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4-post rack recommendations?

A

alizee

Senior member
I'm finally got my server/switch/router rack-ready, I now just need the rack! I'm looking for a 4-post rack, or maybe cabinet. I think 12U would be about right, 10U would be too little, or 14-15U might be ok to give me some room to grow.

I'm frugal but not cheap, so price is a consideration but I don't want to give up too much quality.

Thanks!
 
What you are asking for is quite expensive... Here's one of the cheapest options I know of that's "real" 15U Open Rack for $485 shipped to my location w/ the wheels and not assembled.

Another popular choice in your exact size is from Kendall Howard, just google 1932-3-201-12 and ignore that super cheap one with free shipping, it's wrong shipping is another $200.

Make sure you research whether these racks have what you need. Depth is most important, then also the lovely choice of rail styles (square hole vs threaded vs unknown).

Lastly, the dirt cheap option: IKEA mod
 
DJ / AV racks are generally not suitable for 1 of 2 reasons. They are either 2 post, and servers can't be face mounted. Or they are too shallow for server depth cases.

Again, double check that the rack you are interested in is deep enough to support your equipment.
 
alizee said:
Thanks for the input.



This is the case I just bought:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-041-_-Product

It's 25.5" deep. It's kind of hard to read specs on some of the racks. For the 25.5" case, do I need a rack that has an inside depth of 26"? 25"? shorter? longer? How does the case mount in the back?
Click to expand...

Depends on case. I am not sure what you are trying to accomplish...most want to mount network gear in a rack which usually just mounts on the front 'ears'.

Larger items like that server case may need rear support...you have to read the specs.

An enclosed rack has a limit to behind the rail spacing and in front of the rail spacing. Some are adjustable.
 
For a 25.5" deep case, for a rack with doors you want the rear inside depth to be 27" minimum to *guarantee* the door closes over the wiring. Without doors, you only need to be able to service the minimum depth of the rail kit. If Norco isn't lying about the RL-26 rail kit, you need 26" for the rails to fit.

To mount that case you buy the RL-26 rail kit. The rails have ears front and rear and you screw them to the vertical rails on the rack. There is a section of the kit that you attach to the server. Once these two operations are done separately you slide the server onto the rails.
 
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That case will certainly require being mounted on rails (have experience with one that is very similar). The holes on the front "ears" are only for keeping in from sliding out on the rails.

As for depth, the mounting rails are going to stick out a ways from the rear, at least an inch, maybe 1.5".

Also, has mentioned above 4 post racks have to be mounted to the ground, and typically have a wall strap. Although the wall strap can be optional. But if you are in CA like I am, I highly suggest the wall strap (earth quake proofing, and yes, they help a LOT).

I only have first hand experience with chatsworth racks, and they are great quality. But I know they are not the cheapest out there.
 
A short rack such as the 12U or 15U being looked at shouldn't require a wall strap, even in CA. Not having it on wheels would help in that situation, I don't know if these racks have the extendable feet to leave the wheels on but not have them support the weight of the rack.
 
alaricljs said:
A short rack such as the 12U or 15U being looked at shouldn't require a wall strap, even in CA. Not having it on wheels would help in that situation, I don't know if these racks have the extendable feet to leave the wheels on but not have them support the weight of the rack.
Click to expand...

Ahh yeah, if its a short rack, the strap is not required. And they typically dont mount to the floor, they just have wheels and/or expendable feet.
 
The only way to be certain is to contact Norco and ask if the RL-26 rail kit *really* fits 26" racks. Of course, they'd be idiots to call it a 26" rail kit if it didn't.

Quality wise, I'd be concerned that the different height models aren't weight capacity rated separately. 400lbs is nothing inside a 42U rack. It wouldn't be hard to find 14U worth of stuff weighing 600+ lbs. As to the 4x the UL weight claim, wtf do I know?

If you know what you're putting in the rack for it's expected lifespan then you should have enough info to make the decision.
 
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