Server Rack Buying Guide: How To Choose the Right Rack or Cabinet
Part 1
The significance of server racks is continuously increasing with the mounting reliance on IT infrastructure. Considering the critical role these racks play in maintaining data center efficiency, organizations are emphasizing the importance of choosing the right type of rack along with its components and parts.
The reason behind this strategic shift is simple yet profound—a well-organized and appropriately equipped server rack not only facilitates seamless operations but also optimizes the performance of equipment and servers. Moreover, it offers invaluable support during the process of upscaling and expansion.
Server racks and why are they important?
Now, before going deep into the details of how to choose a server rack and what are the non-negotiables, it is important to understand what a server rack is. An equipment or network rack, commonly referred to as a server rack or server cabinet, is highly esteemed in the contemporary digital landscape.
These specialized enclosures serve a pivotal role as they are specifically crafted to accommodate and arrange diverse computing and networking equipment, such as servers, switches, routers, PDUs, and other essential IT hardware, in a compact and organized manner. These server racks are usually compatibility with various hardware and are crucial for maintaining a neat and efficient data center or server room. They come in a variety of dimensions, mounting alternatives, and incorporate various cable management features to cater to distinct requirements based on the scale of the data center.
Considering the importance of the server racks, Netrack as one of the best server racks manufacturers ensures that they are robust and manufactured with premium quality so that they can ensure stability and longevity. Netrack designs these network racks to also ensure that they optimize the space and airflow within the server rooms and data centers.
Three factors to consider while choosing a server rack
The primary focus should be to choose a rack with a width sufficient to host the required servers and cables. Now, the standard width for server racks is around 600mm, which is perfect for small hub room or server room. However, if the setup involves a significant number of cables, then opting for a wider rack will be necessary to manage the cable clutter effectively. In fact, efficient cable management directly impacts the airflow management of the overall server room. Hence, when width of the rack is chosen carefully, it can help in reducing the space occupied by the rack within the data center, server room, or hub, ensuring better organization and maintenance.
Secondly, determining the load-varying capacity of the rack is crucial depending on the number of servers and their density. Here, an organization can choose from different load capacities, such as 750kg for low density, 1250kg for medium density, or 1500kg for high density. When racks are chosen basis the load-varying capacity, it ensures that the rack can support the weight of the installed equipment or servers, preventing any structural issues, and enhancing the scope for upscaling.
The height of the cabinet is the third important factor that cannot be overlooked. It should align with the number of servers and the desired density. Netrack suggests to consider scaling vertically by choosing a taller network rack, such as a 52U instead of the standard 42U. This will provide additional space of 10U to accommodate the required servers, cables, and related hardware within the rack efficiently without impacting the airflow efficiency while optimizing the use of available space.
However, there are several other factors to remember such as; efficient airflow and cable management before choosing a server rack. So, stay tuned and don’t miss out on the critical suggestions that can save your mission-critical equipment from any damage or downtime.
