How Many Servers Can Fit In A Rack?

A data center (DC) is a separate building or premises, which are designed to house and operate high-performance computing apparatus. This type of premises creates favorable conditions for your hardware and the staff that maintains it.

The premises for data centers are most often located near the backbone traffic exchange point, since access to powerful computing devices is carried out via the Internet. Server rooms are equipped with modern, efficient engineering systems, which serve as a guarantee of stable functioning.

Types of Server Rooms

Depending on the size of an enterprise, the required server room is chosen. They distinguish several types of premises, namely:

• Enterprise rooms include premises owned by companies. A functioning system is optimized to the needs of a business.
• Managed services premises provide high-computing power for third-party companies that lease system capacities.
• Colocation premises where infrastructure, hardware, and space are hosted by several companies.
• Cloud rooms include systems hosted by providers of large cloud services.

How Many Racks in a Data Center: What It Depends On

Physical Space

The total floor space in the data center determines the number of racks it can hold. This requires considering the layout to ensure ample space for aisles and maintenance access. Before rack installation, conduct a detailed site survey and carefully plan the layout to prevent future operational issues. Measure the floor space accurately, assess the load-bearing capacity, and ensure proper airflow and cooling are in place. For a detailed guide on planning a server rack installation, refer to the article titled «How to Plan a Server Rack Installation».

Standard Server Cabinet Sizes

To find out how many server racks are in a closet, note that the answer depends on the size of the cabinet itself. There are diverse models from tiny enclosures to huge massive furniture. They will accommodate different numbers of racks. The depth of a standard panel cabinet ranges between 36–48 inches.

To make furniture measurements, you need to know the «U» term, since the height of cabinets is measured in Units (= 1.75 inches). The height is determined as 6U, 22U, 42U, etc.

Depending on these parameters, the system administrator can calculate how many server racks can fit the cabinet.
Yet, when dealing with the issue of furniture size, keep in mind that extra space must be left for better cooling and expansion. Thus, do not choose products that fit your devices precisely. All functioning parts should be housed loosely.

Note that the main task of server cabinets is to protect storing hardware from damages and secure all devices from the negative impact of human and environmental factors. Thus, it is not allowed to place equipment tightly and ignore general rules of space organization. The number of accommodated servers directly depends on the size of furniture.

Cabling

Proper cable management and networking infrastructure ensure efficient connection and management of each rack. Using appropriate cable management accessories enhances organization and performance. For more detailed tips on managing cables in a server rack, refer to the article.

How Many Server Racks are there in a Data Center?

It is obvious that depending on the type of DC, the size of a company, required power, and set needs, the number of servers differs. When calculating the number of stored servers, note that administrators of the system have certain rules for placing server cabinets inside the premises. Thus, furniture must be separated by 8 tiles to ensure optimal functioning conditions. When placing server racks inside the room, cold and hot aisles are formed. To guarantee correct and sufficient airflow, this rule must be met.

To conclude, up to 2,689,000 1U servers can be placed in DC. More precise calculations can be made, taking into account the square of the room and other above-mentioned criteria.