Hi, wonder if anyone can guide me a little.

 

Just bought my first 2u rack server, for my first unRaid build.

 

At the moment, it doesn't have a home, so looking at what rack options I have - but it's a bit of a minefield out there, so not really sure what I'm looking for.

 

Capacity

I do know I'm after something fairly small - max 18u, but 10-12 is probably about the ideal. (I have a couple of desktops to stick in there, and then just switches, routers etc).

Wife would have a hissy-fit it a huge 40u turned up (treading on thin ice at is it  )

 

Width

Most racks advertise themselves as being 19in wide. My server is 17.3in wide (excluding ears) - is '19in' the standard width, designed to accommodate 17.3in wide chassis?

 

Depth

This is where I get a little muddled. It seems every rack has a different depth.

My server in about 26in deep (excluding room for cabling at the rear)

 

I presume that if I wanted something fully enclosed, I'd need one at least 30in deep, I presume, but don't seem to find that many sub-20u racks that deep.

Does an enclosed one help with noise much? I presume that an enclosed one has to be cooled itself - would the noise from this be much/any better than from one rack server (which I'm noise-optimizing anyway)?

 

If I instead when for an 'open' rack, could I then have something shallower and allow it to stick out the rear?

 

eg, this one is open framed, but only 19in deep.

 

I really like this idea of this one, but not yet found something similar in the UK - though I think part of the problem is not really know what I'm searching for at the moment! 

 

Thanks for any pointers!

 

 

ok, so this feels like the sort of thing that might work.

 

Now just to try and find one nearer the £100 mark 

I just picked up this used 12U rack from a guy for $250, its kind of like the one in this link however I think mine is an older model.

 

https://www.startech.com/ca/Server-Management/Racks/15U-Enclosed-Cabinet-Plexiglass-Front-Door~2636CABINET

 

Not sure what the market is like in the UK but I am sure you should be able to find something on the used market, craigslist maybe? Finding something for around 100 quid though might be a real challenge though.

ok, so this feels like the sort of thing that might work.
 
Now just to try and find one nearer the £100 mark [emoji33]

Have a look at allmetalparts.co.uk, they have the open front/back DJ type racks.

I have used them for rack shelves and the quality/price is good albeit theyre a bit on the heavy side