Media Center / Network Rack

[Augus7us]

As I go bankrupt buying stuff I see on here for my shop remodel. One item has me scratching my head a bit.

I know I've seen racks installed in shops in the past, however I wasn't sure if I could get one to also house network switches, routers and a patch panel.

Does such a thing exist? Maybe they all go by the same standards and any rack will do? Sorry I've been working in the shop every free minute I have and no time to research this.

Thanks

 

[JimNC]

I used to have a wall-mounted aluminum rack, basically aluminum angle “iron” bolted together with holes drilled and tapped on the front supports. Used it until I moved, then recycled it. Can’t remember the brand, but to answer your question, they do exist.

 

[jismay]

Unless you manage to find weird 24" racks which are generally only used by the telcos anything you find should be standard-width 19" Racks. The only thing to keep in mind is how long your switches, etc are and how they mount to the rack. Generally speaking a 2-post 19" will be good for everything except actual servers. Server which can be mounted in 2-post racks are a bit thin on the ground these days.

 

[Falcon67]

Just one link out of a gazillion
https://www.lowvoltagecables.com/ra...NsZMVdbrm6zuKKk-tPjguJvsRzle_wkYaAhauEALw_wcB

Also search Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=network+rack

 

[maxpat82]

except of a patch pannel. regular house switch/router are rarely rackmount ready.

 

[velillen01]

Have had two setups in my home. First was a Middle Atlantic rack. Regular standalone type. But ive since downgraded (the MA rack was way to big for my needs really) to just a wall mount one.

Only thing that wont really be "rack mountable" will be your modem and wireless router unless you go with server grade stuff but that is way more $$ than needed. In the MA rack I had a shelf and just set them there. The new setup they just sit on the shelf below the rack.

The racks are nice for organizing things if you have a lot of hard wired stuff. I have two 16 port switches, patch panel, and a surge protector all in my rack now.

 

[ed_v]

www.middleatlantic.com


I've used their products for years. Great stuff.

 

[Falcon67]

Of all the stuff in our "IDF", only the 24 port switch and the PDU would be rackable. Everything else will sit on a perforated shelf. The Ubiquity 60w 8 port and the DVR get hotter'n hell.

 

[CoogarXR]

Be aware too that many rackmount network switches have LOUD fans. I went through 3 different switches before I found one that couldn't be heard upstairs (rack is in the basement).

I have a rack that houses my CCTV DVR, power supply, media server pc, switch, network patch panel and switch. I also have a bunch of old CATV stuff in there, signal amplifier, agile modulators, etc. But it's not connected anymore.

 

[tthornto]

Network Equipment racks and enclosures can be a little expensive, I suggest picking up a used one at a local electronics recycler or auction. They can be found used for barely more than scrap value if you know where to look. If it is a rack with threaded holes just beware you might need to chase some of the threads with a tap. The racks with square holes are preferable because they use replaceable cage nuts instead of just threaded holes. If you have a dusty environment then look for an enclosed rack.

The normal configurations are 2 post or 4 post with the 4 posts being available as open or enclosed. They come in differing heights and are measured in U's 1U equals 1.75-inches (44.45mm) of rack height. Therefore, a 2U rack mount height would be 2 x 1.75”, which equals 3.5-inches high. A 3U height would be 3 x 1.75” = 5.25-inches.

 

[Slednut]

Telco racks are 19 and 23 inch, at home I put all my stuff on a shelf and got a small 4RU rack for my patch panel.

 

[Richie Rich]

Network Equipment racks and enclosures can be a little expensive, I suggest picking up a used one at a local electronics recycler or auction. They can be found used for barely more than scrap value if you know where to look. If it is a rack with threaded holes just beware you might need to chase some of the threads with a tap. The racks with square holes are preferable because they use replaceable cage nuts instead of just threaded holes. If you have a dusty environment then look for an enclosed rack.

The normal configurations are 2 post or 4 post with the 4 posts being available as open or enclosed. They come in differing heights and are measured in U's 1U equals 1.75-inches (44.45mm) of rack height. Therefore, a 2U rack mount height would be 2 x 1.75”, which equals 3.5-inches high. A 3U height would be 3 x 1.75” = 5.25-inches.

This is a great tip.

Secondhand equipment racks have the resale value of 3 week old milk.

There are cheaper alternatives to the commercial racks too.
Omnimount sells consumer grade racks that are a fair bit cheaper then MA, as do a few other wholesale/trade only companies like SnapAv. While I can't quote prices, the bare bones racks from Snap are cheap enough to where even my cheap self bought one.
Even if you don't have a pile of rackmounted gear, the system of shelves, blank panels and the convienience of having everything racked is worth it.

My hall closet rack has 3 of my sat boxes, modem, router, network switch Bluray player, UPS and video distribution gear in it.

ETA: I just read that this was for a shop environment. I strongly suggest one of the Middle Atlantic offerings. Seal the rack and offer managed/filtered airflow if at all possible. Puller fans on top, filtered air intake from the bottom.
Electronics and a shop environment do not mix well, especially in wood or metalworking shops or places where painting happens.

 

[ItsNemo]

Build your own...you can get rails for $20 on Amazon and some plywood and you're good to go.

I built this one for my basement, including casters, patch panel, rails, hardware it cost me less than $50 (I already had scraps of plywood from another project):

 

[RAYJAY]

here is mine when i was punching the wires down. 24 ports all cat 6 not shown is my qnap nas.

 

[madwi]

Craigslist has had a lot of Free- you haul it away network racks in my area.
I picked this one up from amazon a while back ~$150.
View media item 86800
The other 2x4 monstrosity is a catch everything overflow rack.
I like browsing through https://www.reddit.com/r/homelab/ for ideas and checking out some neat rigs.

 

[ddawg16]

I took a slightly different approach. This is my 'data central' under the stairs.

When I did my 2-story addition, I ran RG6 and Cat6 to key locations in each room. For TV locations, 2 Cat6's....just in case I wanted to run HDMI over Cat.

Basically, each outlet represents the lines to each room.

It works well for me.

 

[b-boy]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm looking for a basic, self-contained network media center cabinet for my garage.

I'm looking for something with the case, power, a patch panel, and maybe even an option for a switch/router. I'm trying to avoid having to piece something together from spare parts. I'd like it to be plug and play.

Any suggestions?

 

[Samh]

Here's a little tip about server racks. If you can find the old compaw server racks, with the smoked glass front, the bottom detaches and makes a 3000lb dolly. Great for moving things in the shop.

 

[DGersic]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm looking for a basic, self-contained network media center cabinet for my garage.

I'm looking for something with the case, power, a patch panel, and maybe even an option for a switch/router. I'm trying to avoid having to piece something together from spare parts. I'd like it to be plug and play.

Any suggestions?

If you’re in Indiana, a friend is trying to unload a full height rack for cheap.



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[b-boy]

Nope. Buffalo NY.

I'm looking for something fairly basic. I have fiber running between my garage and house. I'd like to run a WIFI access point and some Cat 6 drops in the garage. Nothing too fancy. I want a few PCs, a Smart TV, and some WIFI enabled light switches in the building.

In my old house I cobbled something together. It worked well, but I'd prefer something specifically designed for this purpose.

 

[ddawg16]

If you don't mind spending money...

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p...D - Segment - Core - New_Desktop - Ad Group 1

 

[b-boy]

I took a slightly different approach. This is my 'data central' under the stairs.

When I did my 2-story addition, I ran RG6 and Cat6 to key locations in each room. For TV locations, 2 Cat6's....just in case I wanted to run HDMI over Cat.

Basically, each outlet represents the lines to each room.

It works well for me.

This is pretty much what my old setup looked like. My new house is really old, and the walls are apparently made of lead. I can't get WIFI signals to work from one end of the house to the other. I've tried repeaters and mesh systems. Nothing works. I'm planning on running some CAT6 to allow me to have multiple access points inside the house.

For my pole barn, I ended up ordering a bunch of Leviton components, along with a Leviton panel. It wasn't cheap, but it's modular, will get the job done, and will keep everything neat.

I ordered a 30" panel, some shelves, a power supply (supports 12V DC and 120V), a patch panel, and a router/switch that mounts to the panel.

I'll probably use the same setup in the house.

 

[ddawg16]

This is pretty much what my old setup looked like. My new house is really old, and the walls are apparently made of lead. I can't get WIFI signals to work from one end of the house to the other. I've tried repeaters and mesh systems. Nothing works. I'm planning on running some CAT6 to allow me to have multiple access points inside the house.

For my pole barn, I ended up ordering a bunch of Leviton components, along with a Leviton panel. It wasn't cheap, but it's modular, will get the job done, and will keep everything neat.

I ordered a 30" panel, some shelves, a power supply (supports 12V DC and 120V), a patch panel, and a router/switch that mounts to the panel.

I'll probably use the same setup in the house.

You may have metal lath in your walls....

 

[MFortie]

Couple of sites to look at:

https://www.middleatlantic.com/

https://www.chatsworth.com/

http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/b-line/products.html

https://hyperline.com/product-category/racks-cabinets/

 

[ScottsGT]

We’re a Middle Atlantic house here at work. You can just get rack rails and build your own if you want.

 

[Slednut]

We’re a Middle Atlantic house here at work. You can just get rack rails and build your own if you want.

This is the cheapest way to go. Part of the work I do is converting remote telecom cabinets to newer more condensed equipment. I mounted the 19 inch rack inside this old Nortel cabinet.

A person could also buy 14 gauge angle and drill 3/16th inch holes in it.

 

[b-boy]

You may have metal lath in your walls....

I do. My house is a giant faraday cage.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Network racks are available in DIN 19, just like PA, DJ, Audio and Media equipment...

Tommy