Basic Guide to Server Rackmount Cabinets and Frames

If youre in need of a place to deploy your server units in your home or office, the racks in this collection might be just what youre looking for. eBay offers myriad server racks to fit your needs no matter how many NAS units you have, and heres what you need to know about these racks before you make a purchase.

Here are some examples of the brands that produce these racks for servers:

Dell

HP

APC

IBM

Sun Microsystems

There are a variety of different styles of server racks, and each type houses servers in a slightly different way.

Enclosed racks: These types of racks are enclosed all the way around. This creates a clean appearance, and it also protects servers from dust and other environmental conditions. Most enclosed racks are black, and they may have various ports and doors for entry and peripheral connection.

Racks with glass doors: Some enclosed racks are equipped with glass doors. These doors allow you to monitor your servers without having to actually open the door, and they also add a special aesthetic appeal.

Open frame racks: These types of racks consist of basic metal frames that support NAS units from each of their corners. Open frame racks provide optimal airflow.

Two-post racks: Two-post racks are the simplest types of server racks, and they consist of two posts that are connected to a flat base. They make use of bolts to connect to NAS systems on either side, and they are usually made from steel.

Picking the right rack for your servers requires an assessment of your priorities. If you value simplicity over all other factors, you might prefer two-post racks. If protecting your servers from dust is all-important, however, an enclosed rack with a glass door might be the perfect solution for your needs. Also, different server rack models can contain differing numbers of NAS units; if you only have four NAS units, you might want a smaller server rack, but if you have more than 12 units, youll need an extra-large rack.