Server Rack - open or closed

[layoric]

Hey all -

As I work out of our 1/2 basement, space is a premium. So far, I've had servers as workstation boxes on the floor, and network components crammed in a small vented/locked 4U box. However, I have all the switches/cable modem, cables, etc. in that box, and it is a major pain to change out something or add additional wire from behind, as the box is in a cabinet, and all the UPS units are resting on it. Very nice for hiding away, but just not very user friendly!

I've worked with a server rack system before, but only one kind. It was at a university, and they were all closed, you could walk all the way around them. They had windowed doors, and were quite tall.

I'd like to have one here, but I don't know enough about the different ones. Are the open type good, or are they a mess in the back? Should they be setup so that there's room to get to the back for wiring, or do all of them have some sort of hinge for racks/shelves? Can you put any standard rack component in any of them? Finally, is it possible to mount/rest desktop tower (non server systems) in them?

Thanks for any input --
Layoric

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Going with a full enclosed server cabinet in your own basement is, IMO, a luxury where the answer to if you can get one is up to your budget.

I love APC NetShelters....use those for my clients usually. Fully enclosed gives a good neat appearance, if it's densely stacked with servers having sides aides to good front==> rear airflow. Front and rear doors adds to security.

Yes you can get shelves for them to stack in other things that aren't servers on rails or equipment on ears.

 

[layoric]

Thanks for the info, I'll check them out. Possibly used on craigslist

 

[gikstar]

Hopefully you have a way of getting a 42U server rack into your basement.

I would suggest that you contact the companies that recycle computer related items (Electronic waste collector), in addition to watching Craigslist. I have gotten several free, paid $40 for one, $125 for one fully enclosed... they are out there available. The best one I found was a working 42U air-conditioned rack for $100, which we sold to a Dentist for his office for $2,500 (he was happy to get it for less than half the price of a new unit). Three weeks ago I picked up a free, open 42U rack in Santa Monica and resold it the next week.

We had worked with an enclosed 42U rack in our 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment for a while until we sold it to a client and picked up a 4' enclosed version. Depending on what you put in the rack, it can get real noisy, therefor a need for enclosed sides (also good for security).

They make short shelves that screw into the front or rear uprights on the rack, in fact I have some up on Craigslist at the moment for sale, along with a Telco style rack and an enclosed 32" server rack on castors. Some other styles of shelves are deeper and you mount them so they are facing in... usually put your router, small NAS, etc on it.

I don't think brand name is important... I go for the price.

Can you put a standard desktop into one? Yes if the rack is tall enough you can stand it up, or depending on the height of the desktop computer case, you can lay it on it's side.

Most racks have adjusting front and rear rails. Servers are screwed onto the front rails and can also have sliding rails, and to use the sliding rails they will have to be supported in the front and back. Everything depends on what you are going to put into the rack. You have deep (long) servers and you have the shorter variety of servers, all should be the standard 19" wide. If the unit is deep enough you can adjust the rear uprights to accommodate your patch panel and switch so that the cables remain inside of the rack.

Make sure that you install a UPS unit in the lowest portion of the rack and build up from there, leaving breathing room between units as you go, but it is not entirely necessary.

If you lived close by here I'd help you out with some of my extra parts.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Thanks for the info, I'll check them out. Possibly used on craigslist

Finding them used isn't necessarily a cost savings....as the shipping will constitute more than 50% of the final price. Think..."how much would it cost to ship a refrigerator?"

Also used ones will tend to miss parts, components.

A brand new APC netshelter will run you around 1200 bucks..not factoring in fancy options, but a nice basic unit with standard features. IMO they are one of the nicer kits out there. I have worked with a lot of different brands...and IMO ..actually IME (in my experience)...brands do make a difference. I've worked with some pretty cheap ones out there which are a real pain in the arse to work on. Things not lining up well, poorly machined edges (think...cuts on your hands and arms and skinned wires), lack of features for mounting things like cable organizers, tinny closing doors, no leveling features, putting in rails for servers is a nightmare because things aren't lined up well inside, etc etc. Oh yeah..a bit one....cheap ones..and you have to fight with the mounting screws to get equipment in. That's a huge time waste for you. Good ones...you can turn those screws in by hand cuz the threads are done well.


So if you can pick one up locally...you'll save money. But if you need to have one shipped..may as well get new.

 

[NWPhotog]

Used full size racks sell for $50-$200 here in like new condition on CL. I can't imagine paying full bore plus shipping for my personal use. I have a 3' tall enclosed one I am using now that I got for free.

 

[rsarceno]

Should they be setup so that there's room to get to the back for wiring, or do all of them have some sort of hinge for racks/shelves? Can you put any standard rack component in any of them?

First of all Brand name vs no brand server rack is almost identical except no brand is 1/3 cheaper. Dell rack mount cabinet with cable management are nice to work with. When you pull the server, the cable management keeps the cable organized and easy to work with.

Close or open cabinet really depends on your situation. Rack cabinet doors is not cheap. I've deploy open and close server rack on both private and public sector. I normally have full enclosure if the room is shared with other people like MPOE, or servers in shared environment. It doesn't give you 100% security but it eliminate the possibility of people bumping to your equipment.

Sometime it's an issue if you have cabinet side by side. Buying from different vendors makes it difficult to open the door all the way.

Management like displaying their computer rooms. I normally put brand name with smoke glass in the front row and regular no brand with screen door on the second row and so on. With this setup, you can get three cabinets for the price of one.

In most cases, clients will put servers racks not designed for computer room. For example a small room with no ventilation or loaded water sprinklers. As we know water and electric don't fix. Cover the top and Glass / Plastic door will minimize water damage.

You can mount almost anything on a rack mount cabinet. They sell all type of accessories.