Although server racks may look similar, they can actually be categorized into several types based on their purpose, primarily cabling racks and server racks. Cabling racks are mainly used to house multiple terminal switches, requiring numerous network cable connections. These racks typically lack doors and resemble a simple rack; some manufacturers also refer to them as cabling shelves. Server racks, on the other hand, are usually equipped with doors and locks to protect valuable internal equipment. Therefore, high-value devices such as routers and firewalls are generally housed in these racks.
Standard Server Racks: These racks are a standard type, featuring glass doors and four cooling fans at the top for ventilation and heat dissipation, ensuring a constant internal temperature. The bottom has an open design to facilitate airflow. While the top provides good cooling, the lower and middle sections of the rack have relatively poorer cooling performance.
Advanced Server Racks: These racks represent a higher-end option. The front and rear doors are riddled with ventilation holes to enhance heat dissipation, allowing cool air to be effectively distributed around each server, thus improving the overall cooling performance of the rack. In addition, we can clearly see that the materials used in this rack are of high quality, possessing excellent corrosion resistance, rust prevention, and load-bearing capacity.
Rack Price Considerations
Price is always a key factor to consider, but other crucial features should not be compromised for the sake of price. A rack with a high cost-performance ratio should be chosen. Although servers and peripherals are replaced frequently, a high-quality rack can be used for a long time.
Rack Size Selection
The "U" we mentioned is a unit used to represent server size, originating from the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). This size specification aims to provide a standard to ensure that servers fit in iron or aluminum racks.
Specifically, it specifies the server width (48.26 cm, or 19 inches) and height (multiples of 4.445 cm). Therefore, racks conforming to this size standard are called "19-inch racks," which is the standard width for rack-mount servers.