Racks and cabinets are designed to protect and secure IT equipment within the data center environment. Their effectiveness depends upon the proper installation of the equipment within the enclosure.
Most servers are designed to be mounted on rails — it’s never a good idea to stack servers on top of each other. Mounting each piece of equipment on a separate rail reduces the risk of overheating and damage, simplifies maintenance, and improves airflow.
However, rack manufacturers have no consensus regarding the type of mounting holes used to attach rails to the rack. Some holes are threaded for standard screw sizes, while others are unthreaded or square. Furthermore, specific server models have their own rail assemblies that match the holes drilled in the chassis by the server manufacturer.
It is critically important to choose the right rails for the rack and the equipment to be installed. Data center managers must consider the width and depth of the rack, the placement and type of mounting holes, and the weight of the equipment.
Types of Server Rack Rails
Server rack rails are made with various types of metal in different thicknesses, which determines the amount of weight they will support. Some are designed to work with specific servers, while “universal” rail kits are meant to work with multiple types of mounting holes.
There are tool-less options that provide for faster mounting than screws and easier relocation of equipment. Many have an adjustable depth to fit multiple sizes of server racks. There are also adapters for rails that aren’t deep enough or wide enough and for attaching four-post rails to a two-post rack.
There are two primary types of server rack rails:
Fixed Rails
Very heavy equipment typically requires fixed rails, which hold the equipment in place without the ability to slide it in and out. Some use locking pins that eliminate the need for screws. Fixed rails are commonly used in cabinets with doors and for equipment that is seldom accessed.
Sliding Rails
Sliding rails are popular because they allow administrators to slide out equipment for maintenance or replacement. Of course, sliding rails cannot hold as much weight as fixed rails and create the risk that a rack will tip over when the rails are fully extended. They must be locked in place to prevent tipping.
Server Rack Shelves
Server rack shelves are a good option for data center equipment that is moved frequently, such as in a lab or testing environment. Shelves are also used for equipment that lacks mounting rails, including PCs, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), and A/V equipment.
The most basic server rack shelves are fixed and come in a variety of depths and thicknesses. Cantilever shelves are designed to mount on two-post racks while supporting up to 150 pounds of weight. Some shelves are vented to improve airflow.
Sliding shelves offer greater access to cables in the back of the shelf and simplify the removal of equipment for maintenance. Light-duty sliding shelves are ideal for laptops and keyboard and mouse setups. There are also specialty shelves for unusually shaped equipment such as the cylindrical old Mac Pro, opened laptops, and Mac minis.
Server Rack Accessories from Enconnex
Designing a server rack is a complex undertaking with many variables. The experts at Enconnex are here to help you select the right server rack rails, shelves, and other accessories to ensure the proper installation of IT equipment. Give us a call to discuss your requirements.
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