Ask Slashdot: Building A Server Rack Into a New Home? 402
jawtheshark writes "I'm building a house, and obviously I want a modest network built-in. Nothing fancy, two RJ-45 per room, four in the living room, and that's basically it. I already got myself a rack mountable Cisco Small Business switch and I have a self-built 4U server (low-power, won't make much heat) which can be rack mounted (505mm deep). Now, the construction company suggests a wall mounted rack (6U: 340mm x 600mm x 480mm — 6U definitely won't be enough, but a 12U model exists). It's not expensive, but I have never worked on a rack where the backside is unreachable. (For work, I get to work in a data center with huge racks that are accessible from both sides). Now obviously, I don't need a data center-grade rack, but these wall-mounted racks scream 'switch-only' racks to me. What are your experiences? Is it possible to put servers in racks like these, or should I find a 'both-side-accessible' rack instead?"
Re:42U - Go Big or Go Home (Score:4, Funny)
Building a nice 'super' computer. Beowulf anyone?
Re:42U - Go Big or Go Home (Score:5, Funny)
Go Big or Go Home
But... he's already gone home!
Re:42U - Go Big or Go Home (Score:5, Funny)
Why worry about mounting anydamn expensive thing?
You're building a server room. Got 4 walls? STOP!
Measure 6 ft. from the wall. Put up a wall frame, like you were gonna sheetrock it. Space the 2"x4"s on 17 3/4" centers and use woodscrews for your new 64u rows of racks. This presumes you have 8 ft. ceilings. Got slides? Put another frame 3 ft. behind it. add fans.
Measure out another 5 or 6 ft. if you have another 11 or 12 and put in another room length row of racks. Leave one open in each for rear access. Leave two if you're fat and remove the board in the way.
This creates easy cooling methods using at least 3 halls for this scenario.
If you're in an office building or strip. you can come in on the weekend and tap your neighbors air conditioner to cool your server rooms. All you need is a ladder , some ducting, rivet gun, rivets and a cutoff wheel or tin snips. Send the cool air low to cool the computers and force the hot rising air out. Again duct this INTO your neighbors space, it will encourage them to turn up their air conditioner.
We're talking about cutting costs here friend.
You want a bonus for cutting costs? Promotion? Just save the boss money and draw up some bullshit pie chart to show him just how much. Toot your own horn.
You just set up a kickass server room with total access for replacements and room to expand Expand EXPAND. Cheap.
2x4s and wood screws. Ducting.
Re:Hinged (Score:5, Funny)
Re:42U - Go Big or Go Home (Score:5, Funny)
Re:42U - Go Big or Go Home (Score:5, Funny)
Re:42U - Go Big or Go Home (Score:5, Funny)
or if you have children - small babies and racks of IT equipment don't mix well.
Just mount the servers on top and mount a swing at the bottom.