Selecting the correct All-Rack racking product is very important – a lot has to be taken into consideration, and planning is the key to a good experience. In order to assist you with choosing the perfect All-Rack product for your system and the space you have, we have some pointers to help you decide.

1. What size All-Rack cabinet enclosure do I need?

Selecting the correct server cabinet size depends on two major factors: the type of equipment needed for rackmount capabilities and the amount of equipment requiring server rack enclosure space. Ideally, you should tally the total amount of Rack Units currently needed while keeping in mind future expansion, as cabinet rack units cannot be added on once a server rack is fabricated. If additional rack mount accessories such as environmental monitoring, battery back-up (UPS), and/or remote power management are required, extra front and rear cabinet space might be needed in order to sufficiently mount rack accessories vertically and horizontally.

Internal or usable rack cabinet dimensions

It is very important to consider how much of the internal space of the rack cabinet is actually usable. Internal dimensions should be used as a guide to gauge the size and amount of equipment that can be installed inside the rack. Internal vertical measurements from the tallest point of any side rail to the bottom chassis is regarded as total internal height. Internal depth is calculated by measuring from the insides of both front and rear doors. In All-Rack racks the mounting profiles both front and rear can be adjusted to give you extra flexibility. Lastly, internal width measurements extend from one side panel to the other.

Additional space can be modified during rack manufacturing to allow for side, rear, and front mounted rack equipment. The auxiliary compartment space will also provide room for ventilation systems, bulky power cords and cabling management requirements.

External rack cabinet dimensions

Determining server rack location within a data-centre, computer room, office or co-location facility is often overlooked until the rack enclosure arrives. It is crucial you determine if the finalised external dimensions of the server rack will fit through doorways, lifts, stair wells and other obstructions of the intended target location. Carefully consider environmental factors such as ceiling height and clearance regulations in your data centre, computer room or office.

All-Rack floor racks are despatched fully assembled as standard. Even pre-assembled, All-Rack racks easily allow you to remove the front and rear doors (by means of two spring latches on each door) and side panels can also be removed easily, but that will not change external dimensions of the rack frame which cannot be taken apart. Should you require flatpack then please inform us when placing your order, to avoid despatching a rack that will not physically fit through all access points in your building.

2. What is a Rack Unit? What does 40U mean? 44U? 48U? etc.

A “Rack Unit” or Rack “U” is an EIA standard allowance unit for measuring rackmount equipment. One “Rack Unit” is roughly 4.4 cm (or 1.75 inches) in height. To calculate internal usable space of a rack enclosure, simply multiply the total amount of Rack Units by 1.75″. For example, a 44U rack enclosure would have 77″ of internal usable space (44 x 1.75).

3. How do I calculate how many Rack Units I need?

Many data centre managers calculate rack enclosure height needed by determining the optimal rack unit usage. For example, if you are aware that future plans call for the addition of twenty 2U sized servers, you can count on needing a 44U rack enclosure. This will allow enough internal height for approximately twenty servers, room for a 1U patch panel and a 2U UPS back-up battery. Rear or side vertically mounted power management devices will also have sufficient room to perform their functions.

4. Will my rack cabinet enclosure fit in the room it’s intended for?

Considerations such as server or comms rack weight and height are very important factors to take into account when moving floor racks from place to place. Some floor racks can weigh over 150 kg and can stand at over 7 feet. Server/comms racks are large items which require considerable effort when moving, lifting up stairs, and fitting in any tight spaces. Please ensure that enough room has been made and accounted for before rack enclosures are purchases and finalised.

If you require further assistance choosing the ideal data cabinet for your needs, please give our sales team a call on the number below.