Server Rack for Home Use? [closed]

Solution 1:

If you don't want to spend all that money into a rack, buy tower servers instead.

But if you're still wanting to get a cheap rack, this is a 40USD one.

Ikea tables have been used for some time in hackerspaces for cheap replacements. More informations on eth0 hackerspace wiki.

Here is the "enterprise" edition from revspace, a dutch hackerspace :

(notice the club mate bottle)

Edit: Here is a side picture of my home lab rack. See my answer for more pros and cons about it.

Solution 2:

For the price of a small rack, I could buy an extra server!

But a more mordern machine. My small servers cost around 2000 USD - that is 16gb memory, desktop chip, 8 disks.

The only problem? Even small 15U racks start at $500,

Try looking at the prices for office furniture ;) THEN you get shocks.

Seriously, 1000 USD for a rack is not a lot of money. Things do not come for free in our society.

Solution 3:

I know little about US rack manufacturers, but at least here overseas (Europe), we have a couple of manufacturers serving the "low end" segment. You also always could buy an open frame (the LackRack would also fall under this definition) if you do not need the physical access restrictions of a cabinet - they are significantly cheaper than the rack cabinet models.

Solution 4:

For my servers I went to one of my local stores and purchased some of the wire shelving units similar to the following: http://www.metro.com/commercial/shelving/wire/

They are perfect if you are looking to hold a variety of case sizes. Most of my network cables are neatly velcro wrapped to the vertical poles. I've been using this for the last 4 years and it's been a great investment for my computer lab at home.

Currently in my rack
(2) UPSs
(2) PDUs
(1) Netscreen SSG20
(1) Raritan KSX-II
(2) Mini Tower systems
(1) 8 Port procurve (zip tied to hang from one of the racks)
(2) Shuttle KPCs

If I want to I can probably add two more Shuttles if I shift the racks around, and if I used the top shelf I could add two or three more mini towers. The rack I have it about 16"x24".