Aug. 19, 2024
Machinery
We are often asked for assistance to help select a 19&#; Network Cabinet Rack. Before we get to the tips, let&#;s just define what a 19&#; Network Cabinet Rack is. Typically, these racks are used for mounting 19&#; equipment such as hubs, switches, routers, bridges, gateways, multiplexers, transceivers, firewalls and servers. The components will either have mounting ears to directly mount within the cabinet (see more below) or will be placed on shelves within the rack. The purpose of these racks is to protect the equipment by securely storing them by getting them up off of the floor and often consolidating them in many layers. There are many types of network cabinet racks and we will not address them specifically in this blog but will rather focus on some of the basics.
Goto Rdekono to know more.
There are a few key dimensions to keep in mind when you are specifying your network rack.
The first is panel height. This is different than the overall height as it is the clear space into which you can mount your components. It is basically the height of the opening within the rack. It is important to add up the height of the items you are looking to mount to be sure they will all readily fit. Don&#;t forget to include any air ventilation space you may need between components. That does not mean that overall height is not important. We have had customers who order a large rack only to find that the ceiling in the room they are using is not high enough. Finally, be sure there is enough depth space for your deepest components.
All network cabinet racks come with panel mounting rails. These are long relatively thin pieces of formed metal that are used in pairs to mount the mounting ears of your component into the rack. They will typically be pre-drilled on EIA spacing. EIA spacing is the industry standard that goes back to the early days of telephony well over 100 years ago. The holes on your equipment and on the panel mounting rails will be set on this standard which is based on the space between holes of 5/8&#;, 5/8&#;, ½&#; which will total 1-3/4&#; This dimension is known as a &#;u&#; for unit and racks are often specified as multiples of the &#;u&#; or 1-3/4&#;. A typical dimension for a networking cabinet rack is 45u (77&#;) or 46u (78.75&#;). You will also need to determine if you need two pairs of mounting rails or just one depending on the mounting provisions of your components and their weight.
The location of your racks is an important decision factor in selecting the proper rack. If it is going in a closet, as if often the case, your concerns are much more basic than if it is going in an open space. If it is a closet, a simple cabinet rack will do as you already gain the protection of the closet itself. You may even decide to go with a smaller wall mounting unit which is very popular for these applications especially if the components are lightweight. If it is going to be in the middle of an office, you will want to focus on ensuring that it looks professional and protects the components from curious people.
There are many ways to ensure that the components you are mounting have the proper level of cooling so they do not overheat. It could be as simple as not needing a front or rear door on the cabinet or ensuring that the sides or tops or doors or all of the above have ventilation holes or slots included. Other questions that might be considered include whether unique cable access is required so that the proper access points are included. Also, what are the access concerns for repair? Often, the ability to easily remove sides or doors can allow quick repairs or adjustments without having to uninstall the components.
Does the manufacturer include popular accessories such as shelves, power strips, fans or blowers or cable management hardware? Sometimes items such as these do not install readily in cabinet rack if they are from different producers. Are you going to be moving the units to different locations? Then you want to be sure you can add casters.
All of these five tips must balance into price, read our article on How to Save Money on Your 19&#; Rack Enclosure. If you have to buy items separately to complete your build are you adding hidden costs? Sometimes racks don&#;t readily compare based on what is included in the price and added costs of acquisition of needed accessories. It also can add to the lead time due to sourcing challenges.
Hardware, Industry, True Custom
Building a rackmount workstation or server can be annoying and difficult. Rackmount chassis need to fit a certain size standard in order to be compatible with server racks. Rackmount servers and workstations typically come in the standard sizes of 1U, 2U, 3U, and 4U.
1U is 1.75&#; in height, leaving limited room for cooling or larger, powerful components. Building in these small cases makes component selection limited. Rackmount chassis manufacturers can also lack proper documentation, making it difficult to determine which components are compatible for the case.
Why is it difficult to build rackmount workstations and servers?
Many rackmount chassis give little consideration to AIO compatibility. It is difficult to find a full list of compatible AIOs when researching rackmount cases. Even if you find one that fits without a compatibility guide, the screw holes might not align, and other headaches are bound to occur. Not only do the Sliger 3u and 4u rackmount chassis have official AIO support, but much care and consideration were put into placing components within.
How to easily build in a 4U rackmount case
For more information, please visit custom rack mount enclosures.
Related links:
The CX series of 4U rackmount chassis offer a full-sized unit with special layout considerations to allow fitment of an AIO while still maintaining drive mounts and a support bar, or other available layouts with HDD mounting only or multiple 5.25 bays. This allows for greater component combability, making parts that are incompatible with other server rackmount chassis now available for your configuration.
How to easily build in a 3U rackmount chassis
3U
rackmount workstation featuring Sligher CXThe CX series takes it to another level, shrinking the size down to a minimum. The 3U chassis makes use of right-angle GPU mounting to allow for 3.5 slot thick cards, up to 12 inches in length with the radiator installed.
What is a rackmount server?
A rackmount server is a server designed in a chassis meant to be compatible with a server rack. What is a server rack?
What is a server rack?
Server racks store electrical equipment, most commonly servers. They come in assorted sizes allowing for a variety of server combinations. A standard rack is typically 42U. This means that it could fit 42 1U servers, 24 2U servers, 14 3U servers, or 10 4U servers and 1 2U server.
What is a 1U server?
1U servers take up one unit of space in a server rack. With a standard-sized 42U server rack, you can fit 42 individual servers. The issue with 1U servers is that they are only 1.75&#; tall. This makes component combability extremely limited and provides very few cooling options.
What is a 3U Server?
A 3U server rack takes up three units of space in a server rack. With features like support for up to two processors, full-sized PCI slots, and 5.25&#; drive bays, 3U rackmount servers offer a wider range of component options. Granted, these chassis are still more compact than your typical desktop PC.
Building a Rackmount Workstation or Server with AVADirect
Working with Sliger as an official partner provides us with the capabilities to custom-make made-to-order rackmount chassis. If you have a specific use case with a unique form factor, we can build a server suitable for your use.
Are you interested in learning more about Subracks Electronic Packaging Systems? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Previous: Electroplating Services by Xometry
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )