Keeping the hardware in your data center safe and organized should be one of your most pressing priorities. This is because a well-organized data center not only minimizes the risk of errors but it also keeps your sanity intact.
Server racks and cabinets play an enormous role in keeping servers and data centers well-organized. But despite this shared goal, these structures depict a myriad of differences as outlined in the underlying article.
What is a Server Rack?
A server rack is an open-frame storage unit typically utilized to preserve essential IT hardware such as servers in a safe and orderly fashion. This rack features a series of shelves and mounting rails, which allow you to securely preserve your servers or other IT equipment. Server racks, however, do not feature doors and this makes it easier for you to access the preserved hardware.
What is a Server Cabinet?
A server cabinet bears a locked-down design, which allows you to preserve your valuable servers and other IT hardware safe and far from the reach of unauthorized personnel. It comes with a lockable door making it easier for you to access the preserved servers. Advanced server cabinets feature vented side panels and other cooling solutions, which optimize airflow.
Key Similarities Between Server Racks and Server Cabinets
In data centers server racks and server cabinets are words often used interchanged. This is a testament to the similarities these essential storage components share. However, with a little digging in, you will notice that they are distinct structures. But before we venture into their differences, let us delve into their parallels.
· Vertical Organization
Both server cabinets and racks are bolted upright meaning that you arrange your servers on different shelves configured vertically. This configuration is not only space efficient but also facilitates the inclusion of more mounting rails and storage shelves.
· Cooling Considerations
Although the cooling techniques and features employed in server racks may differ from those employed in server cabinets, these two storage units feature elaborate cooling options. They both manage heat competently and efficiently.
· Physical Protection
Both server cabinets and racks serve the primary purpose of safeguarding your IT hardware from theft, physical force, and environmental elements. However, they both boast varying degrees of protection.
· Cable Management
They both come fitted with cable trays and tie-off points, which make it easier for you to manage your cables and wires. This minimizes cable clutter in your data center.
Key Differences Between Server Cabinets and Racks
More often than not, server cabinets and racks serve similar roles. This has created a misconception that they are both one and the same. Server racks are quite different from server cabinets just like typical racks and cabinets and here are their respective differentiating factors.
· Physical Design
Whereas server racks boast an open design, server cabinets boast a locked-down design. The open design in server racks makes it easier to access and operate the stored hardware while also facilitating optimal airflow. The enclosed design in server cabinets, on the contrary, boosts the security of your preserved servers.
· Security
Server cabinets are undoubtedly more secure than server cabinets thanks to the inclusion of lockable doors which prevent unauthorized access. However, this does not mean that server racks are not secure. They safeguard your IT hardware from environmental elements as well as physical impact.
· Cooling and Airflow
Server racks boast an open frame, which facilitates natural airflow thus helping you manage your servers’ heat more efficiently and less costly. Server cabinets on the other hand feature doors, which limit airflow thus necessitating the inclusion of fans to boost airflow.
· Noise Reduction
Server cabinets limit the amount of noise that leaves the stored IT hardware and servers since they are locked up and do not feature multiple openings. This explains why they are widely favored in office environments. Server racks, in contrast, feature a myriad of wide openings, which permit the noise generated by the preserved hardware to percolate into the surrounding spaces. This causes distraction.
· Accessibility
The openness of server racks means that you can access your stored hardware with great ease and from multiple angles. This is not possible with server cabinets whose design is essentially closed. To access the stored equipment, you must unlock the closed doors.
· Cost
Server racks are quite simple compared to server cabinets and this often translates into relatively lower price tags. For instance, acquiring an open-frame server rack is likely to cost anywhere between $200 and $2000. Procuring a fully-enclosed server cabinet on the contrary will most likely cost you between $1000 and $5000.
· Applications
The difference in design exhibited by server racks and server cabinets means that these storage facilities are often suited to different scenarios. Whereas server cabinets thrive in applications prioritizing security, server racks flourish in applications demanding optimal airflow. Here are their distinct uses.
| Server Cabinet | Server Rack |
| Enterprise server storage | Broadcast production |
| Small offices | Computer labs |
| Data centers | Web hosting facilities |
| Telecommunication companies | Open-air server installations |
| Media production studios | Network Infrastructure |
| Security and surveillance systems | Data centers |
| Cloud hosting providers | Hyperscale computing |
| Hospitals and clinics | Temporary data centers. |
Choosing Between a Server Cabinet and a Server Rack
When looking for a storage component for your servers or IT hardware, you are likely to find yourself tussling between a server rack or a server cabinet.
These prominent storage structures suit different needs differently and settling for one that best suits your needs necessitates some serious deliberations. Give thought to the following factors;
- Security Requirements
- Accessibility
- Cooling Requirements
- Equipment density
- Available Space
- Maintenance
- Aesthetics
Conclusion
As long as you are looking to make your data center more organized and to keep your IT hardware safe, a server cabinet or rack will definitely come in handy. However, you should bear in mind that server cabinets flourish in applications prioritizing security and noise reduction. Server racks, in contrast, thrive in applications emphasizing airflow and easy accessibility.
More resources:
Choosing Server Rack Cabinet Size – Source: KDMSTEEL
Server Rack Cabinets – Source: KDMSTEEL
Server Rack Sizes – Source: KDMFAB
Wall Mount Server Racks – Source: KDMFAB
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