Racks for under $100?

M

mpeg4v3

Gawd
Joined
Sep 14, 2001
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For the longest time I've wanted to rackmount my computing setup. The problem is, racks are expensive as hell, and the only ones I can find are huge- over 20U. I was wondering, does anyone know of any place to possibly get a rack under 20U (16U or so would be great) for under $100? Or, how hard is it to build a rack? I have pretty much no skill when it comes to constructing things.
 
Wow, I was just about to start a new thread about racks and how difficult it was to build one. For the rack posted in that link, anyone have any experience mounting 2u servers on that (thinking of the heavist thing I would mount on a rack like that)? Racks are extremely expensive, cabinets even more so, but there are some good deals on gaybay every now and then. There is a brand new HP server cabinet I found yesterday, but it's around $300 BIN. I'd highly suggest finding a way to build your own rack if your budget is under $100, because unless you use an A/V rack, I highly doubt you'll find too much anywhere. If you find a link on how to build a rack, link me too ;)
 
Every once in a while I see a surplus company selling switching racks on eBay for about $75. I don't have any links handy, but try searching for "switching rack" or something similar. Not as nice as a full cabinet rack, but takes up much less room. Much more sturdy than what was linked to. I think those are just made for a CD player and a mixer for DJ's.
 
^^
That's just what I was talking about. A lot of places sell them, see if you can find one close to where you live for cheaper shipping.
 
I've heard people say that mounting servers on 2-post racks is far from secured. I actually haven't seen anyone mount 2u or greater servers successfully on anything but a 4-post rack/cabinet.
 
Pixeleet said:
I've heard people say that mounting servers on 2-post racks is far from secured. I actually haven't seen anyone mount 2u or greater servers successfully on anything but a 4-post rack/cabinet.
Click to expand...

Come to our server room then :D I wouldn't advise it though. The racks are bolted to the floor but its still a bit more wobbly than I like and you get slightly disfigured rack ears on some of the equipment. But it can be done.... I know we have a ton of wall mount racks that are maybe 1/3rd height I guess that we don't use, you might see if you can find something like that too.
 
I didn't read the rest of the posts in this thread because im lazy today :p

but if you are looking for a smallish rack to mount a few switches and a server or two in, go to your local music shop, and see what they ahve for equipment racks....I know that several people on here have recommened this before if you want a rack for your home, but don't want the huge 42U rack size or something of the likes of a monstrosity in your home....

I personally am looking at a small 19" rack for my switches and a couple of my servers so I can take em to my lan parties i host with much more ease now :D
 
You definately need a 4 post rack if you want to mount a server and have it stay in the rack. I definately would not trust a server in a 2 post rack. Besides...you need a 4 post rack for rails which makes hardware failures and maintinence so much easier.
 
you could build a nice one for about 30$ worth of materials, but it does take forever and is a pain. for a long time, ive wanted to build a small rack with wheels (mini-fridge sized) to shove my sony tuner/mixer/amplifier in, poor man server (486dx4) and a couple of other things, and have it hold in a monitor but it just takes a long time to design the thing
 
http://connexx.on.ca/images/relay_rack.jpg
http://www.datacablingservices.net/images/Relay rack.jpg
http://www.alltronics.com/images/RelayRack.JPG
http://www.colocentral.com/Relay Racks7.jpg
http://www.colocentral.com/Relay Racks2.jpg

rolleyes.gif
 
look around middle atlantic's site, but finding a vendor may be a challenge
http://www.middleatlantic.com/studio/ec/ecracks.htm#sb

or, build your own:
http://www.middleatlantic.com/rackac/rail/rail.htm

I am fortunate to have a vendor in Massachusetts, You Do It Electronics who offers pick up service - save a bundle on shipping.

Most of this gear is designed for audio racking but conforms to networking requirements as well. Im using some middle atlantic racks in the office to hold my switches and patch panels.

Also, I want this desk badly! (spooge)
http://www.middleatlantic.com/sec/LCDdesk.htm
 
Hmm.... some of those ideas look pretty good. However, I'd prefer a 4-post, because I like sturdy things, and I plan to move this around quite a bit. It's going to house a lot of LAN gaming equipment. I might have to stop by any local audio places one of these days and check out their rack options.
 
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