Contact UsTo oversimplify their functions, racks and cabinets are the shelves on which server and networking equipment is stored. Because servers and networks are critical to today’s business, and because of their unique operating requirements, Canovate Electronics server and network racks and cabinets are themselves hi-tech pieces of equipment that are engineered and tested for performance and quality.
The two main considerations in selecting a rack or cabinet are heat mitigation and cable organization. Servers tend to generate more heat than networks – and often will generate so much heat that it’s dangerous for the equipment if they aren’t properly cooled. Networks, on the other hand, tend to have greater needs for cable management at both the front and rear of the cabinet.
This isn’t to say that servers don’t need cable management or that networks don’t need heat mitigation. They do – and there are tradeoffs in the different designs that must be considered when selecting the right equipment for your servers and networks.
INDOOR RACKS & CABINETS HAVE THREE MAIN DESIGNS:
- Server Rack Cabinet: Server cabinets are enclosed with doors and side panels that are perforated to allow for sufficient airflow and cooling. Cabinets provide an extra layer of security from theft, damage, dust, and other contaminants.
- Network Rack Cabinet: Network cabinets designed for high-density systems offer excellent heat mitigation. However, the network’s primary need is professional cable management. As with server cabinets, networks cabinets are more secure and safe from damage than network racks.
- Open Frame Racks: Most server racks lack side panels or doors. Instead, they are open on all four sides, with a relatively exposed chassis. This design maximizes the access to the equipment, the airflow, and the potential to keep the equipment cool, but at the tradeoff of losing security.
Another benefit that indoor cabinets have over racks is aesthetics. If the equipment is kept in an open office area, then most clients don’t prefer the exposed look of racks. Especially when housekeeping isn’t done regularly, the exposed cables, connections, and cooling fans can be both unsightly and noisy.
SERVER ROOM FOOTPRINTS AND INDOOR/OUTDOOR CONCERNS
Aside from heat mitigation, cable management, and security, another primary concern when installing or upgrading servers and networks is the available space where the systems will be installed.
Canovate Electronics has engineered and produces a range of cabinets and racks to accommodate any layout, including:
- Floor standing rack cabinets
- Wallmount cabinets
- Outdoor cabinets
- Open frame racks
- Seismic rack cabinets
- ETSI ODF rack
POWER DISTRIBUTION AND ACCESSORIES
Power management in data centers and networks are critical considerations in planning and integration. The operational costs of a server, over its lifetime, is approximately four times greater than the cost of the server itself, and on a yearly basis operational costs are 8% of many companies’ IT budget. Moreover, the costs of energy are increasing, as is the need for environmentally friendly answers.
Canovate Electronics has a range of power solutions, including our:
- Basic Power Distribution Unit (PDU): When CapEx is the primary concern, basic power distribution units offer cost savings over other, more hi-tech options. They’re designed to provide standard electrical outlets for data center equipment.
- IP PDU: IP PDUs are designed to provide power to data center equipment, as well as to monitor energy consumption, improve productivity, indicate under-used resources, and even help monitor environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
- Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): An ATS is the bridge to providing uninterrupted power. Should the primary energy source fail – from a power outage, for example – the ATS will automatically transfer to a backup source, such as a generator.
Canovate also supplies server and network accessories, including shelves, drawers, fan modules, stabilizers, cable management solutions, and more.