Network Racks & Cabinets
Network racks and cabinets are specialized enclosures used to house network equipment, servers, and other critical IT infrastructure components. They are designed to provide physical protection, as well as organizational and environmental benefits, such as improved cooling and cable management. Some key features and considerations to keep in mind when selecting a network rack or cabinet are:
Size: Network racks and cabinets are available in a range of sizes, from small wall-mounted units to large floor-standing cabinets. The size of the enclosure will depend on the amount of critical equipment you need to house and the available space.
Mounting: Network racks and cabinets can be either free-standing or wall-mount. Wall-mount units are typically smaller and used in applications where space is limited, while free-standing cabinets are larger and used to house more network equipment.
Cooling: Proper cooling is critical to the performance and longevity of networking equipment. Network racks and cabinets may include features such as fans, ventilation panels, and cooling systems to help regulate temperature and prevent overheating.
More information about Network Racks and Cabinets
Server Rack
Server racks are specialized enclosures designed to house servers and other IT equipment in a data center, a server room, and other mission-critical environments. Server racks typically feature a standardized form factor that allows for easy integration and compatibility with a wide range of servers and other IT equipment.
Size
Server racks are available in a range of sizes, from small 2U units to large 42U or 48U cabinets. The size of the rack will depend on the amount of equipment you need to house and the available space.
Mounting
Server racks typically use a standardized mounting system, such as the EIA-310 standard, which allows for easy installation and compatibility with a wide range of servers and other IT equipment.
Cooling
Proper cooling is critical to the performance and longevity of server equipment. Server racks may include features such as fans, ventilation panels, and cooling systems to help regulate temperature and prevent overheating.
Rack Enclosure
A rack enclosure is a type of enclosure that is designed to hold and protect network equipment, such as servers, switches, routers, and other network devices, in a standard 19-inch rack format. A rack enclosures is typically made of steel or aluminum, and may include features such as doors, side panels, and cooling systems to provide physical protection and environmental control for the equipment housed inside.
Size
A rack enclosure is available in a range of sizes, typically measured in height units (U) and depth. The most common rack height is 42U, but enclosures can be as small as 2U or as large as 48U or more.
Rack Type
A rack enclosure can be either open frame or fully enclosed. Open frame racks are generally used for network equipment that does not require physical protection or environmental control, while fully enclosed enclosures are used for mission-critical equipment that requires protection from dust, debris, and other environmental factors.
FAQs
What is the difference between a network cabinet and a rack enclosure?
A network cabinet is fully enclosed, while a rack enclosure can be either open frame or fully enclosed. A network cabinet is typically smaller than a rack enclosure and a network cabinet typically has a single front door, while a rack enclosure may have one or two front doors and may also include side panels.
What type of server racks have rear doors?
Many server rack manufacturers offer rear doors as an optional accessory for their racks. Rear doors can provide additional security and environmental control for the equipment housed inside the rack, and can also help to prevent hot air from recirculating back into the server room. Both front and rear doors are options for many server racks.
What are rack units?
Rack units, also known as "U" or "RU", are a standard measurement for the height of a server rack or rack enclosure. One rack unit is equal to 1.75 inches (44.45 mm) of vertical rack space. The standard height of a server rack is typically measured in multiples of rack units, with the most common sizes being 42U and 48U.
Can open racks be fitted with a rear door?
Open racks are designed to be open on all sides, including the back, which allows for easy access to the equipment and provides ample ventilation. However, some manufacturers do offer optional accessories such as a rear door that can be added to an open rack.
Mounting Electrical Enclosures
Unistrut
Before mounting to any surface, it is important to understand how the hardware will interface with the enclosure. In many cases, the enclosures will have holes at the corners that can be used to attach any mounting hardware. It is common to see a mounting strut, commonly referring to as a Unistrut, being used with these electrical enclosures. The Unistrut can attach to the enclosure and provide a very strong connection point to either a wall, concrete or pole mount.
Concrete Anchors
When mounting to a concrete wall, there are several things that should be considered to ensure it is done correctly. Industrial concrete anchors provide a very strong and reliable connection that can last a very long time. Make sure that the concrete is thick and strong enough for these types of anchors. Once the anchors have been installed, attach them to the mounting strut that is attached to the enclosure using hardware that is designed for that particular type of mounting strut.
Strut Clamps
When installing an electrical enclosure on a pole or mass, it is important to make sure that the pole can handle the weight of the enclosure. It is recommended that the pole is made of a very strong rigid material. At least two inch rigid galvanized conduit is recommended. Once the pole has been secured into the ground, strut clamps designed for the size of conduit will attach the enclosure.