External Dimensions And Environmental Conditions
If your server rack is to be assembled outside of your data center or co-location facility, will it
be able to fit through the doorway and other obstructions?
Take some time to assess your target location’s ceiling height and clearance regulations.
Additionally, make sure you respect dimensions of stairways and elevators if necessary. Finally,
determine whether these dimensions will work with the external dimensions of the enclosure.
Standard Rack Measurements
It’s important to get familiar with industry standards and terms. The Electronic Industries
Alliance (EIA) uses a 19 rack as its standard. This is a 19-inch wide rack enclosure, also
known as “Rack Unit” or simply “U,” with rack mount rails that are 17.75-inches apart and
with heights in 1.75-inch increments.
So, calculating the total usable space of a rack enclosure is pretty straightforward: Just
multiply the quantity of rack units by 1.75”.
The standard cabinet is 40 and 44 rack units, or 40u or 44u tall with an average external
height of 76 and 83 inches, average external width of 24 inches and average external depth
of 36 and 42 inches. However, keep in mind that external dimensions of 40u and 44u racks
will vary by manufacturer.
Power Distribution
Power distribution units (PDUs) disperse power evenly
to servers over the entire power strip. Rack mount
power strips, made specifically for server racks, mount
vertically or behind mounting posts in the back of a
cabinet. Power strips can be standard or intelligent.
• Standard power strips have fuse replacement
indicators and output displays, but they must be
managed on-site and in person.
• Intelligent power strips give you remote power control so you can perform cold
reboots and troubleshoot problems off-site, provided you have internet access. This
remote control also allows you to leverage the most advanced power distribution
technologies, e.g. 3-Phase power, which uses fewer circuits, offers a more balanced
power load, reduces the number of PDUs needed and increases strength of electric
current (amperage) in the server rack.
Other power-related considerations you should keep in mind are requirements for the
number of outlets, plugs/receptacles and inclusion of additional components.
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