Preparing Expandable, Custom Data Center Storage
Posted on: 19 September 2016
The standard device rack for network and data center devices isn't as standard as it used to be. The standard itself hasn't changed much and still holds a wealth of devices from established tech hardware companies, but more devices are bucking trends and delivering their own designs. If you or your building client needs a data center or tech hub for industrial or manufacturing purposes, make sure to consider these design tips to make the most of limited space, even if some things don't fit together easily.
Saving Space Can Be Difficult With Many Standards
Your biggest problem with implementing a data center or tech hub design is saving space when not all of the devices can fit in the same storage units. Although beams for server racks can be spaced out to different lengths, you'll need to acquire adapters for some devices, while others may not fit because of odd shapes.
The easiest solution is to get custom metal fabrication professionals to send a standard set of server rack beams, mounts, and assembly pieces. If your desired server room is already fitted with a raised floor, installation can begin immediately. If not, fabrication of raised floor panels isn't a difficult task to commission.
Install the server rack rails and rods to the width of the widest device. Smaller devices can be added onto shelving afterwards and are mostly stable for basic data center purposes that don't have much personnel traffic.
The problem arrives when you have a device that can't simply sit on a shelf and can't be bolted into the rails. Oblong devices or devices with odd geometry may simply lack easy binding areas, sometimes because they're designed for residential use rather than business use. That doesn't matter if they're still the best-functioning devices, and fabrication professionals can help.
Custom Storage Design Solutions
The first idea is to modify server rack shelves. You can either choose cages for devices or a compression rack that holds devices in place.
With cages, you simply place the device into a cage that can hold the device or surround as much of the devices as possible to keep it stable. This is important for data centers that have multiple personnel walking around or if the device is simply too vital to risk damage at any point.
Cages can be one-size-fits-all or designed with different slots cut for accessing specific ports, buttons, and interfaces. If you choose the compression route, you'll be using a clamping shelf that keeps devices at least more stable than a simple shelf and with the ability to use interfaces easily.
Contact a metal fabrication professional from a company like Ceramic Technology Inc. to discuss other custom metal solutions for your data center or other system design needs.
Share