Server Rack Information Guide

Server Rack Uses
Server Rack features and functionality
Server Rack Size/Capacity
Server Rack Security
Other Server Rack Features
Finding the best Server Rack for your needs

Server Rack Uses
Server racks are designed and built to hold computers, servers, monitors, kvm switches, patch panels, network equipment, production bench test equipment and other electronic equipment. Server racks are used in a variety of industries such as computers/technology, finance/banking, manufacturing, medical and almost any corporate setting that could benefit from vertical storage of equipment. Server racks are an extremely important component of any network. Quite often server racks are overlooked as just 'another piece of hardware' or categorized under office furniture or shelving. Finding the right server racks can increase the protection, security and ease of management of any network. Server Racks also save valuable floor space and add a professional appearance to your facility.

Server racks come in a wide variety of preconfigured sizes, shapes and designs. Some options might include features such as power / surge strips, fans, casters and glass doors. Server racks can typically be adapted with adjustable shelves and other components to hold and protect your specific equipment. Server racks can also be custom ordered and built to your exact specifications. Server racks generally appear pretty similar and have a fairly narrow range of features and functions, but there are some important differences among server racks that you should consider when making a purchase decision.

Server Rack features and functionality
The first place to start when finding the right server racks for your company is to determine what your needs are first, and then find the server rack or racks that will fulfill those needs. Consider the equipment that you need to install, consider how many pieces of equipment will be housed in the server rack(s), consider the manner that the equipment will be connected to each other and the network, consider the power requirements for those components, consider your security needs and concerns, consider the esthetics requirements, consider your budget and last but not least consider any additional needs or requirements that you might have in the future. Once you have a good understanding of your requirements, you can shop and compare server racks according to the following features:

Server Rack Size/Capacity- is one of the most important considerations, not only to make sure that the server rack has the right dimensions (height, width and depth), but also how the server racks will fit into the operating environment. This means checking the usable (inside) dimensions and the overall (outside) dimensions. You'll want to determine if freestanding, desktop or wall-mounted server racks will work best for your equipment and environment, although most server racks that house more than one server are generally freestanding. Check the weight capacity of the server rack to make sure it will work for your anticipated network equipment load.

Server Rack Configuration- planning your server rack purchase requires you to consider how the equipment needs to be connected, which in turn impacts how the server racks will need to be configured. Server racks come with varying levels of adaptability and accessories (i.e.shelves, vertical rails, fans, power strips etc.) so you'll want to make sure that the server rack is customizable for your needs.

Server Rack Security- server rack security comes in many forms and options. In their least secure form, server racks are just frames and offer no additional barriers to the equipment. In their most secure form, server racks are fully protected with four sided doors/panels and multiple locks. Many fully secure server racks are equipped with a tempered, front smoked-glass locking door, providing you with both security and easy viewing access. Server racks with locked side panels that are easily removable, add security and an additional means of equipment access. You can also get server racks within a medium level of security range (e.g., server racks with four screened panels). The choice for what level of security you need depends on what potential threats to your network equipment you perceive and predict. You may find that completely secure server racks are a better value than some of the less secure alternatives.

Other Server Rack Features- apart from the main features listed above, there are additional secondary features to consider when purchasing your server rack, including:
- Assembly- do you want the server rack to come assembled or ready for assembly? - Metal- is steel or aluminum better for your needs? - Venting- do you want vented doors and/or panels on the server racks? - Access- would you like to have access to the equipment through side or back panels? - Leveling- do you need to be able to adjust the leveling of your network equipment? - Construction- do you have minimum requirements for the type of server rack construction? - Color- is the color of the server rack important? - Mobility- do you need to move the equipment and/or put wheels on the server rack? - Locking- what type of locking mechanism(s) do you require on the server racks? - Accessories- some of the available server rack accessories include fixed shelves, rollout shelves, power strips, monitors, fans, seismic bracing, cable management, joining kits, keyboard trays, utility drawers, reducer rails, blanking/filler panels, adjustable angle brackets and so on.

Finding the best Server Rack for your needs
Shopping for a server rack online is a great way to research and compare several types, models and brands of server racks to make sure you find what that will work for you based on your desired configuration, security, capacity and other features. Once you have a good idea of what type and size of server rack will work best for your company, compare specific products as far as price, warranty, and shipping costs and other terms and conditions. To go a step further in finding the right server rack for you, it might pay to ask your peers and colleagues if they have had any experience- either good or bad- with specific server rack brands, models or vendors.

When comparing server racks, it is important to compare "apples to apples", make sure you are not miss-led with a seeming great price on a server rack, only to find either it will not need your needs (check the depth!) or you will have to spend 3 days to build your server rack, when you thought if came "ready to use".

We certainly do hope you have found the information we have gathered for you to be useful. We recognize that this guide lines in no way have exhausted the scope of server rack information, and that you do your own due diligence in finding the right server rack for your needs and pocket.