How much equipment is too much for a wallmount rack?

jzukerman

jzukerman

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I have a client that I'm terminating the data & voice cabling in a new office building and I will be installing 3 patch panels, 2 cable management rackmount brackets, new 1U network switch, small standalone router, 1U Dell server, and battery backup unit in a small IT closet. It would be nice to have the floor space free as there is discussions about using the room for A/V work (recording meetings and whatnot). That equipment more than likely will be on a desk, which takes up floor space. Things would be tight if I got a floor rack cabinet.

Do you trust putting all of this gear into a wallmount rack? Something like: https://www.tripplite.com/smartrack...rack-enclosure-cabinet-hinged-back~SRW18USDP/

I'm not sure if I should get a separate wallmount rack for the server. I kind of liked the locking doors and everything in one spot. They don't be upgrading much beyond this small cabinet. The wall is going to be covered in plywood so I'll have something strong to mount to. I was thinking some 2" lags should hold this rack nice and good, but just wanted opinions if anyone else has done this before.
 
Depends what you're anchor bolting it to. The ones we do....we drill through the cement cinder block walls, and use heavy duty anchor bolts. I am comfortable loading them to capacity that way.
 
In addition to the rack mount server most likely not fitting as Slaters mentions, I would guess the same with the battery backup if that is rackmount as well.
 
You may want to look into something like this and mount the server closest to the wall..... found at serverrack.com

If the weight of server and battery backup are too much, you can always put an extra shelf above or below the cabinet for the battery backup unit.


wallmount-rack-cabinet-full-cp_1.jpg
 
Maybe consult the rack manufacturer/distributor. Ups' weigh a ton as we know. I would worry about anything gets other than concrete as mentioned above. Also check airflow is good and that air con is available. Stuffing a small rack will often cause switch and server fans to spin faster which can be an unacceptable level of noise.
 
As @Slaters Kustum Machines said, check the dimensions. I had the opportunity to pickup a rolling half rack for free. Get my servers off of the table top. But the Dell R710's are 27.75" deep, not including room for power cables etc, and the rack was something like 24".

As @YeOldeStonecat implies it's all about mounting hardware and the substrate. You want to put up a large sheet of .75" plywood, say a half sheet, and anchor that to the substrate using the appropriate hardware. Then you can mount the cabinet as you please with out having to line up on studs, etc. And do not skimp on the mounting hardware. You want to attach directly to studs if possible but most construction these days, at least businesses, have metal. So lag bolts are not recommended for those situations. I use break away toggle bolts like below. They are rated at 80# each, you could use 6 on sheetrock on a half sheet of plywood and easily handle the max load of 350#, rack plus max load. You can also drill through metal studs as well to use those. Counter sink the plywood a bit so the bolt head is below the surface of the plywood.


b1fc4f05-304a-4d5d-92bd-9c6ff3a6ba44_400.jpg
 
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YeOldeStonecat said:
Depends what you're anchor bolting it to. The ones we do....we drill through the cement cinder block walls, and use heavy duty anchor bolts. I am comfortable loading them to capacity that way.
Click to expand...
Stick walls. I don't recall if it was 2x4 or 2x6 when I did a walkthrough in February.
 
BlackLabTechs said:
In addition to the rack mount server most likely not fitting as Slaters mentions, I would guess the same with the battery backup if that is rackmount as well.
Click to expand...
Haven't looked at UPS units yet. Not going to get a huge unit as enough power to shut down gracefully after a minute or 2 is all that is required.
 
BlackLabTechs said:
You may want to look into something like this and mount the server closest to the wall..... found at serverrack.com

If the weight of server and battery backup are too much, you can always put an extra shelf above or below the cabinet for the battery backup unit.


wallmount-rack-cabinet-full-cp_1.jpg
Click to expand...
I'm fairly certain the tripplite wall mount cabinet was side mounted. I looked at so many different models that maybe I linked the wrong one.

Putting the UPS on a shelf yeah I might do that if I can't get everything in one cabinet. Keeps average people hands off equipment.
 
TurricanII said:
Maybe consult the rack manufacturer/distributor. Ups' weigh a ton as we know. I would worry about anything gets other than concrete as mentioned above. Also check airflow is good and that air con is available. Stuffing a small rack will often cause switch and server fans to spin faster which can be an unacceptable level of noise.
Click to expand...
AC was supposed to be ducted into the room. I haven't been back yet due to flooring and painters taking forever. Airflow should be good with all sides vented.
Markverhyden said:
As @Slaters Kustum Machines said, check the dimensions. I had the opportunity to pickup a rolling half rack for free. Get my servers off of the table top. But the Dell R710's are 27.75" deep, not including room for power cables etc, and the rack was something like 24".

As @YeOldeStonecat implies it's all about mounting hardware and the substrate. You want to put up a large sheet of .75" plywood, say a half sheet, and anchor that to the substrate using the appropriate hardware. Then you can mount the cabinet as you please with out having to line up on studs, etc. And do not skimp on the mounting hardware. You want to attach directly to studs if possible but most construction these days, at least businesses, have metal. So lag bolts are not recommended for those situations. I use break away toggle bolts like below. They are rated at 80# each, you could use 6 on sheetrock on a half sheet of plywood and easily handle the max load of 350#, rack plus max load. You can also drill through metal studs as well to use those. Counter sink the plywood a bit so the bolt head is below the surface of the plywood.


b1fc4f05-304a-4d5d-92bd-9c6ff3a6ba44_400.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I looked at the drawings, it could be tight fit. There is also the question of opening to access the rear. The space needed to fully open is a bit under 50" wide so I would want 60" to be on the safe side. So that would be a 5' wide closet.

Oops, just noticed that you had said the wall will already have plywood so all will be good using lags. The carpenters will, at least should, know to anchor the plywood to the studs.

As far as power I'd want a quad on it's own breaker, at least 20 Amps to be on the safe side. As far as cooling. I would not worry about the enclosure but the closet itself assuming the door stays closed most of the time. Should have a small baffle, say 2" x 6", near the top of the door for exhaust.
 
If this is going into a meeting room just remember the noise level. Also get the one with the plexiglass front.

Remember most of the depths listed don't allow for the door to close with the cables.

Remember the U needed for PDU, cable modems, shelf etc. I always like to get an extra 6u.

Do not put access point in the rack
 
Yep all valid points that I've already taken in account for. My query was mostly with large wallmount cabinets. I've only done small wallmount cabinets with lightweight items in them. Don't want to risk the cabinet falling off the wall. That would be bad!

This rack has more depth, 500lbs capacity, and is side mounted to the wall so it will be easy to get to the front and back of the cabinet. Run cabling through the top punchouts & sleeve: http://www.tripplite.com/smartrack-...t-wall-mount-rack-enclosure-cabinet~SRW18UHD/

Looking like 200lbs when loaded with equipment.
 
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Finally got access to the finished IT room. 6' wide wall where the backboard is installed. That Tripplite case needs 6.75' to have both doors swing open unobstructed. Diagrams don't show whether the doors can be reversed or not, but it says the doors are removable. So I think that should be fine. I don't think anyone will need frequent access to the rear door of the cabinet. Front door would be the most accessed for harddrives, powerswitch on server and UPS, network switch, etc.

lMsE7Uq.jpg
 
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Why not just do a 4 pole rack. Enclosed or not. 48u. That room looks like it will only be for tech stuff

A wall rack on stud will not come down using lags
 
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