Racks & Cabinets

Racks and cabinets play a crucial role in organising and housing network infrastructure components such as servers, switches, routers, patch panels, and other networking equipment. They come in various sizes, configurations, and mounting options to suit different needs and environments.

 

Floor Standing Racks and Cabinets

 

Floor standing racks and cabinets are typically larger and designed to accommodate a higher density of equipment. They are commonly used in data centers, server rooms, and other centralised networking environments. Here's a description of features commonly found in floor standing racks and cabinets:

 

1. Height: Floor standing racks and cabinets come in various heights, typically measured in rack units (U), where 1U equals 1.75 inches (44.45 mm). Common heights include 42U, 45U, and 48U, although other sizes are also available.
    

2. Construction: They are usually made of sturdy materials such as steel to provide durability and support heavy equipment loads.
    

3. Doors and Panels: Many floor standing cabinets feature front and rear doors, which may be solid or perforated for ventilation. Removable side panels provide easy access for maintenance and cable management.
    

4. Ventilation: Ventilation options include built-in fans, perforated doors, and roof-mounted fans to ensure adequate airflow and prevent equipment overheating.
    

5. Cable Management: Floor standing racks often include cable management features such as cable trays, vertical and horizontal cable organisers, and cable routing channels to keep cables organised and minimise clutter.
    

6. Security: Some cabinets offer locking doors and side panels to restrict access and enhance security for valuable equipment.

 

Wall Mounted Racks

 

Wall mounted racks are designed for environments where floor space is limited or where equipment needs to be located closer to network endpoints. Here's a description of features commonly found in wall mounted racks:

 

1. Size: Wall mounted racks come in various sizes, typically measured in rack units (U), similar to floor standing racks. Common sizes include 6U, 9U, and 12U, but other sizes are also available to accommodate different equipment requirements.
    

2. Construction: They are usually constructed from materials such as steel or aluminum to provide strength and stability while minimising weight.
    

3. Open or Closed Design: Wall mounted racks may have open frames or enclosed cabinets, depending on the need for airflow and equipment protection.
    

4. Mounting Options: They can be mounted directly onto walls using brackets or wall mounts. Some models feature swing-out racks for easier equipment access and maintenance.
    

5. Cable Management: Wall mounted racks often include cable management features such as cable rings, cable ties, and integrated cable channels to keep cables organised and prevent tangling.
    

6. Accessibility: Wall mounted racks are designed for easy access to equipment, with features such as hinged frames or removable side panels for convenient maintenance.

 

Both floor standing racks and wall mounted racks are essential components of network infrastructure, providing organisation, protection, and accessibility for critical networking equipment. The choice between them depends on factors such as available space, equipment requirements, and environmental conditions.