Network Cabinets?

[netsysadmin]

Ok I need some info regarding Netowrk Cabinets. I have a relay rack at home to hold all my servers that I run. The rack is big enough to the job, but I am having issues with my rack mount server. The weight on my rackmount is make the rack a little to heave on the backside. Since I am going to add a few more rackmount boxes I figures it would be a good time to step up to a cabinet instead. I dont mind paying for something nice, but I dont want to spend a load either. Can you guys recomend a nice stand alone cabinet with sides and front and rear doors. So far I have found the one listed below.

You can find this unit for roughly $600 shipped
Startech.com Cabinet

Thanks!!

John

 

[Thoreau]

How many U are you looking for?

 

[ScottMac]

Another option for you might be a four-point rack (basically two sets of verticals on a common base).

It gives you the rear support, but still allows full access. Most allow adjustment of the verticals front-to-back bepth to accommodate the deeper rack-mount servers.

I have a Rittal, but I'm sure there are others (try Chatsworth ... or surf GreyBar, Anixter, or similar industrial supplier.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[netsysadmin]

Im looking for one for my house. I am also wanting the completely enclosed unit so it looks a little cleaner(Keeps the wife happy!!)

John

 

[azev]

If you're willing to spend a bit more, I would go with dell 4210 server rack. That is all I have in my new job, and let me tell you, its probably the best rack that I've work with.
Ebay has alot of refurbished one for $999 shipped. I am thinking of getting one of them and replacing all my home servers to rack mounted pretty soon. The hardest part is to convince my wife why i needed 10k just to upgrade my network LOL

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
Another option for you might be a four-point rack (basically two sets of verticals on a common base).

It gives you the rear support, but still allows full access. Most allow adjustment of the verticals front-to-back bepth to accommodate the deeper rack-mount servers.

I have a Rittal, but I'm sure there are others (try Chatsworth ... or surf GreyBar, Anixter, or similar industrial supplier.

Good Luck

Scott

Funny that you mention Rittal. Our physical layer guru swears by them.

but to the OP, for a home situation you do a totally enclosed rack solution that resembles a power box. Meaning it has standard rack mount dimensions but is fully enclosed.

Also there are tons of fully enclosed wall mount racks in the 4-10u range.

 

[ScottMac]

The wall-mont cabintes & racks wouldn't be deep enough for most servers.

Check out Homack or Chatsworth.

Rittal also makes cabinets (they make 'em for Compaq and APC as well)... Rittal is a top-end product, built like a tank ... but they're a tad pricey.

Pay attention to the "Depth" dimension ... cabinets come in many sizes. I suspect you'll need one that's in the 40 - 48 inch range.

Another option might be to get a 'Telco" cabinet - 23" rails instead of 19" ... then put in rail reducers to bring it down to 19". The larger cabinet provides better airflow and tends to not overheat as much.

WHich leads into the next topic: ventilation. Make sure you have enough fan on the roof of that cabinet to keep the air moving. It's going to be noisy ... but if you want to fully enclose, then forced ventilation is mandatory .... lots ... of air movement.


Good Luck

Scott

 

[netsysadmin]

Azev...can you mount any manufacturers equipment in a Dell rack? I was under the impression there might be something specific to the Dell rack?

thanks,

John

 

[ScottMac]

Nope, nothing specific ... beyond the depth (front to back), the rail & screw spacing is pretty much standard (three holes per "u" ... two close, one big space).

FWIW

Scott

 

[netsysadmin]

I think I am pretty much sold on the Dell 4210 rack. I have seen them on sale from vendors other than Dell, but does anyone know what that rack actually retails for from Dell so I can have a price comparison?

Thanks for all the info!!

John