Popular Types of Server Racks & Cabinets

The easiest way to tidy up your room is to put everything in the closet. Laconic and well-structured, it helps make the most of the space, arrange things on the shelves, and provide quick access to them. Order in server rooms is no less important because there are many high-precision devices that must be reliably protected from falling, overheating, and accessing unauthorized. For these purposes the special furniture can be installed, which is called a server cabinet.

What is the Server Cabinet?

This is professional furniture that houses servers, communication and networking equipment. It is a metal box with shelves, metal or glass doors, technological openings, a ventilation system. A server rack cabinet is designed to:

• Arrange different types of hardware ergonomically and compactly;
• Provide quick access to all devices;
• Maintain the required temperature level that ensures equipment continuous operation;
• Protect devices from contamination and unauthorized access.

Server Cabinet Classification

There are different models on the market. All of them are designed for various strategies. Let’s see what types of cabinets are distinguished. There are several classifications based on different factors. Thus, they distinguish models by the purpose of use:

• telecommunication (local area network equipment);
• server (active devices: routers, patch panels, switches);
• switching (passive equipment: cables, splitters, crosses).

Another classification deals with construction type:

• wall-mounted models, in which the depth is limited (no more than 23 inches). Routers, hubs, switches are placed in them;
• floor-standing products that are capable of withstanding heavy devices. They are used for servers, uninterruptible power supplies. Open-frame racks are subdivided here.

Standard Set of the Server Cabinet

So, let’s take a look from the inside. To choose the correct network server rack, you should understand what exactly should be there:

• a frame, mounting rails from the hole for installing devices;
• sidewalls (except open-frame models), doors (metal or glass) with locks, top panel;
• shelves, plugs to fill unused space;
• adjustable anti-slip legs with stabilizers, supports, leveling plinth;
• technological openings for cables, wires with plugs;
• horizontal, vertical blocks of sockets;
• a grounding bus;
• modules for installing ventilation and cooling systems.

Additionally, it can be equipped with fixed castors.

Popular Models for Modern Server Rooms

Cabinets differ in size, parameters (depth, width, height), power, and other factors. All of them are created for certain purposes. Nowadays, the following types of racks are most demanding on the market.

Open Frame Server Racks

This is a simplified version of the server cabinet. Since it does not have walls and doors, it is distinguished by increased heat exchange and good ventilation properties. 19-inch racks are usually installed in areas where access to hardware is limited since devices are open and not protected. Installation of equipment in such a rack is simple and highly practical. The use of the model:

• ensures a compact placement of telecommunications equipment (including cables and patch cords);
• creates optimal conditions required or normal hardware performance;
• provides more convenient device maintenance.

The high demand for such racks is explained by the low cost of the product.

Within this class, they sub-classify two types of standard open-frame products, namely 2- and 4-post models.

Single-frame (= 2-post) racks are not expensive products that are characterized by a low price and compactness. However, the use of such a rack is somewhat limited. 2-post models can only hold small equipment such as patch panels and switches. These racks are used in small offices or as intermediate nodes in larger networks.

Two-frame (=4-post) racks take up more space than the first model and tend to be more expensive. They are more stable and provide a more solid construction. They are also distinguished by the ability to store much more items than single-frame racks; thus, they are more popular for large server networking. Their weight capacity allows heavy hardware such as backup batteries and UPS systems to be mounted.

The main shortcoming of open-frame models is security. Due to its open design, the level of protection is low. So, such systems are installed on closed premises.

Wall-mounted Rack Cabinets

This is an enclosed type of server cabinet, which is used for optimal and convenient equipment placement. Models differ in design and can provide, for example, the possibility of organizing the entire air/water circulation system or installing fiber-optic cables. Besides, wall-mounted cabinets often have removable walls, which is very convenient when connecting, reconnecting, repairing, diagnosing, and maintaining hardware.

Using such products is a great way to ensure the complete safety of your equipment. If only a few employees of the company can have access to the unit, then it can be limited with a lock (many models of server cabinets are equipped with locks). When a fiber optic cable is required to be pulled to the cabinet, it is passed through special openings that are always available.

Another indisputable advantage of this product is space-saving since they are mounted on the wall leaving more free space on the floor. But here, immediately comes a shortcoming, which is its limited load. Heavy items won’t be placed in wall-mounted boxes.

Portable Server Cabinets

This type of designed for transporting hardware. Its main advantage is portability and being lightweight. But load decreases significantly.

Sound Proof Server Cabinets

Due to a specific server rack cabinet enclosure, the unique coating of panels and cabinet doors with a special insulating material prevents low-range noise from passing through. The solution is perfect for banks, insurance companies, laboratories, compact offices.

Ergonomic hardware allocation will help monitor all devices and achieve the highest performance indicators. Note that any type of cabinets must be placed in a well-air-conditioned data center. Make sure that the ventilation in a server room functions well.

A wide assortment of racks for any purpose and room is offered at https://sysracks.com/. There, you’ll find an appropriate model for your server room.

Points to Consider when Picking the Right Server Rack Model

1. The depth is determined by the type of construction: for a wall-mounted one, the depth cannot exceed 600 mm, and for a floor-mounted one it should be 10-15 centimeters deeper than the depth of the installed equipment to simplify cable routing.
2. Carrying capacity. It also depends on the type of construction because for hanged models it does not exceed 500 kg, while for floor products, it can be more than 1000 kg.
3. Ventilation and cooling are the key issues. Ventilated design or perforation of doors, walls, free airflow inside, the presence of a temperature sensor guarantee a long, stable operation.
4. If you choose a floor-standing model, make sure the legs are adjustable in height to ensure an even positioning on the floor.
5. The correct location and number of technological openings for cables, socket blocks, grounding elements will help you to correctly distribute the equipment on the shelves. If cable entries are located on all sides, they should be insulated to prevent dust, dirt, and foreign objects from getting inside. But the holes for the cables located at the bottom require an additional protective box.
6. Consider what will be placed in the data server cabinet. Always remember that you may need to add new equipment in the future. Plan additional space for new devices, cables, routers, patches, fans.
7. Purchase from a manufacturer. This ensures that the equipment won’t let you down. In addition, manufacturers usually offer more flexible systems for order payment and delivery.

The organization of space in the server room is an important strategic task on which the accuracy of the operation of all installed devices and the speed of servicing client requests depend. The chosen cabinet should meet all the requirements and fully satisfy your demands. Taking this issue seriously will allow you to get the most out of your hardware.