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Selecting a server rack frame could be the most important part of the designing phase. In order to
assist with choosing a proper fit for your environment, here are 8 rack considerations to keep in
mind:
1. What size Rack Cabinet Enclosure do I need? Selecting the correct server cabinet size
depends on 2 major factors: the type of equipment needed for rack mount capabilities and
the amount of equipment requiring server rack enclosure space. The key to having a good
server rack buying experience is planning. Ideally, users should tally the total amount of
rack units currently needed and also keep in mind future expansion because cabinet rack
units can not be added on once a server rack is fabricated. If additional rack mount
accessories such as environmental monitoring, battery back-up, and/or remote power
management are required, extra front and rear cabinet space might be needed in order to
sufficiently mount rack accessories vertically and horizontally.
2. What is the significance of Internal Rack Cabinet Enclosure Dimensions? Internal
Dimensions should be used as a guide to gauge the size and amount of equipment one can
install in server rack enclosures. Internal vertical measurements from the tallest point of any
side rail to the bottom chassis is regarded as total internal height. Internal depth is figured
by measuring from the insides of both front and rear doors. Lastly, internal width
measurements extend from one side panel to the other.
When accessing rack mount needs, internal dimension measurements should also take into
consideration rack equipment and accessories that normally mount internally to the rear or
side of cabinets. Additional space can be modified during rack manufacturing to allow for
side, rear, and front mounted rack equipment. Additionally, the auxiliary compartment space
will provide room for ventilation systems, bulky power cords and cabling management
requirements.
3. What is the significance of External Rack Cabinet Enclosure Dimensions?
Determining server rack location within a data center or co-location facility is often
overlooked until the rack enclosure arrives at the dock for delivery. It is very crucial for
users to determine if the finalized exact external dimensions of the server rack will fit
through doorways and other obstructions of the intended target location. Consider carefully
environmental factors such as ceiling height and clearance regulations in your data center
or server farm. Also, be sure to respect dimensions of stairways and freight elevators if
server racks need to be transported through them for final placement.
4. Will my Rack Cabinet Enclosure fit in the room it’s intended for? Considerations such
as server rack weight and height are very important factors to take into account when
moving server racks from place to place. Particular server racks can weigh in at over 300
lbs and can stand very tall at over 7 feet. Server racks are large items which require
considerable effort when moving, rounding corners, lifting up stairs, and fitting in any tight
spaces. Please ensure that enough room has been made and accounted for before rack
enclosures are purchases and finalized.
5. Will the Rack Cabinet Enclosure fit through all doors on the way into the destination
room? All of our server rack enclosures ship fully assembled. There are some removable
components, such as door as side panels, but that will not change external dimensions of
the rack frame which cannot be taken apart. Please consider all product dimensions
carefully to ensure server racks meet all clearance regulations.
6. What is a Rack Unit? What does 40U mean? 44U? 48U? etc. A "Rack Unit" or Rack "U"
is an EIA standard allowance unit for measuring rack mount equipment. One "Rack Unit" is
equal to 1.75" in height. To calculate internal useable space of a rack enclosure, simply
multiply the total amount of Rack Units by 1.75". For example, a 44U rack enclosure would
have 77" of internal usable space (44 x 1.75).
7. How do I calculate how many Rack Units I need? Many data center managers calculate
rack enclosure height needed by determining the optimal rack unit usage. For example, if
users are aware that future plans call for the addition of 20 2U sized servers, they could
count on needing a 44U rack enclosure. This will allow enough internal height for
approximately 20 servers, room for a 1U patch panel and a 2U UPS back-up battery. Rear
or side vertically mounted power management devices will also have sufficient room to
perform their functions.
8. What is the purpose of a Relay Rack? A Relay Rack is a 2-post aluminum or steel
structure with either EIA standard (round) mounting holes or universal (square) mounting
holes. Relay Racks are also known as 2-Post Racks or Open Bay Racks. The vertical holes
spacing on Relay Racks are standardized for mounting Telco, or computer / network
equipment. Relay Racks can also mount cantilever shelving for other non-rack mountable
equipment.
The Open Bay rack design also provides maximum air flow for the entire rack due to the
open frame construction.
Rail Comparison:
Rack Mount Rails: We can manufacture server rack enclosures
with either Universal Mounting Rails (square holes fitted with cage
nuts) or with EIA Standard rails (10/32 tapped holes). All our
cabinet rails are high quality gauge steel (1/8" thick or more) and
have an electroplate finish to maximize protection.
Mounting Hardware
There are currently 3 types of Mounting Hardware used with our server cabinet rails:
10-32 Tapped Cage Nuts and Screws - American Version - Commonly used in all rack mount
applications including music, video, broadcast, data and more. The "10" refers to the drill size for a
tapped (threaded) hole. The outside diameter of a 10-32 screw is 0.19", it is smaller than a 12-24
screw. This screw type has 32 threads per inch.
12-24 Tapped Screws - American Version - The "12" refers to the drill size required for a tapped
(threaded) hole (a #12 drill is 0.189"). The outside diameter of a 12-24 screw is 0.2160". It is larger
than a 10-32 screw. This screw type has 24 threads per inch
M6 Tapped Cage Nuts and Screws - Metric Version - Metric thread size of 6 millimeters. Typical
thread size for European rack applications. Also used in Compaq racks and Euro racks sold here in
the US. Larger than both 10-32 and 12-24.
It depends on the mounting rails of the rack enclosure or relay rack you will be ordering. Most 4-
Post server racks, cabinets, LAN enclosures either use Cage Nuts and Screws for square hole type
Universal Mounting Rails or 1032 tapped screws for round hole style EIA Standard Mounting Rails.
Please be aware that almost all 2-post open relay racks use 1032 Tapped Screws (round hole
mounting rails).
Front Doors
Front doors are available in many different sizes and ventilation options. Locking mechanisms are
available on most doors; however, please check with our engineers before designing and ordering.
Perforated Steel
w/ Plexiglas Plexiglas Door - Perforated Steel -
Window - An Aluminum frame Steel - The solid Perforated steel Louvered - A solid
surrounds a full- steel door ships
Perforated steel door creates steel door with
with no holes or
door installed with length Plexiglas additional ventilation slots
window. windows.
a ventilation.
Plexiglas window.
Rear Doors
Rear doors are also available in many different sizes and ventilation options. Locking mechanisms
are available on most doors; however, please check with our engineers before designing and
ordering.
Cooling tip: adding a ventilated front and rear door will assist with air circulation by creating a front
to back flow pattern.
Mesh - Perforated steel door Louvered - A solid steel door
adds ventilation to any size rack with ventilation slots to help Solid - A steel rear door
enclosure. assist with rack ventilation.
Top Panels
A top panel will help secure servers and valuable rack equipment from foreign objects that could
enter into the Server Rack from above. Top panels can be ordered with perforated slots for added
ventilation along with grommet holes for supplementary cable management pathways. Top panels
are also designed to accept exhaust fans to help pull hot air out of the rack enclosure.
Please note that specialty cabinets such as Dust and Water Resistant Server Racks will not support
ventilated or fan.
Side Panels
Side panels offer security and Side panels are available in 3 options: solid fixed, solid removable,
and louvered.
Fixed Solid Side Panels: These are an economical option for those who
do not need side access to their equipment, or are buying a single rack
and not planning to expand or gang rack enclosures together in the future.
These panels are permanently attached to the Server Rack and maintain
the original dimensions.
Casters
Casters attach to the bottom of server cabinets to help maneuver racks around
the data center. Two of the four wheels lock to assist with keeping the Server
Rack from rolling.
Levelers
Levelers should be used if Casters are implemented to ensure that the rack
remains level once it’s moved from one place to another. Both Casters and
Levelers will install together on your server rack to provide maximum stability.
Air Circulation
A fan is the best way to maintaining a safe operating temperature for valuable rack
equipment. Fans attach to the top panel and assists with removing hot air from the
server cabinet. A fan mounted on the top of your Server Rack will help to keep
your servers at a cooler temperature.
A fan is an exhaust fan so it is pulling the hot air out of your server rack bringing in
the cooler air from the bottom of the server rack. A single top mounted fan that we
offer is rated at 550 CFM single phase 50/60 Hz.
Which shelf would work best in my server cabinet? The general rule of thumb is to measure 6”
shorter than depth of cabinet for all 4-post cabinets. This measurement will compute the optimal
shelf depth for your particular cabinet enclosure. Also, please take into consideration that rails are
often set at a distance less then the actual depth of the internal dimension.
Sliding Pullout Shelf - Pullout shelves are useful for positioning non-
rack mountable equipment in a server rack which needs frequent
access. Sliding Pullout Shelves mount to all 4 mounting rails of a 4-post
server rack.
Weight Limit: 150 lbs.
Power Distribution
Power Strips can be classified into 2 categories: standard and intelligent. Standard power strips
simply provide evenly distributed electrical power to servers and rack accessories. Sometimes,
standard power strips will provide features such as fuse replacement or current output displays.
Intelligent power strips provide users with remote power control. This feature will enable you to
cycle power or to completely reboot a server or rack device by using a simple internet browser or
Telnet session.
AMP requirements
Number of outlets required
Plug/receptacle requirements
Redundancy requirements (single, dual-power, quad-power)
Remote or standard power functionality
NEMA 5-15P NEMA 5-15R NEMA 5-20P NEMA 5-20P NEMA L5-15P NEMA L5-20P
Plug Receptacle Plug Receptacle Twist Lock Plug Twist Lock Plug
NEMA, created in the fall of 1926 by the merger of the Electric Power Club and the Associated
Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies, provides a forum for the standardization of electrical
equipment, enabling consumers to select from a range of safe, effective, and compatible electrical
products.
Blanking Panels
Server Rack Blanking Panels (sometimes called Filler Panels) are used
primarily for aesthetic purposes to fill in unused mounting space and give
the rack enclosure a full and attractive appearance. Blanking Panels are
especially appealing when either the front door of a Rack Enclosure is
frequently open or when viewed through Plexiglas doors.
Shipping Services
All SRO Universal Server Rack Cabinets are shipped via air freight and/or padded truck to the
location you specify. For large server farms and data centers please feel free to specify the server
rack bay location you would like us to place your rack.
Dock To Dock Delivery - We can deliver Server Racks directly to your dock. Customers
will be required to move the Server Rack to its final destination.
Inside Delivery - In addition to Dock to Dock delivery, we located the Server Rack into the
room where the Server Rack will be placed. The fee for Inside Delivery is $65.00. If stairs
are involved or if the installation takes more than 1 hour, there will be an additional fee
billed at $65/hour.
Inside Delivery and Packaging Removal - In addition to Inside Delivery we will unpack
your Server Rack, unbolt the attached pallet, and dispose of all shipping materials. The fee
for Inside Delivery and Packaging Removal is $225.00. If stairs are involved or if the
installation takes more than 1 hour, there will be an additional fee billed at $65/hour.
Yes, and many of our customers do. Apple Xserve servers are 19" EIA-
310-D rack mountable compliant, and securely fit in our Universal
Racks. You naturally want to be sure to select one of our racks deep
enough to handle your deepest piece of equipment. Apple recommends
using "Four-post racks from 29 to 36 inches deep" or Two-post Telco /
Relay Racks. Also, as Apple specifies front to rear cooling for their
Xserve servers, it is suggested that you consider options such as front
and rear vented or slotted doors.
Our Apple Xserve Server Specific Rack Mount Cabinet helps eliminate
and confusion or guess work. As with all of our Universal Server Racks,
you can customize these racks to meet your specific requirements. The
Apple Xserve Server
rack depth and options available however were specifically designed to
Specific
meet Apple's Xserve Server EIA-310-D mounting and ventilation
Server Rack Mount
requirements.
Cabinets
Please note that Apple Xserve servers come included with a cable
management arm for four-post racks, and 10/32" mounting screws.
Yes, and many of our customers do. Sun servers are 19" EIA rack
mountable, and securely fit in our Universal Racks. You naturally want to
be sure to select one of our racks deep enough to handle your deepest
piece of equipment. As Sun server equipment tends to run on the hot side,
it is also suggested that you consider options such as vented doors,
shelves, and an exhaust fan.
Our Sun Server Specific Rack Mount Cabinet was designed specifically
from the bottom up to be fully compatible with Sun Servers. Many Sun
Servers have side exhaust, and our Sun Server Rack Mount Cabinets are
Sun Server Specific designed with that in mind. Our Sun Racks come standard with extra
Server Rack Mount ventilation, rack mount rails specifically designed for Sun Servers, and the
Cabinets ability to mount your Sun servers from the sides.
Build & Price a Server Rack!
Start by selecting a Server Rack Frame by Height.
Usable Rack Depth: Though our rack mounting rails are fully adjustable, all server racks have to
allow a small amount of room ( 7/8" of an inch) on the front and rear for the rails to be mounted and
doors to open. Therefore when calculating the depth you require please keep in mind that the
usable depth will be 1 3/4" less then the Actual Depth. For example a 30" Deep server rack will
have 28 1/4" inches of usable "rail-to-rail" depth space.
30" Actual Depth = 32" Actual Depth = 36" Actual Depth = 40" Actual Depth =
28.25" Usable Depth 30.25" Usable Depth 34.25" Usable Depth 38.25" Usable Depth
Universal Server Racks are configured to be compatible with most computer server
manufacturer's equipment including: Compaq, Dell, HP, IBM, and Sun.
* 42U is the most common server rack height sold for data centers.
40" Depth & 42" Depth are the most common server rack depths for data centers & server rooms.
After you select the Rack Height you need above, you will then be able to select your Server Rack
Depth and Server Rack Manufacturer, and configure your rack to your specific requirements.
In selecting the height of your Server Rack you will want to keep in mind both what the Cabinet's
external height dimensions is, and how many "U's" (Rack Units) of rack mountable equipment you
need to fit in it. 1U (One Rack Unit) equals 1.75" in mounting rail height.
External Height: Determining your correct rack height is extremely important. Not only should you
consider both your current and future internal rack space requirements, but please be sure to allow
enough room for ceiling clearance and any cabling or site requirements as well as any dock or
freight elevator limitations you may have.
Rack Units: With the exception of some legacy equipment, monitors, and keyboards, most server
and network equipment sold today is intended to be rack mounted. 1U (One Rack Unit) is
approximately 1.75" in height, 2U is 3.5" in height, and so on. So for example if you have 20 x 2U
high servers you need to mount, you will need a server rack that has at least 40U of rack space
available - keeping in mind any room you need for a KVM switch, UPS's, patch panel, etc.
42U Racks:
42U Server Racks are the most common rack height sold for data centers. 42U = 42 Rack Units on
your Mounting Rails = 73.5" of rack mount space available. Please note that actual internal and
external height vary depending on rack manufacturer.
* 42U is the most common rack height sold for data centers.
8U Server Racks 37U Server Racks
12U Server Racks 40U Server Racks
13U Server Racks 41U Server Racks
24U Server Racks 42U Server Racks
25U Server Racks 44U Server Racks
26U Server Racks 45U Server Racks
31U Server Racks 47U Server Racks
36U Server Racks 48U Server Racks