Looking for Server Rack

**Bolkonsky** · July 20, 2011, 07:26 AM

Decent would be preferable, as well as for around $120 or less... I don't have a ton to drop on this. 4U would be sweet, if possible, though I'll only be using 2, it can't be too large or it won't fit in the space I have. Any suggestions?

EDIT: In case it matters, it's an Apple Xserve server.

**GrnEyedDvl** · July 20, 2011, 10:13 AM

Craiglist, I find them all the time on there, though not usually that small.

The problem with 4U racks is that they are generally used for switches and stuff like that, they probably wont be deep enough for any decent server.

If you need something now, and its not going to be in a rough environment, then there are some fairly cheap rack systems made by Raxxess that are metal frames covered with wood. They have various depths. but I think the max depth on the 4-8U racks is 16 inches. They do make a skeleton rack that comes in 12U with depths up to 36 inches though.

**Bolkonsky** · July 20, 2011, 05:47 PM

Actually, I never even thought about the length. It's pretty stinking huge. The main issue here is that it's on a slab of concrete tucked away in the basement of a building here (-_-) so I'd like to get it off the ground where it's damp, and move it somewhere cleaner and dryer. A 12U may work. Thanks for the link, I'll look into it. (And I'll check CraigsList)

**Bolkonsky** · July 27, 2011, 12:54 PM

OK so major change of plans with this.

Basically the organization that wanted me to revamp this and get it running (which I did) no longer has a need for it since it's too outdated to actually do anything effectively. So they wanted to sell it, but there was no market, so I offered them $80 so I could use it as a personal machine. (I didn't think it was a bad price, to be honest.)

Anyways, a server rack might have been in their budget, but it's not in mine now. So I've got a couple of questions:

Is it normal for the fans to run at max all the time? This thing sounds like it's gonna explode.
What's TWC running for an OS? Is it Ubuntu?

I know there's a link somewhere to the TWC specs, but I can't find it.

**GrnEyedDvl** · July 27, 2011, 02:54 PM

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Fans on the actual server? Probably a BIOS setting there someplace, though who knows with Apple. The TWC servers run full blast 6000 rpm 24/7 and have been doing so for almost 3 years now. thor sounds like a tornado, though not as quiet.

**Freddie** · July 29, 2011, 04:47 PM

You might want to have a look out for a Dell purpose built rack on Craigslist or Ebay. My last employer had one and we got it free when we bought a load of servers from a Dell distributor, at 5' tall it held 6 servers, a large switch and a massive UPS with room left over. The only issue I had was the built quality wasn't that great and the front door wouldn't shut and the metal was a bit then so in some places it bent out of place.

**Bolkonsky** · July 31, 2011, 01:57 PM

Yeah, I found a dell one for $25 on Craigslist, I emailed the guy asking him about the specs. I don't need the highest quality or anything.

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

Thanks, I will install that on it most likely then. I always wanted to learn it but never had a stable machine.

Fans on the actual server? Probably a BIOS setting there someplace, though who knows with Apple. The TWC servers run full blast 6000 rpm 24/7 and have been doing so for almost 3 years now. thor sounds like a tornado, though not as quiet.

So it's usual for them to be loud then? That's good. I've never really worked with professional hardware before.