According to one embodiment, a RIHS includes at least a first rack configured with at least a first compartment for housing one or more information technology (IT) components that require power and data/network connections. A first panel is coupled to a first side of the first rack. The first panel has a first opening adjacent to a vertical location of the first IT component and a second opening adjacent to a next vertical location of the second IT component. A first cable guide is positioned adjacent to the first panel. The first cable guide encloses a first cable passage disposed vertically therein. A first cable extends vertically through a first section of the first cable passage, through the first opening and terminates inside the first compartment, presenting a first power and/or data connection for at least a first IT component. A second cable extends vertically through a second section of the first cable passage, through the second opening and terminates inside one of the first compartment and a separate, second compartment, presenting a second power and/or data connection for at least a second IT component. The second section of the cable passage overlaps at least a portion of the first section. The first cable guide and the first opening provide a first routing path for the first cable to the first IT component. The first cable guide and the second opening provide a second, separate routing path for the second cable to the second IT component. The first and second routing paths are each individual separate routing paths.