A large data center or even a small server room houses a great massif of high-precious equipment. Servers, hard drives, switches, routers, and other accessories must be placed somehow to ensure ergonomic space allocation. Server racks are the perfect solution for closed spaces.
An open-frame rack for server hardware is special furniture designed for system administration and accommodating different kinds of network equipment. If you need a high-quality durable furniture for your data center, visit https://sysracks.com/ to find a wide catalog of options for any purpose and premise.
Types of Server Racks
Within an open-frame group of server furniture, they distinguish two standard kinds:
- Two-post models;
- Four-post products.
All server racks are produced from high-quality steel to ensure the best durability, equipment safety, and perfect operating conditions. Each model has its pros and cons.
2 Post Models
This product is characterized by having two vertical bars with special holes for mounting hardware. Such models are more compact, easily movable, but they can accommodate less equipment than the next model.
4 Post Products
The construction of this product is distinguished by having 4 vertical bars, they can be connected with horizontal panels. Such models have high capacity characteristics but they are less portable.
Server Furniture Dimensions
Most products have similar sizes since all server rack dimensions are standardized to fit any type of equipment. According to the width, 600-mm and 900-mm models are offered. The server rack height is measured in U (units, 1U = 1.75 inches) and can be from 2U up to 20U high. The depth is variable since models are not limited by panels.
Fields of Application
Open-frame server racks are the ideal solution for closed premises (such as server rooms and data centers). Due to the peculiarities of product constructions, such racks can’t protect the housed hardware from unauthorized use; thus, models are chosen for storing in rooms, the access to which is limited and strictly monitored.
Benefits of Open-Frame Furniture
- Compactness
Open-frame models are compact in comparison with data cabinet sizes since they do not have sidewalls. Due to free access from all sides, equipment is accommodated more ergonomically leaving more space and providing better maintenance properties.
2. Space-efficiency
Such goods take less space on the floor and fit any space. Due to the absence of side panels, 2- and 4-post racks can be placed anywhere. Even a 4-post model will take less place than a standard enclosed cabinet.
3. Allow air to flow
This is the main advantage of open-frame constructions. Since the inside of the rack is not limited by metal panels, the airflow can freely circulate throughout functioning devices cooling them and ensuring the required temperature conditions.
4. Low cost
This benefit is evident. The less material is used for product manufacturing, the lower its cost will be. If compared to enclosed cabinets that require more metal for sidewalls, open-rack constructions take less material, time, and effort to be produced.
5. Ease if maintenance
Open-frame designs do not have side panels, which allows accessing equipment from all sides. This significantly simplifies maintenance. The staff can approach the system from any side and replace certain parts without disarranging the entire system.
6. Ease of mounting and dismounting
2- or 4-post models do not require special knowledge or experience to be mounted. A step-by-step guide where a detailed explanation is provided is attached to each product. This is enough to mount or dismount furniture. The process doesn’t take a lot of time and effort.
7. Fast transportation
Since racks are easily dismounted, they can be transported quicker. Moreover, it is possible to move them inside the room since most models are equipped with casters.
8. Ability to place a large number of blocks and cables
An open-frame design provides perfect conditions for cable routing. Managed cables can be wired anywhere. There is no need to use several holes to lay tons of cables.
As for server rack size, the availability of different models on the market allows picking the best option for any purpose. If properly chosen, racks can accommodate a large number of devices.
9. Easy to organize
Access from all sides allows system administrators to easily install all the equipment and provide each device with the best placement on the rack.
Open-Frame Server Rack Cooling. How can the Air Circulate?
This issue requires particular attention since cooling is one of the crucial points for proper system functioning. The efficiency of device performance depends on the ability to maintain the required environmental conditions.
The thing is that powerful telecommunication hardware tends to heat well during operation. Due to closely located devices, they exchange heat, which can lead to overheating. That is why it is important to guarantee the perfect environment both inside and outside the rack.
When choosing open-frame constructions, the air freely passes through devices, which guarantees efficient circulation. Cold air enters the rack. Passing through operating devices, they exchange heat with cold streams, and hot air leaves the rack from the opposite side. This feature allows cooling the entire system with the use of forced ventilation systems.
How to Choose an Open-Frame Model?
To make the right choice and enjoy the perfect performance of the system, it is important to select an appropriate rack model. The task is not as easy as it seems. To simplify your effort, keep in mind the following guide:
- Decide on how big your system will be. Answer such questions as how many devices will be stored (foresee future system expanding), what size equipment will have, how the hardware will interconnect. Make a list of all devices to be accommodated.
- Measure the exact size of all hardware, when the list is before your eyes. Calculate the required rack dimensions based on your measurements. Keep in mind the above-mentioned tips about height. Remember to leave enough extra space for future relocation and rearrangements.
- Think about the way devices will be fastened to the body. Which ones will hang and which ones require installation on a plain surface.
- Choose a 2- or 4-post model, depending on the number of stored equipment.
- Create a 3D layout to visualize your ideas. This step allows avoiding many mistakes at the stage of planning and, what is more important, picking the best product.
An open-frame server rack is an excellent solution for closed data centers. The model has a lot of benefits, including perfect cooling characteristics, easy access and maintenance, free cable routing, space efficiency, low cost, etc. However, choosing a suitable model requires a thorough approach since every detail does matter.
