Providing physical support in every data center are the server racks, which house the essential hardware, from computer servers to patch panels. Several types of racks exist, and the ones you choose depend on your computing needs. The framework of a data rack can be open like a shelf or closed like a cabinet. Other factors to consider when choosing rack models include additional equipment, your data center’s security, and optimal cooling, among others.
Racks for Servers
The type of rack your team selects will depend on the kind of equipment you house; fortunately, rack configurations are flexible and changeable. Servers are the core component kept in racks, running the various data, applications, and functions of a business. They come in different sizes, from slender blades to traditional PCs, although there is a trend towards smaller, more efficient servers.
Racks offer three essential solutions for server needs:
Airflow: Servers absorb and give off a lot of energy in the form of heat. Racks are ideal for cooling them off with effective airflow.
Problem-solving: Any kind of troubleshooting is easier to resolve with servers all in one place on racks. Equipment is physically easier to reach, examine, and manipulate.
Security: Servers and their ancillaries can be locked in place in a server rack, thus minimizing the risk of tampering or even equipment theft.
Next, let’s explore some of the other ways to utilize racks in data centers.
Racks for Patch Panels
Patch panels are used to connect cables and route them to their proper destinations. Different types of cables include fiber cables, cat-5 cables, and POTS lines. Two-post or open frame racks provide optimal cable containment.
Racks for Switches and Routers
Two integral elements of data centers are routers and switches. Keeping them centrally located in racks is critical for the greatest functionality of the entire system. A router usually connects two or more networks for communications between multiple devices. Switches are used to direct data from its origin to a specific destination, often a particular device.
Rack Components
Several different types of additional parts can be added to a rack, depending on the rack’s purpose.
Rails: Inspecting equipment is more secure and safe with the installation of rails. Servers and panels are attached to rails and can be slid in and out when needed for troubleshooting, assessments, or upgrades.
Blanking Panels: A blanking panel is used to manage airflow in a server rack and therefore throughout the data center. Of secondary importance, it’s also an aesthetic unit used to cover an empty rack.
Cable Management: Cable management bars corral cables neatly. Thus, cables are easier to locate and track within a rack.
Power Cords: Providing electricity to the individual components housed within the racks, power cords are another essential piece of equipment in a data center.
Additional Gear
Other types of equipment found in or near server racks include laptops for troubleshooting and fans for cooling the temperature within the data center. Server racks are easily customized to house these pieces and maintain a sense of visual continuity and organization.
At Silverback Data Center Solutions, we are happy to advise you regarding the best choice of server racks for your needs.
