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Understanding the three (3) critical dimensions when planning a data center of any size is the size of your server cabinets.
There is nothing worse than showing up to an install, only to discover the cabinet size was under-designed. It's super important to determine if your cabinet dimensions will accommodate your equipment, power distribution, and cable management. We've outlined the three (3) critical dimensions to consider, as well as some of our common products available.
Height: Measured in rack units (U), where one 1U equals 1.75 inches (44.45 mm). A standard 42U rack provides 73.5 inches of vertical space. Other common heights include 24U and 27U (often termed half racks), as well as taller 48U and 52U racks for high-density operations. Compact wall-mounted racks as small as 1U are also available for limited spaces.
Width: The industry-standard mounting width is 19 inches, referring to the distance between mounting rails. However, the external width of racks can vary, typically ranging from 23.6 to 31.5 inches (600 to 800 mm). This distinction is crucial when determining how many racks can fit within a given floor space.
- 24 inches | Standard rack size, but limits volume of cables and is ideal for servers.
- 30 inches | Provides suitable width for a higher volume of cable management.
- 31.5 inches | Provides the best option for higher volumes of cables and large PDU mounting, ensuring plugs do not interfere with equipment.
Depth: Rack depths vary to accommodate different equipment sizes, with common depths including:
- 24 inches | Provides basic support for electronics, security systems, and audio-visual equipment.
- 32 inches | Provides depth to accommodate rack mounting power equipment and most switches.
- 36 inches | Provides depth to accommodate small pizza box servers and switches.
- 42 inches | As of the early 2000s, this became the standard depth to accommodate servers and cabling.
- 48 inches | Required to support enterprise switches and servers while leaving room for cable management and PDU mounting.
- 54 inches | New as of 2024, to accommodate super computing systems, cabling, and cooling systems often found in AI.
It's important to note that the actual usable depth is slightly less than the specified depth to allow for door clearance and cable management. Selecting a rack depth that exceeds the depth of your largest equipment ensures proper fit and facilitates maintenance. Many modern racks feature adjustable mounting rails to accommodate various equipment sizes.
When discussing the standard rack size we suggest a 42U cabinet with an overall width of 24 inches. This size, even with casters, in most cases will roll into a room with a standard size of door. This size is also common among manufactures and is cost-effective due to mass production. Some applications may require customized dimensions and Hammond offers our Specialty Solutions that meet specific operational needs.
Hammond provides a wide range of data center racks, cabinets, and enclosures, along with a complete selection of rack accessories to safeguard and support your essential IT equipment. Each Hammond server rack is engineered for peak performance, ensuring easy installation and scalability.
