Server Rack Discussion

[Kensu]

Hey everyone, this is my first time posting here despite following LTT for years now. I have a few server computers that I have been using for multiple purposes over the years, and have recently purchased a server from ebay that is rack mountable. It's a 1U server, and I intend to use it just for practicing proper setup of a server and stuff. My problem lies within actually wanting to mount it. I am kind of (extremely) reluctant to spend a lot of money on a rack. No problem there - off to searching for one. Turns out that through Craigslist I found a company that is liquidating their assets which includes over a dozen 42U server racks for $50 and under. They have both IBM and HP models, and they include server doors. 

 

I have room for it, however I am having a hard time deciding on rather or not I should go with it or build a custom server rack as I have seen. I don't imagine wood is best practice, but I could make a shorter server rack on my own this way rather than going super overkill with a 42U that would be shoved into the unfinished basement room. Another problem is moving it. I am currently in college, but will be moving out sometime within the next few years. I would need to be able to take this with me so it would be out of the way when I leave, even if I can't run it from the noise the servers are going to make.

 

I'm here to get some input on rather or not it's a good idea to build my own custom server rack to mount a few computers to or not. I have 2 old Dell T3500 Workstations that I have been using for a while for various things, and a 1U server arriving sometime this week. I plan on putting the workstations on shelves as well.

 

Any thoughts on this? 

[Belgarathian]

1 minute ago, Kensu said:

-snip-

If you're moving around a bit, a 42U is not going to be a wise purchase. Wood will be fine as a temp solution. 

[FAQBytes]

You could also shorten it yourself if you're handy with power tools. 

[Kensu]

1 minute ago, FAQBytes said:

You could also shorten it yourself if you're handy with power tools. 

This was suggested to me before, but I do have an angle grinder lying around somewhere. I just feel like it's kind of destructive though, and should might mess it up and make it useless.

[Guest]

If you think 50 USD is worth the experiance and fun: go for it!

11 minutes ago, Kensu said:

to use it just for practicing proper setup of a server and stuff.

Another reason why you SHOULD buy this server rack.

 

If you don't buy it, you've already watched too many LTT vids.

[FAQBytes]

Just now, Kensu said:

This was suggested to me before, but I do have an angle grinder lying around somewhere. I just feel like it's kind of destructive though, and should might mess it up and make it useless.

The big question is what shape are the vertical structure made out of, and how hard would it be to shift the top assembly down. 

It is a standard square tubing (Easy) or a more unique structure? (What I'm saying is pictures are helpful.)

 

If you're not confident, since they are so tall, if you want a 24-u rack, mark 24, and start practicing your cuts near the top. If you're uncomfortable after a few attempts, it won't be too difficult to reinforce that one beam since everything load-bearing would be below it, and the rest of the structure will add rigidity.

[W-L]

-Moved to Servers and NAS-

[Kensu]

Just now, FAQBytes said:

The big question is what shape are the vertical structure made out of, and how hard would it be to shift the top assembly down. 

It is a standard square tubing (Easy) or a more unique structure? (What I'm saying is pictures are helpful.)

 

If you're not confident, since they are so tall, if you want a 24-u rack, mark 24, and start practicing your cuts near the top. If you're uncomfortable after a few attempts, it won't be too difficult to reinforce that one beam since everything load-bearing would be below it, and the rest of the structure will add rigidity.

Here is a link to the listing. I won't be able to make it there until Friday so I hope no one here on LTT forums is in the area interested in them to snatch them all up

 

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mat/6003080668.html

[FAQBytes]

1 minute ago, Kensu said:

-snip-

I think the HP ones are your best bet as it seems like everything unscrews and you can cut it to the desired length and re-screw the top on.

[Guest]

If I could, I would buy some of them racks. (and put them in my garage, for tools and such) They look awesome.

[Kensu]

2 minutes ago, Dutch-stoner said:

If you think 50 USD is worth the experiance and fun: go for it!

Another reason why you SHOULD buy this server rack.

 

If you don't buy it, you've already watched too many LTT vids.

May brother wanted to build a PC and needed my help. He got a non-standard SSD size and we had to get an adapter so it would work through SATA (is not NVMe/PCIe drive). Still didn't fit into an adapter for mounting so it's just hanging there exposed to everything. We almost also destroyed a processor by letting old case fall over on it. We might as well work at LMG.

[Kensu]

1 minute ago, FAQBytes said:

I think the HP ones are your best bet as it seems like everything unscrews and you can cut it to the desired length and re-screw the top on.

I don't really know the difference between most racks, and am going to check them all out when I am there. I think I'll be getting one with a door and are those PDUs mounted to the sides? In the email the seller also mentioned extra rails he could throw in, which I would need even if I were building my own.

[Scheer]

If you are looking for a cheap small option, the Ikea Lack table (~$10) is commonly used as it is the perfect spacing and you can stack a few of them, but I'm not sure how well it works when you do servers on rails: https://wiki.eth0.nl/index.php/LackRack

 

Another option for DIY would be building a wooden frame and attaching tapped rack angles that will have the "U" spacing in them already: https://www.amazon.com/Reliable-Hardware-Company-RH-8-SRR-Space/dp/B00JQYUEA2/

 

If I was anywhere near Atlanta I'd pickup a few of those server cabinets in a heartbeat...whenever they pop up around here they go for $300+.

 

I needed one to fit under my stairs so I took a standard 2-post 19" telcom rack, chopped it at 2/3rds the height and screwed it down on a rolling base with the tall section in the front for the small stuff, and the short section mounted in the back to give me a 4-post section for the larger stuff.

 

[doup93]

If you are planning to move and want some kind of rack, Startech makes some racks that you assemble yourself. I bought their Startech 42U 4 post rack and it is very sturdy and easy to assemble (didn't have a need to disassemble yet so can't really comment on that except that it would be feasible). Just look for flat pack racks on their website.

[Griefa]

I have used vertical racks before, only 4U, but should do you for a while if you're only mucking about with a 1U. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/NavePoint-Vertical-Mountable-Server-Hardware/dp/B01M1GFVKD/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489788495&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=4u+wall+rack&psc=1

 

Should be able to find one second hand somewhere.

 

Or...

 

 

A big PC case, and you can fit a couple in there  900D has space for 2 PSU's, and therefore two motherboards (with some planning - Hex stand-offs on first motherboard stacked to oblivion), so leave's room for expansion. That's my idea anyway...