Size and Capacity in Server Racks – What’s the Difference

Server Rack — this is a frame specially designed for placing and organizing IT equipment. The standard frame is 19 inches wide, and server rack commonly come in three standard widths: 19″, 23 ” and 24″.

With the growing demand for computing power and storage space, server racks are essential for achieving high equipment density. Proper use of data processing center (DPC) frames can help organize, securely, and efficiently consolidate various networking equipment. There are many types of DPC server racks, so it is important to choose the one that best meets your needs.

For someone new to server racks, they might all appear the same. However, many businesses use them daily and are always looking for ways to optimize their use and invest in them. For such cases, it is important to distinguish between their main features.

Data Center Journal Report

A recent Data Center Journal article sheds light on the difference between the density and size of a rack and a cabinet. These are two of the most requested server storage solutions. The report notes that the differences are less significant than they might seem at first glance. The main distinction is that racks are open frames, while cabinets are enclosed with panels. Cabinets can have doors with perforations to improve ventilation or with plexiglass windows. The server racks cabinet provides additional security with a lockable option.

The differences between these two pieces of equipment are not something that businesses need to pay significant attention to. More important are the dimensions of these system components. The most important indicators are size and capacity, which are the vital elements in choosing racks.

The size

Regarding common sizes, the report mentions that racks have special units to indicate the size of components, often identified by the letter U. These units typically measure 1.75 inches each. The hole spacing for a standard 19-inch frame is cut in groups of three, which specialists define as one U space. The journal also pays attention to the fact that rack height denotes several critical things for server users. They are:

• The amount of space provided usually corresponds with the amount of equipment that can fit there.
• The height helps determine how much energy can be delivered to the equipment in the rack.

The Depth

The rack’s depth should be 6 units deeper than the depth of the equipment. For example, if the depth of the equipment is 700 mm, then at the frame this indicator should be at least 900 mm. The depth of the equipment should not be greater than the depth of the frame.

Equipment in the rack should fit seamlessly, and there should also be space for additional devices to accommodate increased capacity. For example, if you want to place 20 servers, each 2U high (2 units), you will need a 42U rack frame to allow room for other equipment.

Storage development

Mike Kendall, Manager of the Options and Infrastructure Group at Hewlett-Packard, stated that the 19-inch rack is the most in demand among enterprises, making it the standard.

To be precise, the 42U high, 600 mm wide, 1000 mm to 1100 mm deep rack supports 19-inch IT products. These frames will continue to be popular. The modern companies grow and with them their needs for roomy storage methods will get bigger. Data centers will continue to receive investment from various IT customers. A recent article from RealPoints confirms this point: all enterprises and businesses are increasingly depending on IT systems. Thus, this is driving the flood of investments in DPC outsourcing services.