home network - help with rack

I ran cable in my house before it was finished.
I'm all settled in, and am now ready to finish my network.

I'm thinking of having 2 patch panels -one for upstairs, which is already ran, and one for downstairs which will be run next summer

I figure I'll also have two switches, probably 12 port.

Eventually I would like to add a file server.
Other possibilities/requirements(?) would be a rackmount UPS

The space I would like to do everything in is under some stairs. If possible, I'd like to have a small rack mounted high...so I can move around and store stuff beneath it.
I'll have to build onto the bottom of the stairs to do the mounting, but I have friends that are handy.

Any recomendations on what rack to get?
I don't know anything about them, whats all the 4U, 2U stuff mean??

Are all rack widths the same??

 

[horhey]

Any recomendations on what rack to get?
I don't know anything about them, whats all the 4U, 2U stuff mean??

On average 1U = 1.75 inches high. So 2U = 3.5 inches high and so on.

Are all rack widths the same??

That varies but not by much about 19 inches wide on average.

I would start by looking at websites with images to give you an idea for what kind of racks are out there start by looking here http://www.rackmountpro.com/ they have some Rackmount Cabinets here link that should help you get an understanding.

 

[horhey]

Also http://www.server-rack-online.com/server-rack-information.html has some basic info on racks and accessories.

 

thanks

is there anyway i can make one?
i only want it to be about 2 or 3 feet high, i don't see any that small there

should i even use a rack, or should i just do shelves?

 

[cmetz]

jntdesign, there are hinged wall-mount racks that are 2U, 4U, and probably bigger - these work great for patch panels under stairs and in closets. I'd suggest you consider those for wiring. Rack mount UPSs and servers cannot be mounted in those (it would be bad), you'll need a full rack - you might be better off just getting regular UPSs and mini-tower cases and shelf mounting those.

 

[horhey]

jntdesign, there are hinged wall-mount racks that are 2U, 4U, and probably bigger - these work great for patch panels under stairs and in closets. I'd suggest you consider those for wiring. Rack mount UPSs and servers cannot be mounted in those (it would be bad), you'll need a full rack - you might be better off just getting regular UPSs and mini-tower cases and shelf mounting those.

Agreed.

 

[horhey]

double post.

 

will something like this work?

http://www.rackmountsolutions.net/Wall%20Mount%20Relay%20Rack.asp

30u with 125lb weight limit seem ok?

 

[vortix]

Originally posted by: jntdesign
will something like this work?

http://www.rackmountsolutions.net/Wall%20Mount%20Relay%20Rack.asp

30u with 125lb weight limit seem ok?

That will work as long as you don't use the rack to mount a UPS or server in. A "relay rack" (like the one you linked to) is only designed to hold patch panels and other lightweight stuff.

I would suggest this relay rack from Ortronics, if you're OK with going the relay rack route. It is wall mountable, which may be nice for your situation. Unfortunately real racks are pretty expensive for most home applications. This is the problem we're running into with our home also.

[edit] looks like that link will not work. Search for part number OR-604045400 on the Ortronics web site to see what I'm talking about. Here's a picture of it anyway.