Network and rack · guide for installers

How to design a rack: switch, recorder and patch panel

Place equipment in a rack, add a patch panel and power strip, and review occupied rack units.

Prepared by EnergyHouse · Updated: 19 October 2026

Choose a rack based on the equipment and connections, not only the camera count. List the recorder, switch, patch panel, power strip and devices that require a shelf. Allow space for cable management and future changes.

EH Designer rack layout: patch panel, power strip, switch and recorder
EH Designer rack layout: patch panel, power strip, switch and recorder. Screenshot of the Polish interface. Demonstration project; appearance and prices may change with updates. Click to enlarge.

Workflow

In EHD, switch to the Rack view, set its size and add products. Assign rack unit positions, then review ports and collisions. In addition to height, check equipment depth and mounting requirements in manufacturer specifications. An available rack unit does not guarantee that a device physically fits the chosen enclosure.

Rack cabinet and shelves

The U size specifies the device’s mounting height in the rack.

  1. Choose Rack cabinet from the view menu and set the cabinet size.
  2. Add a switch, recorder or other device using Add to rack, or drag the model into the cabinet.
  3. Check U heights and occupied positions. Add shelves where devices need support.
  4. Move a shelf or change its U position. Check that the moved assembly does not overlap other devices.
  5. Run the cabinet check before exporting documentation.

Ports, PoE and network connections

Port counts and power requirements depend on the specific device model.

  1. After adding a switch, check its port count, port types and PoE support.
  2. Assign LAN outlets, cameras and access points to patch panel and switch ports.
  3. Check connections between the ISP router, gateway, switch and controller.
  4. Allow for ports used by connections between devices.
  5. Check the PoE standard and power budget. Controllers and access points may have different power requirements.

Try it in your own project

Open EH Designer on a computer with a mouse. Start with one room or part of the installation, review the result and expand your project. For available plans, see pricing.

Create an EH Designer account

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