Vinko
Well-known member
Need a 18u or 22u. I hear they come with fans and all the trappings. Any brands to check out or brands to avoid? Anything made in the USA or Canada these days?
Server Rack -- who's making good ones?
- Thread starter Vinko
- Start date
Beemer533
Well-known member
There are tons of racks out there, but without a budget, it is hard to narrow down..
I can recommend Middle Atlantic personally as I used their racks for several projects, including my home theater rack.
http://www.middleatlantic.com
They aren't the cheapest, but I have never had an issue with the them.
I know they are part of Legrand NA, but I am not positive of the COO.
I bought most of them from parts express:
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/racks-cases/200
Stuff from Black Box is good, but not cheap.
I can recommend Middle Atlantic personally as I used their racks for several projects, including my home theater rack.
http://www.middleatlantic.com
They aren't the cheapest, but I have never had an issue with the them.
I know they are part of Legrand NA, but I am not positive of the COO.
I bought most of them from parts express:
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/racks-cases/200
Stuff from Black Box is good, but not cheap.
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
MA for AV yes.
For data, APC
For data, APC
ishiboo
Well-known member
You're asking for a rack, but from the mention of fans it sounds like you want a rack cabinet. Cabinets are big pieces of sheet metal, so there are plenty of USA manufacturers... cheaper to make it here than to ship it over!
Most of the mainstream brands are pretty good.
18 or 22 is a half rack (cabinet), do you plan on floor or wall mounting it? Any features you need specifically?
Most of the mainstream brands are pretty good.
18 or 22 is a half rack (cabinet), do you plan on floor or wall mounting it? Any features you need specifically?
Wall mount. I just want it to hold a server and 3 switches and the fans I've seen on some seem nice (or I guess you can mount them later. I also like a glass door if possible so I can do a visual check without having to open the cabinet. Maybe a decent lock.
You'd think so but I'm always surprised by how much stuff is "shipped over"!
PCMusicGuy
Well-known member
If that is all you need to hold you may be able to get away with a 8 or 10U wall mount enclosure, assuming your server isn't crazy deep. What is your budget? Black box makes wall mount frames in the hundreds of dollars, but their full enclosure setups are in the thousands.
wssix99
Well-known member
Monoprice.com
Very inexpensive and a fine quality for the home.
Very inexpensive and a fine quality for the home.
justsam
Well-known member
My personal experience is that you can never have too much rack space.
If you need 22u now, better double it for future.
If POE switches remember they may have fans and need proper ventilation.
If you need 22u now, better double it for future.
If POE switches remember they may have fans and need proper ventilation.
Crizzle
Well-known member
I have been using NAVEPOINT 12U and 18U wallmount racks in some of our remote customer manufacturing sites for the past several months. Good reviews so far. They include fans for exhaust (critical in industrial applications), metal doesn't have any jagged edges, and customer support has been good. They also have some integrated cable routing that some of the other bargain models don't have. Plus in stock at Amazon if you have Prime.
12U - $190
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZVUDLQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
18U - $260
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P4SVZ4S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
12U - $190
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZVUDLQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
18U - $260
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P4SVZ4S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
For wall racks, I really like Panduits lineup
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Following
I saw some of these on Amazon.
Part of me doesn't even want the damn server rack. Don't really see the point except it kind of secures things. I don't see why I can't just have a rack with rails (hell, even unistrut) in a cool air-conditioned place. Maybe a few fans on it somehow. But the guy who helps with IT thinks its a good idea. For 25 years I've had switches and servers in the open and it's been OK
Those wall racks are great for network equipment and wiring but too shallow for servers.
What is your need? How much and what type of equipment?
A rack or cabinet is to protect equipment or at a minimum, to organize and keep it neat looking. A fan in a cabinet is to compensate for bad airflow in a closed box - it doesn't change the need for air conditioned space.
What is your need? How much and what type of equipment?
A rack or cabinet is to protect equipment or at a minimum, to organize and keep it neat looking. A fan in a cabinet is to compensate for bad airflow in a closed box - it doesn't change the need for air conditioned space.
volleyball
Well-known member
I assume the suggestion is because it is an open area and anyone can get to it.
Is it a critical system ?
Fans are noisy and add maintenance. Maybe a bigger rack with venting instead is a better way to go.
Is it a critical system ?
Fans are noisy and add maintenance. Maybe a bigger rack with venting instead is a better way to go.
Skeletek racks are great for the price. http://www.dantraknet.com/category/41
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I really like the Dell/APC racks for servers.
As far as AV goes, Middle Atlantic all the way.
If you are just mounting patch panels/switches, just about anything is fine. I've used Chatsworth, Homaco, Black Box etc.
As far as AV goes, Middle Atlantic all the way.
If you are just mounting patch panels/switches, just about anything is fine. I've used Chatsworth, Homaco, Black Box etc.
Dell 610 Powered server.
2 48 POE Cisco switches
Good to know. I thought the add'l fans might compensate for A/C. I hate to leave it on on the weekends when I'm not there since the place is so big. The cost adds up. But I suppose not as much as having equipment overheat
By the way, anyone know who makes the Dell-branded racks/enclosures?
Is there an OEM for Dell and APC? Does APC make for Dell?
I wonder if these enclosures are even worth it. Seems like a waste of money to me. The price they sell them for (even used) compared to what it costs to make seems so egregious. I guess the benefits are: keeping gear neat and tidy, and if a lock, keeping people from messing with it (unless they just pull a plug!), keeping dust away, etc. And if fans are present, keeping the gear cooler (though I guess without an enclosure you don't have that problem?
Whole thing seems f*cking pointless to me -- but the IT guy is being pretty ardent about it.
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
?? What's the application.....
How many cable runs.
Rackmount server or what ?
Let's pretend you get a tower server.
You can get away with a wall rack to hold your telcom....you need *u* space for cable management, etc. From a IT *guy* perspective, this may be the reason it's being asked /speced for.
How many cable runs.
Rackmount server or what ?
Let's pretend you get a tower server.
You can get away with a wall rack to hold your telcom....you need *u* space for cable management, etc. From a IT *guy* perspective, this may be the reason it's being asked /speced for.
reader2580
Well-known member
My employer just built a new data center with Chatsworth Products cabinets. I am pretty sure they make them here in the USA although they also manufacture in Europe for the European market.
I have no idea how expensive they are versus other options. They will almost certainly be more expensive than Monoprice stuff.
I have no idea how expensive they are versus other options. They will almost certainly be more expensive than Monoprice stuff.
Realistically for your needs I would think anything you can get on eBay or Craigslist local to you for cheap would be fine. Talking new I would go for APC or HP in half height. If going full height I really like NetApp racks.
Outlander
Well-known member
I saw some of these on Amazon.
Part of me doesn't even want the damn server rack. Don't really see the point except it kind of secures things. I don't see why I can't just have a rack with rails (hell, even unistrut) in a cool air-conditioned place. Maybe a few fans on it somehow. But the guy who helps with IT thinks its a good idea. For 25 years I've had switches and servers in the open and it's been OK
..and mechanics can work at dealers with HF tools, and you can use cheap oil and not change it regularly.
If an IT guy answers your question about quality racks, it is for a reason.
Now, do you have a backup plan in place? Offsite storage for data? Redundant power supplies? Where will it end
I would be happy to engage a discovery project to define your requirements and build and operate your applications and infrastructure for a small monthly rate.
We procure our racks from the server supplier. But then again, I spend millions a year for my client.
Don't discount what your IT guy says, I assume he is the expert and you are the 'operations guy'. Not worth saving a few hundred bucks to physically protect your data and give your server a home (I assume you need it to work when your staff is working).
MFortie
Well-known member
Southwest Data Products
Chatsworth
Middle Atlantic
APC
Those are the brands I typically spec for structured wiring designs. Which one depends on the application and the project budget.
For example, APC makes a nice floor standing cabinet (AR4018A) that retails just under $4K -- I've spec'd quite a few of those for one of our local school districts, but that might be more than your budget allows for.
Another district likes the Mid Atlantic floor standing cabinets, while a third district wants a specific SWDP 12U wall cabinet. They all work for their intended applications.