Wall-Mounting 1U Devices Without a Rack? 48
c640180 asks: "I need to figure out a way to mount a 1U enclosure in a small closet that doesn't have a relay rack or anything similar. Is there such a thing as a set of right angle brackets that would provide me with 19" wide screw holes so that I could mount the device vertically (so that the screws would be pointing down)? how do other folks who don't have real network closets mount real networking hardware?"
Here's a hint (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Here's a hint (Score:2)
Boy, this is an easy one. (Score:2)
One caveat. If you plan to mount your device with the front panel facing up as you describe, monitor the temperature of the unit for the first little while. 1U devices are often passively cooled and may require the correct orientation in order to work properly.
Re:Boy, this is an easy one. (Score:3, Interesting)
I think I would probably hit the hardware store first, though. It'll likely be cheaper, and there will be a guy there who will tell you exactly what you need to do (asuming you adequately explain the problem to him). I've found that hardware store employees are some of the most helpful people in the world.
Re:Boy, this is an easy one. (Score:4, Interesting)
Remember, the intended purpose of these racks is not just for the shipping of equipment, but the use of it. Sensitive analog (and increasingly, digital) electronics upon which multi-million dollar shows (and hundreds of thousands of potentially-angry people) are relying on.
This type of stuff generally makes a lot more heat than a couple of PCs. And it's sitting in direct sunlight on a 105 degree day...that is, unless it's getting rained on.
Somehow, airflow seems to be OK for these folks. And they take it at least as seriously as any of you computer kids.
Low tech. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Low tech. (Score:3, Interesting)
Just check carefully before you block the bottom by putting it on a solid shelf. Wire shelves would be a decent workaround.
Re:Low tech. (Score:1)
Has nobody at your work thought of using a good set of rails? In our server room, it's a piece of cake to slide out a machine and work on it (you can pop the case off while it's still in the rack), or press a couple of levers and the guards snap out, letting you pull the machine out of the rack entirely.
This is MUCH easier and cleaner than using shelves.
Beware of Fire Hazards!!! (Score:5, Informative)
Think long and hard before you start running an electrical device 24X7 in a wooden closet that hasn't been fire-proofed.
That said, DataTel/MiddleAtlantic has a nice, affordable series of wall mount racks [the "WM" series]:
Syndat, out of Oklahoma, is a retailer who will mail them to you [the "WM" series isn't listed on their website, but they do carry it - ask a salesman]:Consider convection. (Score:5, Informative)
If you turn things sideways, the convection currents that the manufacturer allowed for in the design will flow the wrong way and may not provide enough cooling.
For most things you can probably fix this by adding another fan or three, but if you have a CPU that is cooled by a heat pipe setup, it will not work at all. Heat pipes must be the correct way round to work at all, otherwise you will kill your expensive server CPU quite quickly.
Also, consider things like tray loading CD-ROM drives, which may be inconvenient to use the wrong way round, though you probably don't plan on using it very much.
Hope this helps.
Build a rack (Score:1)
Ask Slashdot (Score:5, Funny)
I have these small devices holding my computer case on. Basically they are small pegs made out of metal, with a small cap or "head" on top. The cap has a small indention that looks like a plus (+) sign. It appears you are supposed to rotate them to extract them and remove the case. My question is, is there a tool of some sort to extract these metal pegs? TIA.
Re:Ask Slashdot (Score:4, Funny)
I think that the tool you are looking for is called a hammer. If you find that using the hammer doesn't help, you may want to also try and track down a cold chisel. That should definitely help you remove those stubborn pegs!
If all else fails, you can use a drill with a metal boring bit. Be sure to use a bit with a diameter several times that of the pegs, or you may risk leaving parts of the peg in place. Drilling to a depth of at least 10cm should ensure that the job is done thoroughly.
Re:Ask Slashdot (Score:1)
Re:Ask Slashdot (Score:2, Insightful)
What he's describing is actually called a "plug", which is where power enters the cabinet.
I've found them rather hard to pull out without the right equipment, but then I found something that did the trick: parallel pliers.
HTH.
Should be pretty simple (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Should be pretty simple (Score:1)
Reece,
Sideways Panel Mount (Score:3, Informative)
Just search Google, and you'll find a ton. I've used both an SPM2 (2U Sideways Panel Mount), and an SPM4 (4U).
You can use them to mount facing up or sideways, but I prefer sideways, as it's usually easier to read the displays.
Here are a few:
http://www.rackmountsolutions.net/WM_SPM.asp [rackmountsolutions.net]
http://www.middleatlantic.com/dcm/wall/spm.htm [middleatlantic.com]
Covered several times before (Score:2)
19" wide screw holes (Score:1)
Dexion! (Score:4, Informative)
A Howto Here [dexion.co.uk]
Re:Dexion! (Score:1)
use this as inspiration (Score:2)
Very easy. (Score:1)
You probably won't find a cheaper price than that, either.
Cheers
Re:Very easy. (Score:1)
This is an "Ask Slashdot" (Score:1)
Buy cheap racks from Universities (Score:1)
Look at the included mounting hardware (Score:3, Informative)
Take a look at the mounting brackets included with your kit, if any, along with the screwholes on the sides of the case. Sometimes, 1U-size devices are designed so that all you have to do is change where you place the brackets relative to the enclosure. E.g., Cisco 1U-size routers like the 2500 and 2600 series include mounting brackets that can also be used as wall-mounting straps, and is well documented in the installation manuals. Also, as noted above, you should note the ventilation characteristics of your hardware; if it has a fan, make sure that the exhaust points up (also noted in Cisco's documentation).
This might help. [cisco.com]
DIY - bare rack rails (Score:1, Informative)
Since music gear also uses standard 19" racks, a big music store will have all sorts of stuff you can probably adapt. If you search for "rack rails" on musician's friend's site above, there are all sorts of products. You can also find open frame rack kits, desktop rackmounts, etc. All you have to do is figure out how to mount them.
WindowsXP (Score:1)
The Answer. (Score:1, Flamebait)
I suggest lots of duct tape.
What's happening to survival skills anyway. Any person with half a clue should be able to work up some decent bracketry. I build what I need all the time. I'm almost done with a workbench I need; portable, legs store underneath and it rolls on casters, with a storage space inside, power supply, lighting, etc.,.
When you go buy your duct tape, glance into the hardware section and notice various things called "saws" and "hammers" and "drills". They are your friends. Use them.
Standard cheap shelf brackets (Score:2)
Depends on what kit you want to mount of course - I cant see a fridge working well on it's side [canford.co.uk]
strapping (Score:1)
One caveat: some equipment has fans at the back, blowing out. Hanging down, convection will be fighting this action. You might want to cut and reverse the wires to the fans, if that's the case. Oh, and make sure the heat doesn't stay in that closet, or you are likely to lose the system, and maybe much more.
Re:strapping (Score:1)
We used some of this with the metal strapping that came with our Chimney Mount (18")Sattalite kit because they only had it good for chimneys 18 feet around and ours was 26 feet. (Drilled into the Metal strapping tape that came into kit with 2 holes on each end so it wouldn't use the bolt as a pivot and break.) Its been up for over a year and still hasn't fallen off the chimney. (Installed Aug 2001) (and yes the dish is sitting on it).
Ductape (Score:1, Redundant)