The Different Types of Server Rack and Their Uses

There is more than one way to store a server, as the multiple different types of server rack aptly illustrate. Depending on what you want, or need, from your data and network set up, you will find different rack configurations that are best able to help you.

A basic rack will allow you to safely store your servers, with easy rear access for venting and cooling. Your basic server rack will also give you ease of use when putting the things together. No long drawn out build scenarios here – you buy your basic server rack in a flat pack form, you should be able to put it together in minimal time and then it is ready for use.

Soundproof server racks offer an excellent way to minimise the ambient noise of your office, commercial building or work space. The combined noise of several serves all cranking out data at once is actually quite high – but a soundproof server racking system can knock that noise down by as much as 40 decibels. Until recently, you pretty much had to build yourself a server room, or a server closet, if your server noise was too high. Thanks to the soundproof server rack you are now able to muffle that noise even in a smaller space.

Open frame server racks allow you to store multiple types of computer and server equipment in the same unit. An open frame server racking system is designed to hold the data centre that powers your equipment, plus things like communications hardware and monitors. Ideal for use in height restricted areas. You can also buy open frame server racks for larger environments.

A Co-Location server rack allows you to store multiple servers with different access priorities in a single rack. A Co-Location rack is basically a series of individual server “safes”, one on top of the other, within an overall framework. The server safes are accessed via individual keys or passwords.

Remember that many server racking options are designed to work in specific environments – i.e. within a server room, or in a data room that uses comms equipment. There is a rack for every location and occasion – and that even includes the standard office. An office ready server rack is designed to fit with the normal furniture of an everyday office, so you don’t have to have your nice working surrounding marred by a big white thing in the corner that looks and sounds like a fridge.

An office ready server racking system will most likely be made of wood or coloured inserts – or rather its side panels will be optional wood or colour insert finishes. The basic frame of the server racking system stays the same: sturdy metal posts designed to give maximum solidarity to the unit, with slot lockable trays inside that can be moved up and down to mount your servers in the best possible fashion.

Whatever server rack you choose, be sure that you are buying with room for improvement (extra servers). When your business expands you don’t want to have to start all over again.