Rolling Racks

[HCHTech]

I have a customer with 2, 2U physical servers in what is probably a 14 or 16U rolling rack (I didn't count exactly) that is about 32" deep. The servers are mounted at the top of the rack and the cabling all goes up to a 12U wall-mounted rack where the patch panels and all of the networking equipment is.

There isn't really room to re-configure this without redesigning the entire small server room, and it works well enough save for one thing: You can't slide a server out to work on it without tipping over the rack. This is one of those things that you would think whoever designed the setup in the first place would have thought of, but whatever, I'm stuck with it now.

The Macgyver solution I'm thinking of is to make a floor for the rack out of a sheet of metal or plywood and put the two APC 2200 UPS units they have (currently standing next to the rack) in there sideways. This will give the thing 120# of ballast that will keep it from tipping when you slide out one of the servers - it's just an open frame anyway, so I don't think there will be any thermal effect. The UPS' don't have any side venting, so I don't think it will hurt them either.

What do you think?

 

[Blues]

Sounds about like the best solution and something I probably would have done myself in an old server room I worked in. We had such a rigged server room it had fans mounted on walls pointed at the server racks and no ventilation we actually had to keep the door to the server room open to control temps until we got management to put some AC units in the room which they didn't vent so we had to get them to vent the units. I really don't miss that management I shouldn't have to fight to keep the operational backbone from failing. So many memories of rigged up and senseless things in general. Maybe I should put up a story in TEO on some of that.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Not sure why you need to MacGyver a solution when they make rack shelves. I also don't understand why you can't move the servers further down the rack. You can rent rack lifts if you need one.

 

[mikeroq]

I don't know what model your UPS is but I'm assuming it's not a convertible model to rackmount. But yea I would just buy a rack shelf that would support the weight. Better than rigging something up.

Better solution would be to lower the servers like @nlinecomputers said.

Now depending on the age maybe it's time for a new UPS you could get a rack model to replace it. Personally I only spec rackmount UPS when a customer has a rack or is getting a rack.

 

[HCHTech]

I also don't understand why you can't move the servers further down the rack. You can rent rack lifts if you need one.

I could definitely move the servers down to the bottom of the rack, but that would make them 6" off the floor when they're out, but I'd bet they would still tip the rack then - it's just that it would have far to tip that way. I guess I'd rather sit in a chair than lie on the carpet to work on them- ha. I only pull them out for quarterly maintenance or if something needs replaced, but it's a pain.

I suppose something like this is the type of pre-made shelf I would need. I'll have to do a bit more looking to see if I can find a fixed one.

 

[Blues]

I thought about suggesting lowering the mount position but I kind of thought this would have already been considered and if so I suspect an issue such as cable length and/or limited windows for down time being a major factor.

 

[mikeroq]

150lbs

1U 108 Fixed Shelf 24in Depth

Fixed Shelf for Any Equipment Works great for towers, printers, or desktops US Steel shelf construction Includes anti-slip mat 2Post flush or center mount Alternative to rails for servers that are not rack mountable Fits Any 2Post, 4Post Rack Capacity: 150 lbs (68 kgs) Fits square, round...

www.racksolutions.com

500lbs or 900lbs

2U Fixed Heavy Duty Rack Shelf

Mount 500 lb to 900 lb on a single shelf Supports the even the heaviest equipment Made from Thick 1/8" steel Great for equipment like printers, UPS or tower servers Adjustable mounting brackets Compatible with 2 Post and 4 Post Racks Weight Capacity 1USHL-116: 500 lbs (226 kgs) 108-0991: 900...

www.racksolutions.com

 

[nlinecomputers]

APC also makes rack shelves.

Adjustable Shelf 250lbs 16

AR8125 - Adjustable Shelf 250lbs 16

www.apc.com

 

[timeshifter]

I would feel uncomfortable putting UPSs on their side. I suppose the batteries are sealed but I can't help but think about pouring distilled water into old car batteries. I guess I'm a little old.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I would feel uncomfortable putting UPSs on their side. I suppose the batteries are sealed but I can't help but think about pouring distilled water into old car batteries. I guess I'm a little old.

Im not sure why you’d need to. An APC SmartUPS 2200 is about 8 in wide. He should be able to place them side by side, with a couple of inches between them.

 

[SAFCasper]

Turn one of the servers around so it slides out the back. Now you can slide out both servers at the same time like aeroplane wings balancing each other out.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Lots of solutions...
*Lower heavy components to make the cabinet less tippy
*Purchase shelving to add heavy components down low
*You can purchase stabilizer kits to bolt to the cabinet...and they spread out on the floor to "widen the stance"....make it really impossible to tip. Even bolt to the floor. Tripp lite makes some.