I hate that cheap rackmount cases never come with rails, I would rather pay $20-40 extra and have the rails so I don't need to chase around trying to find compatible ones.
That said I usually try to find some "universal" rails, typically they are just L channels that the chassis sits over. I happen to have 4 pairs from a SAN I no longer use so I used them for the last 2 rackmount cases I bought.
Something like this:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/APC-2U-3U-4U...908473?hash=item2ef354ad39:g:AnUAAOSwgZ1XuQ3i
Downside is often the thickness of the rail actually brings the case slightly too high so it may not be able to be screwed to the rack, I've seen situations where you also have to leave 1U above. For any serious server I go Supermicro but they are quite more expensive.
Those are APC rails and typically won't work for servers due to the lip at the top (that you can see in the pictures on that link). I've got 4 sets of those rails.
I'm starting to realize now why there's so much bitching about norco cases. I love this norco 4224 but if you can't buy decent rails and rack it properly it's kind of a big problem. I'll probably end up switching to a supermicro chassis next year sometime. For now i'll get the shelf rails and run with it a little while longer.
It's not just the rails, although that's a big one. Even if you find them and get them mounted. The rails really aren't designed for a 4U case, especially a full loaded one. I had a 4220 in the past, used the same argument that most people make. "But it's soooo much cheaper". Not so much once you actually get into it. I'm looking to refresh my ESX hosts with newer Supermicro boxes, so here's a comparison
Norco RPC-2212: $300
Norco NL-26: $40
SeaSonic SSN-7522G: $350
Supermicro SC826BE16-R920LPB: $792
Rail kit: Included
Redundant Power Supply: Included.
You're already only $2 apart and the Supermicro is superior in every aspect. High quality hot swap fans vs non-PWN crappy no-name fans. High quality easy install rail kit vs cheap generic rail kit that tries to kill you when you install it. 920w Platinum Power supply with low noise mode vs having to find a suitable aftermarket option. In the above example, the Seasonic was the closest match I could find price wise and while Seasonic's are great power supplies, it's not as good as the one Supermicro includes and knowing Norco, the Seasonic may or may not fit in the case. Sure, you could go with a standard ATX power supply but presumably you're buying a rackmount case to hold a server board and regular ATX power supplies with dual 8 pin connectors aren't as common as some might think.
Then there's all the little things. Norco has a surprising habit of screwing SOMETHING up on their front panels. They are crappy buttons in general but often the cables are labelled wrong and/or reversed. SAS backplane is of inferior quality. No filtered front panel option. Case lid is screwed on rather than using a tool-less option. As hard as it may be to imagine, even the drive trays feel cheap. If you pair your Supermicro case with a Supermicro board, you are getting REALLY close to an HP/Dell OEM experience but with the flexibility to choose your own parts.
I made the Norco mistake once. Never again.
. If I had it to do over again no way would I buy one. I think next year I will order at least one of these (SC846BA-R1K28B), possibly two. And if I can sell this norco and recoup $100 bucks i'll be happy.
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