The Best Network Server Racks and Cabinets of 2024
Make sure your company's servers or data rooms are tidy
Jesse Hollington
Jesse Hollington Jesse Hollington is a technology writer with over 10 years of experience. He has written for iLounge, Forbes, Yahoo, The Independent and iDropNews, among others. lifewire's Editorial Guidelines updated on March 4, 2024We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. We may receive compensation if you click on a link we provide. learn more.
Includes casters
Adjustable rack depth
Supports most types of devices
expensive
Moveable, but unable to fit through most doorways
If you're looking for a rugged and affordable full-size rack, Navepoint has you covered with this four-post 42U rack, capable of handling everything from telecom equipment and network switches to full blade server components.
It supports all standard 19-inch rack-mount equipment, and the rack depth is adjustable from 17 inches to 32.5 inches, giving you enough space to accommodate Dell, HP and IBM server sizes.
The sturdy four-post design ensures everything stays in place, and with a load capacity of 881 pounds, you can mount it on the floor of your server room or use the four included casters to make it more mobile, although the 82- inches height means you may not be able to move it from room to room.
lock glass door
Removable side panels
Suitable for shared wiring rooms
heavy and cumbersome
Not suitable for servers or network equipment
If you want a wall-mount option, the durable and sturdy Navepoint 12U Deluxe IT Server Network Rack is an excellent choice. The 12U offers a standard-sized 19-inch rack-mounted device with a maximum rail depth of 13 inches and a total usable space dimension of 16 inches from front to back. It weighs 71.2 pounds.
Removable side panels allow IT administrators or anyone responsible for managing network servers easy access before and after installation. Open brackets are provided on the top and bottom for easy cable and wire access, while a locking glass door protects the device from physical intrusion.
There are also ventilation slots on the removable side panels and dual built-in fans to keep the device cool.
Highly customizable design
Adjustable depth enables handling of a variety of equipment
Easy to set up
slightly tilted
Not equipped with adequate mounting hardware
Whether it's a traditional server, network-attached storage or telecommunications equipment, the Startech 25U Adjustable Depth Open Server Rack Cabinet is ready to take on the challenge.
Capable of supporting equipment weighing up to 1,200 pounds, the Startech 25U offers various mounting depth adjustments from 22 inches to 40 inches deep. The four-post stand is fully customizable to your needs, and optional accessories such as casters, leveling feet or cable management hooks are included in the box.
The open nature of the Startech 25U does mean there is no security at rack level, so it is best suited to areas that are already secure. Ultimately, the Startech 25U offers excellent storage in a package that's not too big, but it still meets industry rack standards so it'll fit most equipment.
Compact design
Perforated side panels allow for ventilation
Lockable
Shallow track depth
Not designed for servers
With a maximum load capacity of up to 200 pounds, the Tripp Lite 6U wall-mounted server cabinet is a versatile option. Heavy-duty steel frame supports 19-inch equipment, with perforated doors and side panels for maximum airflow.
It has a lock-friendly feature to prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing network equipment, and the door can be opened to the left or right, so it is suitable for a variety of room spacings. Additionally, the Tripp Lite 6U offers extra niceties like top and bottom cable ports for maintaining cable organization, which can get out of hand quickly depending on how many devices are inside the 16.5-inch-deep rack.
Installation is simple, and the rack comes with optional casters for easy transport, or it can be wall-mounted right out of the box.
Includes casters
Easy to assemble
Easy to move
No cable accessories
Not deep enough for a full-size server
The Navepoint 4-foot 22U Open Frame 19-inch Network Server Rack is ideal for changing IT environments because it comes with casters for easy movement and repositioning.
The 22U has a maximum depth of 23 inches, making it ideal for traditional 19-inch installations.
It supports a total weight of 661 pounds, adjustable depth from 10 inches to 16.75 inches, all mounted in a server rack with a height of 48 inches. The unit comes flat-packed for easy transport, and instructions help you assemble the 22U in 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, there are no cable management accessories for the NavePoint, but they are available online.
Extra height for smaller server rooms
Deep enough to support any device
Weight capacity 1322 lbs.
May require additional ceiling space for cooling
May require bolting for stability
If you need more than a standard 42U rack, look no further than Navepoint's 45U behemoth, which offers an extra three rack-mount slots so you can cram all your equipment into a single column and leave plenty of Proper cooling of the space.
With a 1,322-pound load capacity and adjustable rail depth of up to 40 inches, there's nothing this beast can't handle. Four-post open-frame racks include numbered mounting holes to make mounting equipment easier (although you'll need to supply clamping nuts, as the holes on this model are not pre-threaded).
The open design makes it easy to connect cables and equipment, while the columns are made from high-quality cold-rolled steel for ultimate durability. The only problem with this one is that it's so tall that you'll need to make sure there's enough clearance above it for air circulation, and depending on your server room layout and what's installed in it, you may need to secure it to prevent it from tipping over.
Ideal for switches, routers and network equipment
Attachable cable mount
Flexible installation options
Not suitable for large servers
At 4.5 feet tall, the Navepoint 25U Professional Two-Post IT Open Frame Server Rack is an all-star floor-standing rack. The 25U is capable of supporting standard-sized 19-inch installations and weighs a modest 20.8 pounds.
With a total capacity of over 900 pounds, 25U can handle lightweight, rack-mountable electronic equipment including routers, switches, telecommunications equipment, and even small servers.
Fortunately, all the cables that arise from the 4.5-foot floor-standing server space are well managed with attachable cable mounts that make it easy to organize network cables and keep them out of the way while the server is in use. You can use it with casters or bolt it to the floor.
If you have several network servers in your office, a good rack is essential to help keep everything organized, and it's important to remember that these racks aren't just for servers; . Network switches and hubs, telecommunications equipment, and even uninterruptible power supplies can be neatly organized into racks or cabinets to keep them under control.
Options range from tall floor-standing units designed for dedicated server rooms to small enclosed wall-mounted cabinets that are locked to prevent non-technical personnel from accessing critical equipment.
There are a variety of rack and enclosure styles to choose from, from basic open concept two- and four-post systems to systems with locking doors and integrated cooling, and they also come in a variety of sizes. What you choose depends largely on your needs, but if you're not an experienced IT professional, you may find the options a bit intimidating. Luckily, there are just a few simple things you need to know.
You might think that a network server rack is the kind of equipment that only large enterprise organizations need. After all, they conjure up images of sprawling data centers with countless rows of servers and other network equipment arrayed like robotic armies, and there's no doubt that organizations with such equipment need a way to keep everything up and running. Organize and manage effectively.
However, even small businesses can benefit from server racks to keep their equipment organized and tidy while ensuring its security. A good network server rack or cabinet will provide enough space for the equipment you need while keeping your equipment and accompanying cables out of harm's way, and they're not just suitable for dedicated server rooms; In fact, if you're placing servers and network equipment in a shared space like a supply room or utility room, a good server rack or cabinet may be even more important. We've heard countless stories of delivery people or office workers tripping over cables and bringing down the entire company's network.
The first and most obvious thing you want to consider is how much you want to invest in your rack, not just now but into the future.
Server racks are typically measured in "rack units," which represent the standard size of equipment that can be mounted in the rack. Very thin "pizza box" servers and network switches are typically one each, while larger servers and hard drive arrays may require three, five or more. These are designated by a number followed by the letter "U", so a "42U" rack can handle 42 rack units of equipment.
42U is the standard size server rack (approximately 6 feet tall) used by most large organizations, so it is the most common. However, racks and cabinets can be slightly larger in size (up to 45U) or much smaller, with small units as small as 6U being used in common spaces (such as utility closets). Keep in mind that not only should you plan for future expansion, but you should also leave some space between certain equipment for cooling purposes, especially if you are not putting it into a dedicated climate-controlled equipment room.
However, the "U" measurement only covers the height of the rack, and it's also important to consider how much depth is needed based on what you're going to put into the rack. If used only for network switches and telecommunications equipment, a shallow enclosure with a depth of approximately 13 to 17 inches will be satisfactory. Most server equipment typically runs about 40 inches deep, and you'll need a four-post rack to support the back end.
Note that the maximum depth of the rack is not important for most lighter equipment, such as network switches, since these devices usually only need to be supported by the front columns. Racks with only two mounting posts are typically used where only network switches and telecommunications equipment need to be installed.
Finally, rack width is standard, with nearly all server and network equipment racks being 19 inches wide. Whether you are installing a larger server or a network switch, if they are rack-mountable they will all be the same width.
Many rack servers offer the option of rail mounting. In this configuration, a pair of standard rails mount to the rack, screwed into all four posts, and then the server with the corresponding rails mounted on the side slides into the rack like a drawer into the cabinet.
This provides additional server stability and allows you to mix and match servers of different depths because the rails always run the full rack depth. Some professionals prefer to use rails on all equipment in the rack, including smaller, lighter network switches, but rails are usually only required for heavier equipment such as servers.
Using the rails also allows you to effectively access the server for maintenance and upgrades by sliding it out like a drawer. This is especially important when you have more than two or three servers in the rack, as disassembly can be cumbersome when you have more than two or three servers in the rack. All it needs to do is upgrade some RAM or replace the hard drive and it can become a full server.
Where you plan to install your rack will also affect the type of rack you choose, and may even limit your options. If you only have a small cubicle available, you're unlikely to choose a full-size 42U rack; if you're installing it in a high-traffic area (such as a copier room or supply room), you probably don't need an open-frame machine. rack room.
Most racks can also be fixed to the wall or floor for added stability, which you should consider doing, especially with taller racks. On the other hand, if you have the space and a relatively isolated area, some racks offer wheel supports to allow you to move them around the server room if necessary.
When considering the location of your rack, remember that computer equipment generates a lot of heat, and the more heat, the higher the temperature. If you have a climate-controlled server room, then open racks are fine, but since most small businesses can't afford to dedicate an entire room to networking equipment, you may want to give it a little more thought.
Some cases designed for networking equipment, such as switches, offer cooling fans, which can help. Still, even if you can use it, you'll want to make sure you install the rack or cabinet in a well-ventilated area and be sure to leave some space in between if you're going to put a lot of equipment in it. For example, if you have 26 rack units of equipment to install, consider purchasing a 42U rack to separate the space and allow for better airflow.
It's also possible to purchase rack-mounted fans that typically fit into a 1U space to provide additional cooling support, but you'll still need to leave space around these fans for airflow.
While larger enterprises can handle physical security at the server room door, most smaller organizations don't have that luxury, and you'll likely have servers and other network equipment installed where others can access them.
Since good network security relies heavily on restricting physical access to actual servers and network switches, if your equipment will be in an area generally accessible to employees, you may want to consider using enclosed racks that can be locked.
Also, keep in mind that physical security is often as important as protecting against mistakes by non-technical employees as it is against malicious hackers. True story: We once visited a remote office where a well-meaning employee shut down a server to save power because they never saw anyone using it.
While you might think of holes as standardized, there are at least three types of screw holes you'll find in modern server racks: threaded round holes, unthreaded round holes, and unthreaded square holes.
With many universal racks, you can choose between threaded or unthreaded holes. While threaded holes can use a variety of thread types, 12-24 is generally the most common. Threaded racks also typically have thicker uprights as they need to support the threads without the risk of thread cross-threading.
Typically, racks with threaded holes are ideal for network switches, audio equipment, telecommunications equipment, and other equipment that does not use rails. You'll typically screw them directly to the rack posts, and having a threaded hole saves you the trouble of using nuts to secure the screws behind the posts.
However, if you are primarily using rail-mounted equipment such as network servers, you will want a rack with unthreaded holes, as it is much easier to install rails in these racks. While you may still find some with round, unthreaded holes, these have been replaced in recent years by square holes, which make it easier to install rails.
Don’t worry if you’re mixing and matching rail-mounted and non-rail-mounted equipment in the same rack, as you can easily snap cage nuts into the square rack holes to effectively convert them to the equipment’s threads hole. Do not use rails. Alternatively, you could use rails to mount everything to avoid the cage nuts entirely.
Not all racks contain the same contents in the box, so you'll want to read the fine print. Some cheaper racks provide you with threaded holes and expect you to take out the mounting screws yourself.
Racks with unthreaded holes usually include at least some locking nuts, but you'll almost always need to buy the rails separately from the rack; depending on the vendor involved, you may get the rails when you buy a rack-mounted server , but this is not always the case.
The good news is that threaded racks use standard size screws, so if you need them in the future it's not hard to find more, but make sure you know what to expect from the rack itself so you know what else to expect when it arrives You need to have everything you need ready for installation.
navigation point
Navepoint is a Midwestern company that has become one of the leading third-party manufacturers of server racks, network equipment enclosures, and related accessories. Its products range from huge 45U ultra-tall four-post racks to smaller 12U lockable cabinets. If you need something for your server room, chances are Navepoint has it. Unlike OEM racks (those sold by big manufacturers like IBM, Dell, and HP), you'll generally find that Navepoint's options are more affordable and at least the same quality.
Statek
Startech is a well-known "jack of all trades" Canadian company that has been producing a wide range of computer accessories since the mid-1980s, from cables to docking stations, USB hubs, mounts, video adapters and pretty much everything in between. You can imagine the other accessories your computer system will need. Of course, this also includes server management hardware. While they don't offer the same abundance of high-end racks and cabinets, they offer some great and affordable options for small businesses that don't want a large dedicated server room.
In addition to the mounting hardware you need to mount your equipment into a rack, you'll find several other rack-mountable components that can be used to make installation smoother, and depending on your setup, you'll need at least Consider some of these.
Various manufacturers offer simple metal rack mounts that are very convenient for holding smaller devices like wireless access points and hubs that don't fit into a rack.
If you are installing the server into a rack, you will also need to add a keyboard and monitor. If you have the space, you can use a shelf for this purpose, but a rack-mounted keyboard tray or even a flat-panel LCD panel can be folded into the 1U rack space when not in use.
If you want to install multiple servers, you'll also want to consider adding a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch so you can easily switch between controlling different servers without having to juggle multiple keyboards and screens at the same time.
Other accessories you can add to the rack include lockable keyboard drawers and additional equipment drawers that fit into 1U or 2U of space, as well as patch panels and cable guides that attach to the rack to preserve all wires coming from the equipment From turning into a mess.
FAQThe height of a server rack is usually expressed in "rack units", abbreviated with a U suffix. A single rack unit is 1.75 inches tall, equivalent to the height of a typical switch, router, or ultra-thin "pizza box" server. A standard size 42U server rack is 73.5 inches tall (42 x 1.75). Different servers and other rack-mountable equipment should also have their dimensions listed in rack units so you can quickly see how much each server will take up. space. For example, a 3U server will occupy three 42-unit units in a standard rack.
You can easily calculate the rack size you need by checking the rack unit heights of your existing equipment and any other servers or routers you plan to purchase. However, as long as it's large enough to fit into the room you plan to install it in, it's always a good idea to go larger to provide room for your future expansion. There's no harm in leaving extra space; you can even buy rack-mountable trays and storage drawers.
While it's best not to overfill the rack if you can avoid it, nearly all modern servers or routers designed for rack mounting will handle ventilation through the front and back; although in most cases, above and below the equipment Leaving space usually doesn't matter, but you should leave enough open space behind the rack to give the hot air somewhere to circulate.
