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Wall-Mounting 1U Devices Without a Rack?
c640180 asks: "I need to figure out a way to mount a 1U enclosure in a small closet that doesn't have a relay rack or anything similar. Is there such a thing as a set of right angle brackets that would provide me with 19" wide screw holes so that I could mount the device vertically (so that the screws would be pointing down)? how do other folks who don't have real network closets mount real networking hardware?"
Stop stealing stuff from work. There's a reason why there's consumer-level equipment. Hint: It fits on the wall.
I'm sure your local building center could help you out. Alternatively, you may wish to contact a music store. They may be able to point you at a used 19" "road case" which is often appropriate.
One caveat. If you plan to mount your device with the front panel facing up as you describe, monitor the temperature of the unit for the first little while. 1U devices are often passively cooled and may require the correct orientation in order to work properly.
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How about a shelf? Where I used to work we installed all the systems in our datacenters on shelves rather than screwing them directly into the racks simply because it saved time when it was necessary to get into thos systems or to move/replace them. No reason why you couldn't just stik it on a shelf in your closet. If you don't have an appropriate one already there, a 2x4 and a piece of plywood or MDF should do nicely as the raw materials to make your own.
Think long and hard before you start running an electrical device 24X7 in a wooden closet that hasn't been fire-proofed.
That said, DataTel/MiddleAtlantic has a nice, affordable series of wall mount racks [the "WM" series]:
Syndat, out of Oklahoma, is a retailer who will mail them to you [the "WM" series isn't listed on their website, but they do carry it - ask a salesman]:Rack mounted equipment will be designed to work horizontally, and often on the limits of heat dissipation (because everything is packed in tight).
If you turn things sideways, the convection currents that the manufacturer allowed for in the design will flow the wrong way and may not provide enough cooling.
For most things you can probably fix this by adding another fan or three, but if you have a CPU that is cooled by a heat pipe setup, it will not work at all. Heat pipes must be the correct way round to work at all, otherwise you will kill your expensive server CPU quite quickly.
Also, consider things like tray loading CD-ROM drives, which may be inconvenient to use the wrong way round, though you probably don't plan on using it very much.
Hope this helps.
Why not build your own rack out of a couple of 2x4's?
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I submitted this to Ask Slashdot earlier, it's been accepted but not posted yet:
I have these small devices holding my computer case on. Basically they are small pegs made out of metal, with a small cap or "head" on top. The cap has a small indention that looks like a plus (+) sign. It appears you are supposed to rotate them to extract them and remove the case. My question is, is there a tool of some sort to extract these metal pegs? TIA.
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
Most rackmount brackets I've seen will allow you to unscrew and rotate them 90 degrees so you can mount the device flush to the wall. If you can't do that, run down to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a couple of 90 degree angle brackets. Attach them to the wall spaced properly, hang the equipment on them, and screw it down. If stud spacing doesn't allow the proper spacing, attach a strip of wood to the studs then attach the brackets to the wood.
Just search Google, and you'll find a ton. I've used both an SPM2 (2U Sideways Panel Mount), and an SPM4 (4U).
You can use them to mount facing up or sideways, but I prefer sideways, as it's usually easier to read the displays.
Here are a few:
http://www.rackmountsolutions.net/WM_SPM.asp
http://www.middleatlantic.com/dcm/wall/spm.htm
Here, here, and here. There may be others but that was my quick search of Slashdot. Several good DIY solutions in there.
Damn those are big screws!
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A Howto Here
small wall mounted rack
You probably won't find a cheaper price than that, either.
Cheers
'Nuff said
If if you have a university in your area, contact both their compsci and IT departments. Sometimes they are not that pretty, but they just sit in my basement and a closet of my computer room anyway.
Take a look at the mounting brackets included with your kit, if any, along with the screwholes on the sides of the case. Sometimes, 1U-size devices are designed so that all you have to do is change where you place the brackets relative to the enclosure. E.g., Cisco 1U-size routers like the 2500 and 2600 series include mounting brackets that can also be used as wall-mounting straps, and is well documented in the installation manuals. Also, as noted above, you should note the ventilation characteristics of your hardware; if it has a fan, make sure that the exhaust points up (also noted in Cisco's documentation).
This might help.
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Why is this an Ask Slasdot question? A simple google search will give you what you need.
You can easily buy a free standing rack that will support several units worth of servers. It looks like two large 'L' brackets joined at the base with a cross-piece and is tilted backwards to help support the weight.
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Could you imagine mental midgets like G.W. Bush and Hillary Clinton debating him in a presidential debate on national TV? I'd pay to see that!
Could you also imagine the huge bricks the Arabs would shit if they had to deal with him? I can assure you, if he was President, Sept. 11 would NOT have happened.
Since music gear also uses standard 19" racks, a big music store will have all sorts of stuff you can probably adapt. If you search for "rack rails" on musician's friend's site above, there are all sorts of products. You can also find open frame rack kits, desktop rackmounts, etc. All you have to do is figure out how to mount them.
Just go to Home Depot or Lowe's and make your own.
Just go in to work and explain that the existing racks are not supported by WindowsXP. They will buy new racks and you can *cough* dispose of the obsolete ones.
Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
Since you seem to be incapable of sawing a 2x4 into a 20" wide chunk, buying two standard angle brackets for a few cents each, and screwing it together like a real man....
I suggest lots of duct tape.
What's happening to survival skills anyway. Any person with half a clue should be able to work up some decent bracketry. I build what I need all the time. I'm almost done with a workbench I need; portable, legs store underneath and it rolls on casters, with a storage space inside, power supply, lighting, etc.,.
When you go buy your duct tape, glance into the hardware section and notice various things called "saws" and "hammers" and "drills". They are your friends. Use them.
...
I just bought some book shelf brackets yesterday - they could be used to hold 1U or even 2U rackmount kit safely. Cost me under £10 for two wall mounts and the brackets.
Depends on what kit you want to mount of course - I cant see a fridge working well on it's side
hardware straping material is a roll of steel tape with holes in it. screw it into two studs nearest 19 inches apart, and leave enough hangdown to swing out or in to the correct spacing. A 1/4 twist lines them up on the screwholes on the front of the unit. Tools required - screwdriver and soemthing to cut the strap (hands work - flex at a bolthole until it breaks). Total cost, sstraps and lag screws (i assume you already have the machine screws to go into the unit) - $1.5 US.
One caveat: some equipment has fans at the back, blowing out. Hanging down, convection will be fighting this action. You might want to cut and reverse the wires to the fans, if that's the case. Oh, and make sure the heat doesn't stay in that closet, or you are likely to lose the system, and maybe much more.
ductape.. lots of ductape
This looks like what you've described:
Flushmount Wall Bracket
Cost: $64.95