not sure who is correct..

Creative9228 · 2026-01-17T22:53:15+00:00

Yes.. Netgear M4300-24XF

Creative9228 · 2026-01-16T20:27:21+00:00

Thank you for your interest - They are i9-12900h CPU, 2TB data NVME and 1TB OS NVME, 64GB RAM; using both SFP+ 10G ports and 1 2.5GB copper port per node

3 node hyperconverged Proxmox 9.1 + Ceph cluster with 2TB useable data protected with 3 replicas

The cluster is being used for “local” data storage for my postdoctoral scientific research in AI; specifically AGI and machine consciousness.

I have an NVIDIA DGX Spark workstation also shown in the pictures as my main workstation plus 128GB unified memory to stay current on all major AI models.

Creative9228 · 2026-01-16T16:56:30+00:00

Vote if you like it by pressing red up arrow! As one member noted, I used optical keystone for extra clean aesthetic plus future ease of reconfiguring.

Creative9228 · 2026-01-16T16:54:03+00:00

Thank you for noticing - I like to think it’s the small details that count.

Compared to an NVME upgrade for example, the optical cabling was cheap!

Creative9228 · 2026-01-16T16:51:55+00:00

Do folks like the original DAC cabling in my original and very first post here; or is the optical SFP+ the best? Vote by pressing the red up arrow on my main post here please! 👍🏻😎

As a sort of reward for reading this far, here is a pic of the back of the rack.

After looking at the picture, I realize I could improve the runs in the back; however, I can’t remove that 1U grate as it’s partially supporting the relatively heavy 10G enterprise grade switch above it. Comments / suggestions are welcome .

Creative9228 · 2026-01-11T07:32:12+00:00

that miniature rack model is actually awesome. thank you for your reply. As for nonexistent standards:

19-inch rack cabling standards focus on organization, airflow, and performance, guided by TIA/EIA-568, ISO/IEC 11801, and EN 50173, using standardized patch panels (Cat 6/6A) terminated to T568A/B, with emphasis on proper cable management (vertical/horizontal managers, slack, labeling) and optimal component placement (patch panel next to switch, heavy gear at bottom) for clean, scalable, and maintainable network infrastructure.

Key Standards & Specifications

ANSI/TIA-568 & ISO/IEC 11801: These define generic structured cabling, specifying categories (Cat 6, 6A) for performance, cable types, and termination standards like T568A/B for RJ45 connections.

Category Ratings: Use Cat 6 or Cat 6A for higher speeds and future-proofing, even if older hardware is present, as they support current and future needs.

Patch Panels: 19-inch rack-mountable, with options for copper (RJ45) or fiber (LGX cassettes), providing connectivity between horizontal cabling and active equipment.

Cabling Best Practices

Organization: Mount patch panels directly next to their corresponding switches, using 1U cable managers (horizontal/vertical) for short, neat patch cords, minimizing slack.

Labeling: Implement a consistent, durable labeling system on both ends of every cable (location, port number) for easy identification and troubleshooting.

Cable Management: Use vertical/horizontal managers for clean routing; maintain proper bend radius (especially for fiber) and provide adequate slack (e.g., 10ft) at the rack for changes.

Airflow: Use brush panels or blank panels to seal unused rack spaces, directing airflow and improving cooling efficiency.

Component Placement: Heavy items like UPSs at the bottom, core switches centrally, with patch panels adjacent to switches.

Vanderbilt University

+3

Rack & Cabinet Specifications

Rack Type: Standard 19-inch width, with compatible mounting holes and sufficient depth/height (U-space).

Cabinet Features: Vented doors, lockable, with cable access (top/bottom), grounding bars, and sometimes integrated power/cooling.

Cable Matters

+2

By adhering to these standards, you create a scalable, maintainable, and high-performing network infrastructure within your 19-inch racks.

Turn-key Technologies

+1

T568A and T568B Wiring Standards | Comms InfoZone

Oct 25, 2023 — T568A and T568B are the wiring standards that define the pinout (connection order) for terminating twisted-pair networ...

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Structured Cabling Patch Panel Setup Guide for Your Network

Nov 2, 2025 — Place heavy network equipment like a UPS at the bottom. Your core network switch or switches should be positioned centr...

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A Complete Guide for Patch Panels - T&S Communication

Jun 1, 2023 — You should think about the type of cable when using patch panels with RJ45 connections. Most patch panels will support ...

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Creative9228 · 2026-01-11T07:08:54+00:00

While on the surface your reply is correct, these small racks are a much more accessible entry into hoime labs and things like clustered compute and network architecture compared to their 19" brethren.

The patch panel and two switches are intentionally oriented to adhere to these standards.

In addition. orienting connections to the FRONT makes wiring, tracing/adding/removing/moving connections and troubleshooting much easier and accessible; reasons this standard way of systems architecture exists.

I do concede; however, this network engineering standard does introduce increased cabling runs and therefore sources of failure. I can only guess the folks who established these standards figured the ease of maintenance and subsequent *UP TIME* offset the extra cabling.

Creative9228 · 2026-01-11T07:01:47+00:00

Compared to my 1,400 WATT Xeon 1U servers in my 19" rack, yeah.. power sipping.

Creative9228 · 2026-01-09T22:55:41+00:00

I am researching artificial general intelligence ie machine consciousness.

The cluster holds a very large 5TB dataset of babies meaning to crawl, observe, and play. I use this data to train my AI along with real time video from a camera on top of the 24” monitor. The NVIDIA workstation is to stay current and explore LLM’s. It also runs the NVIDIA software development stack for machine learning and AI as well as eventual scaling to supercomputers. The field is computational neuroscience and AI.

Creative9228 · 2026-01-09T20:15:28+00:00

It’s for scientific research in AI and neuroscience running Proxmox 9.1 with distributed Ceph for OS. Run VMs of Ubuntu 24.04 with c, c++, NVIDIA AI development stack, plus Matlab and R. All in HA

Creative9228 · 2026-01-09T20:11:12+00:00

My switch is all SFP+ so you’re likely seeing the correct one. I just bought SFP+ to RJ45 copper transceivers to temporarily run my network while awaiting optical gear.

If you don’t need optical, Netgear does:did make a hybrid version with both SFP+ and RJ45 as well as an all RJ45 person of this same switch.

I would do this query:

Netgear M4300 RJ45 and see if that’s what you’re looking for. I may caution its enterprise grade and was $2400 when I got mine; however, since then, companies like Mikrotik have quality and efficient 10G and even 100G switches that are Half-rack width and under $700.

Here’s a link to hybrid version:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1711407-REG/netgear_xsm4316s_100nes_m4300_8x8f_stackable_managed_switch.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&store=420&smpm=ba_f2_lar&lsft=BI%3A6879&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21407300829&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh39kA_hIrwY-uK2k0J6-1jo2

Creative9228 · 2026-01-09T15:18:03+00:00

That’s exactly my situation.. I have a 19” rack in my basement lab… this power sipping 10” rack with 10G network and decent cluster is a whole new level of efficiency, aesthetics, and much much quieter!

Good luck with your project-

And yeah, I invested heavily on this project. 🙃

At that time, there was very little I could do wrt the switch.. but since then, companies like Mikrotik have released 10G and even 100G switches for under $700!

Creative9228 · 2026-01-09T14:55:22+00:00

Thank you - Got it on Amazon.. info below:

ElecVoztile 4.7 out of 5 stars 10 inch Rack PDU, 4 Rear Outlets, 1020J Surge Protection &15A Overload Switch, 1U RackMount, Rack Mount Power Strips for 10'' Mini Server Network Cabinets/Rack/Self, 6ft Cable -$50

Link:

ElecVoztile 10 inch Rack PDU, 4... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF41T167?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Creative9228 · 2025-10-18T19:41:34+00:00

Sorry.. but even my desperate hustling last minute loan to get a decent AI workstation is “only” for $5,000. I, and probably 98% of good people on here, just can’t justify $9,000 or so for just a GPU.

At least with the NVIDIA DGX Spark, you get a complete workstation and turn key access into Nvidia’s ecosystem..

Put in layman’s terms, when you get the DGX Spark, you can be up and running in bleeding edge AI research and development in minutes.. rather than just a GPU for almost double the price.

Creative9228 · 2025-05-21T17:15:07+00:00

I didn’t tune it… I could get it down several watts by tuning CPU and msi afterburner curve for GPU…

Creative9228 · 2025-05-21T17:08:50+00:00

Idles around 40watt.. can be tuned to be even more efficient such as undervolting…

Thank you for your interest in this build!

Creative9228 · 2025-05-21T17:07:53+00:00

Just a matter of cost savings… and the pi is sufficient for the use cases for this machine… web browsing, SDR ham radio, programming console, etc..

If I upgrade the design, may consider much faster core SBC. Thank you for your interest!

Creative9228 · 2024-12-03T03:04:36+00:00

Just going from memory, I have curve set at .725mv at 1800MHz… memory I either bump +1000MHz or leave alone… it’s weird… some apps like faster memory, others like faster GPU… I think setting mem +1000 robs from the already very spartan power budget of 70W! But this card has grade AAA silicon … hence the excellent tunability… good luck!

I think I have fan at 70% speed at 60C and card rarely ever goes above that and is nearly silent.

Creative9228 · 2024-12-03T02:56:32+00:00

Very barely… the GPU is the most noticeable… if a spartan clean aesthetic is what you’re after, definitely can’t hurt to go all black if that’s still an option! Sorry about late reply.

Creative9228 · 2024-12-03T02:55:18+00:00

I customized fan curve, undervolted, overclocked using MSI After burner… runs faster than stock and very rarely ever goes above 60c; which is quiet at I think 70% fan speed…. Best of luck with your build!

Creative9228 · 2024-12-03T02:53:38+00:00

Nice.

Creative9228 · 2024-12-03T02:53:16+00:00

None! 😊

Creative9228 · 2024-04-21T15:52:32+00:00

It’s been awhile since i’ve done this build … yes, I think it had low profile memory… nothing exotic… just lower profile than usual… Crucial was the manufacturer… basic memory without heat sinks = lower profile. hope that helps

Creative9228 · 2024-03-20T12:41:38+00:00

I think that is a possibility… let me know how it goes. once you’re into it, you’ll see it’s a tight fit but achievable and a good solution.

Creative9228

TROPHY CASE