What size rack do I need?

The market and industry have set certain standards for server racks for various purposes. These are tried and tested measurements to suit the requirement. However, the challenge here is, how can one decide which rack to choose from this lot to fit in the different specifications of their industry

To help you decipher the right rack, let’s understand this step by step

1.What is the purpose of the rack or What is the application of this rack?

● Servers

● Office networking

● Hub rooms

● AV/CCTV

● Data centers

● Laboratories

● Outdoors

● Special application

Once you have chosen your purpose/application, it is now to define the space you have to install them. Ideally, most racks come with adjustable mounting options and are easily adaptable to many purposes and space options. That said, at small offices or business centers, you would like to make note that there is no ‘one size fits all and that there can be no standard small, medium, or large sizes for the application.

TIPS for SMART Buying!

Checking on thermal and security requirements is a mandate while choosing a rack as IT equipment is highly advisable to be installed in a controlled environment. Although these can be added/modified after purchase, however knowledge of this will help in buying a suitable cabinet.

Also, please note that in case you buy a bigger rack, you can fill it up with blanking panels temporarily and use them when required.

Specifications of racks as per your chosen requirement.

For servers, hub rooms and internal office networking which are based or are set up in a small office space, the below-mentioned rack should be ideal.

Note: Hub rooms and Internal or office networking racks are generally Open racks but, in some cases, can be closed too. This is for hosting general network equipment like switches or jack panels.

● Height – 32-45U [for servers and hub rooms]

● Width – 600mm [for servers] and 800mm [ for hub rooms and internal office]

● Depth – 800-1000mm [same for servers and internal offices]. However, for Hub rooms- two-post open rack with High Density Vertical Cable Organisers Series plus cable ladders are required

2. For CCTV recording rooms, board rooms, or mounting AV equipment, the units can be much smaller, however, ensure they are equipped with appropriate cooling systems, to bring in better efficiency.

The specifications are:

● Height – 17-42U

● Width – 600mm

● Depth – 650-800mm

3.For Datacenter hosting like colocation and captive. Colocation is when an organization’s data is managed and stored offsite by a colocation supplier who also manages other companies’ data. Captive data centers are run and owned by clients, usually in an overseas location that allows lowered costs.

The specifications are:

● Height – 42-52U

● Width – 600mm for server mounting, 800mm for network equipment

● Depth – 1200mm

4.R&D Labs

R&D labs usually need customized cabinets, but the standard specifications are:

● Height – 32-52U

● Width – 600mm, 800mm or customized

● Depth – 650-1000mm or customized

Open racks& Lab tables are generally the best fit forth is application because of their equipment mounting and cable management capabilities

5.Outdoors

When mounting racks outdoors, either on the wall, a pole or on the floor for applications like smart cities or city surveillance, we can go with IP56 or IP66 Rated cabinet.

The specifications are:

● Height – 6-15U for wall-mounted, 17-42U for floor mounted

● Width – 600 or 800mm

● Depth – 600-1000mm

6. Special application

Special applications like:

Self-cooled racks,

Soundproof racks,

Seismic racks

It is highly recommended to get expert advice to choose a solution.