10 Things to Consider When Buying custom rack mount enclosures

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Building a workstation in a rackmount chassis

Building a rackmount workstation or server can be annoying and difficult. Rackmount chassis need to fit a certain size standard in order to be compatible with server racks. Rackmount servers and workstations typically come in the standard sizes of 1U, 2U, 3U, and 4U.  

1U is 1.75&#; in height, leaving limited room for cooling or larger, powerful components. Building in these small cases makes component selection limited. Rackmount chassis manufacturers can also lack proper documentation, making it difficult to determine which components are compatible for the case. 

Why is it difficult to build rackmount workstations and servers?

 

Many rackmount chassis give little consideration to AIO compatibility. It is difficult to find a full list of compatible AIOs when researching rackmount cases. Even if you find one that fits without a compatibility guide, the screw holes might not align, and other headaches are bound to occur. Not only do the Sliger 3u and 4u rackmount chassis have official AIO support, but much care and consideration were put into placing components within. 

How to easily build in a 4U rackmount case

 

The CX series of 4U rackmount chassis offer a full-sized unit with special layout considerations to allow fitment of an AIO while still maintaining drive mounts and a support bar, or other available layouts with HDD mounting only or multiple 5.25 bays. This allows for greater component combability, making parts that are incompatible with other server rackmount chassis now available for your configuration.  

How to easily build in a 3U rackmount chassis 

3U

rackmount workstation featuring Sligher CX

The CX series takes it to another level, shrinking the size down to a minimum. The 3U chassis makes use of right-angle GPU mounting to allow for 3.5 slot thick cards, up to 12 inches in length with the radiator installed. 

What is a rackmount server?

 

A rackmount server is a server designed in a chassis meant to be compatible with a server rack. What is a server rack? 

What is a server rack?

 

Server racks store electrical equipment, most commonly servers. They come in assorted sizes allowing for a variety of server combinations. A standard rack is typically 42U. This means that it could fit 42 1U servers, 24 2U servers, 14 3U servers, or 10 4U servers and 1 2U server. 

What is a 1U server?

 

1U servers take up one unit of space in a server rack. With a standard-sized 42U server rack, you can fit 42 individual servers. The issue with 1U servers is that they are only 1.75&#; tall. This makes component combability extremely limited and provides very few cooling options.  

What is a 3U Server?

 

A 3U server rack takes up three units of space in a server rack. With features like support for up to two processors, full-sized PCI slots, and 5.25&#; drive bays, 3U rackmount servers offer a wider range of component options. Granted, these chassis are still more compact than your typical desktop PC. 

Building a Rackmount Workstation or Server with AVADirect

 

Working with Sliger as an official partner provides us with the capabilities to custom-make made-to-order rackmount chassis. If you have a specific use case with a unique form factor, we can build a server suitable for your use.  

This buying guide will help you:

Are server racks hard to install? No. Most racks come fully assembled and ready to accept IT equipment. Compatible designs, toolless mounting and an extensive line of rack accessories mean easy planning, fast deployment and more efficient maintenance. As long as you have a level floor or surface that is capable of bearing the combined weight of a rack and the equipment inside of it, installing a cabinet is quite simple.

What is a server rack? Server racks are open frames or cabinets designed for mounting, organizing and securing EIA-standard 19-inch width rack-mount IT and A/V equipment such as servers, routers, hubs, switches and audio/video components, regardless of the manufacturer. They also provide cable management and enable optimized airflow for increased operational efficiency and prolonged equipment life.

Features like quick-adjust mounting rails, modular side panels and toolless mounting slots for vertical PDUs and cable managers facilitate installation and configuration. Seamless compatibility with all EIA-standard 19-inch rack equipment ensures trouble-free setup.

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Makes your job easier Most server racks have been designed to optimize installation and maintenance, and that philosophy shows in the details that make routine tasks quicker and easier, adding up to big benefits over the workday.

Support diverse applications Many server rack heights, widths, depths and other variations are available, with a wide range of configuration options so support any application.

Deliver efficient cooling Most network racks feature front-to-rear airflow that supports efficient hot-aisle/cold-aisle configurations and exceed server manufacturer requirements to keep equipment operating reliably. Roof and panel fans are also available to optimize cooling efficiency.

Provide organization and security for critical equipment Server racks have sturdy steel frames and locking cabinets to secure and organize up to 3,000 lbs. of 19-inch rack equipment. They provide safe homes for servers, storage, network hardware and all the indispensable devices that keep your network efficient and productive.

Extra locks and panels to protect your rack equipment from damage, tampering or theft.

Provides extra support for your KVM, UPS system or other rack equipment.

Shelves and locking draws for convenient storage of laptops, towers, tools, cables, etc.

Brackets and rack extensions for your KVM, patch panels and DIN rails.

Hardware and other accessories for mounting rack equipment or managing cabling in your data center.

Directs warm air away from your rack equipment or cool air directly toward it to improve your cabinet's airflow and keep your equipment at peak levels.

Recommended for setting up network or digital signage installations that require cabling to run along walls and ceilings, above drop ceilings or through inner duct systems for long distances.

Securely conceals your network or other cabling, protects it from damage, and keeps it neat and organized outside of walls.

Hardware lets you mount cable ladders above your rack enclosures and extend them horizontally or vertically to maximize space.

Organizes and safely routes cabling across the top of a rack enclosure, creating a dedicated path that helps eliminate cable stress.

Eliminates cable stress by organizing cabling across the top of your rack, neatly bundling it across an aisle or within a row of bayed racks.

Cuts down on cable clutter and stressed connections by safely supporting and segregating the equipment cabling from either side of the rack to interior connections.

Prevents messy cable clutter by supporting and organizing cabling, while routing it from either side of the rack to interior connections.

Installs inside your rack enclosure to organize cabling and/or provide additional 0U mounting of PDUs and other devices and accessories with toolless mounting keyhole slots.

Compatible designs, tool-less mounting and an extensive line of rack accessories mean easier planning, faster deployments and more efficient maintenance.

Eaton's premium-grade floor and wall mount server racks and cabinets organize and secure IT equipment wherever it is located, from high-density data centers to the tightest of spaces at the edge of your network.

How to Choose a Server Rack: Key Questions to Ask

When selecting a server rack, there are some key questions that need to be answered.

What size of rack do you need?

The height of a rack and the height of equipment in it is expressed in "rack units" (a rack unit is 1.75 inches, or 44.45mm). The actual height of a 42U rack is therefore 42 x 1.75 = 73.5 inches. A 2U server would occupy two of the available 42 rack units.

Some racks cabinets come pre-assembled and can be rolled through standard 7-ft. (2.13m) commercial doorways. This allows network equipment to be racked, cabled and rolled into place in a server room for easy installation.

Wall-mount racks offer secure organization for standard 19-inch rack equipment and can support depths up to 36 inches in locations with limited floor space. Most include clear acrylic windows that allow you to monitor equipment without unlocking rack doors.

Open-frame, low-profile and vertical-mount racks are also available to accommodate unique network equipment sizes in locations where security is not a priority and space is limited.

Be sure to make an accurate assessment of the amount of rack space you currently need, and allow for future growth as your network expands.

What is the maximum rack depth required?
Rack depth is dictated by the deepest device you want to install. Determine the maximum rack depth required to mount your equipment in a floor-standing or wall-mount rack enclosure cabinet.

Floor-Standing Rack Depth Designations

Rack Depth (in.) Ideal for... Shallow 27 A/V equipment, limited space Mid-depth 31 Limited space Standard 37 Servers Deep 42 Extra cables, improved airflow

Wall-Mount Rack Depth Designations

Rack Depth (in.) Ideal for... Patch-depth < 16 Patch panels Switch-depth 16 - 23.99 Switches UPS-depth 24 - 31.99 UPS systems Server-depth > 32 Servers

See this convenient Rack Advisor Tool to find a rack that can accommodate the depth and weight of a UPS system, servers and switches it powers.

Can the rack handle the weight of your equipment?
A fully populated rack can weigh upwards of 3,000 lbs. Make sure that the capacity of the rack is greater than the total weight of the equipment being mounted.

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