Choosing a rack that fits
A practical guide to specifying a rack cabinet. It covers the questions the team asks before quoting, so you can arrive with the right information.
Height, width and depth
Rack height is measured in rack units (U); one U is 44.45 mm (1.75 inches). Common cabinet heights are 42U, 45U, 47U and 52U. Count the equipment you plan to install, add space for blanking panels, cable managers and future growth, and check the room's ceiling height and door openings against the assembled cabinet height.
Standard 19-inch equipment fits both 600 mm and 800 mm wide cabinets. The wider cabinet leaves room beside the rails for vertical cable management, PDU mounting and airflow baffles. Depth should allow for the longest server plus cabling and door clearance at the rear; 1000 mm and 1200 mm depths suit most modern servers.
Load rating
Compare the static load rating with the combined weight of the equipment. Cabinets that will be moved while loaded need a rolling (dynamic) rating, which is lower than the static figure. Confirm floor loading with the building owner for heavy installations.
Doors, panels and airflow
Perforated doors support front-to-back cooling in contained aisles. Solid or glazed doors suit offices and customer-facing spaces. Lockable lift-off side panels make installation and maintenance easier, while blanking panels in unused U-spaces stop hot air recirculating.
Physical security
Where equipment must be protected beyond a standard lock, consider multi-point locking doors, co-location cabinets with separately locked bays, or a certified ventilated server safe. Caging can secure a group of cabinets without changing the cabinets themselves.
Installation access
Measure the delivery route: lift sizes, corridor widths, door heights, floor finishes and any steps. Note whether the site has a raised floor and where power and cabling enter. These details allow the team to confirm lead times and installation options when quoting.
What to send with a quotation request
- Number of cabinets and the equipment they will hold
- Preferred height, width and depth, or the space available
- Door, panel and finish preferences
- Site address, access notes and target dates
