When looking for the right server cabinet to house your data farm, there are a few checks you should do to ensure that the product you end up buying is the right shape and size for your needs as well as not breaking the bank.
The first thing to consider is the height of the cabinet. Most server cabinet and racks are measured in ‘u’ sizes. One ‘u’ is 44.45mm. Most server equipment that can be mounted on a rack, such as a 24 port patch panel, is 1u high. To work out how much space you need, check that each piece of equipment you have is 1u in height and count how many items you are planning to install in your new cabinet. If your equipment is not rackmountable, research and factor in how much space shelving will take up.
If space is at a premium, Blade servers may be the best choice for your needs. A blade server is different from a standard rack-mounted server in that it is a stripped down, modular server that is designed to take up less space and use less power. Those with knowledge of computer hardware repair can even make spot repairs on these devices using computer spares as replacement parts.
When working out how much room you will need in your new server cabinet, it is always recommended to leave some room for expansion. 10 percent is the recommended minimum.
Having worked out the internal space you need, factoring in space for cabling and fan trays, it is worth checking how big the external dimensions of the cabinets you are looking at are. The external dimensions will be much bigger than the space inside so make sure you measure the space you want the cabinet to sit in. If you plan to add feet or castors, the height of the cabinet will be slightly higher.
It is also important to ensure the place you put your server cabinet is cool and is well ventilated.