Choosing the Right Server Rack
Ok, so you find yourself needing a server rack. Upon consulting the all-knowing Google search bar, you will undoubtedly be bombarded with a multitude of choices and server rack terms - RU, perforated doors, wall mounts, ventilation. Which one is right for me? Let's break it down to what you need.
Server racks, rack enclosures, network cabinets. They all do the same thing: organise your IT equipment. To get the crux of the rack matter, you need to identify the following; 1. Where will the server rack be going?; and 2. What size server rack do you need?
Will the server rack be housed in a small space? Will there be enough room in the office/server room/garage to have a freestanding enclosure, or will a wall mount rack server you better? Keep in mind that whichever solution you decide upon, the rack will need to be regularly accessed and serviced, so although a wall mount rack installed above a desk might seem like a good idea space wise, it may not be practical. In a home office or small business situation, you need to decide if your primary requirement is for space-saving (wall mount) or the housing of a more substantial amount of IT equipment (freestanding server rack).
There are also requirements for sturdier weather-proof server racks if you are going to be either operating in a very dusty environment, like a warehouse, or even outdoor server racks for telecommunication equipment.
There are also requirements for sturdier weather-proof server racks if you are going to be either operating in a very dusty environment, like a warehouse, or even outdoor server racks for telecommunication equipment.
Will the server rack be housed in a small space? Will there be enough room in the office/server room/garage to have a freestanding enclosure, or will a wall mount rack server you better? Keep in mind that whichever solution you decide upon, the rack will need to be regularly accessed and serviced, so although a wall mount rack installed above a desk might seem like a good idea space-wise, it may not be practical. In a home office or small business situation, you need to decide if your primary requirement is for space-saving (wall mount) or the housing of a more substantial amount of IT equipment (freestanding server rack).
There are also requirements for sturdier weather-proof server racks if you are going to be either operating in a very dusty environment, like a warehouse, or even outdoor server racks for telecommunication equipment.
Your rack is how big?
Size does indeed matter. The dimensions of the rack you require will be determined by what will live in the server rack. Consider what equipment you have and will be acquiring in the future. That's the patch panels, switches, PDUs (Power Distributions Units) and servers you have or will be needing. Does your solution take into any imminent growth? Will you need room to add more equipment?
The size of a server rack is referred to in RU, or Rack Units, i.e. 6RU Wall Mount or 27RU Freestanding Server Rack. A rack unit is a unit of measurement that best describes the height of the server, network switch or other devices that generally live in such enclosures. One rack unit equals 44.45 mm (1.75 inches) in height and is said to be "1U" with two rack units "2U" and so on. Hole spacing for a standard 19" rack is cut in groups of three holes and this grouping of 3 is what is known as one 'U' space. Got it? Simple.
Once these significant factors in your quest have been determined, you are on your way to finding the right rack for you your needs. A good quality server rack will last you for years. Steel welded, ceiling fans, lockable doors and a decent loading capacity will keep you motoring aeons. Finding the right server rack does not have an impossible task. With the correct information and the right facts, you will have the perfect server rack to suit your situation in no time.
As always, if you have any questions or have any requirements for a custom server rack, don't hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable sales team. We are here to help.