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Rack Mounted PCs for the Home User?
andrewa writes "Do any folks out there have recommendations on available gear for building a small, but extendable, rack-mounted system? As a developer of software for use in contact centers I want to put together a small development system that consists of at least three PCs to create a simulated environment to test my applications in.
Why rack mounted? Well, I want to save space and only have the bare minimum systems (no need for multiple CD-ROMS, monitors, no sound-cards, just lots of memory and HD space).
I also will add to this in the future, so don't want to limit myself to just a few pcs on the system. I've scouted around a bit, but didn't see too much. I'm in the UK at the moment, but will be moving to the U.S. in about 6 months, so power requirements (although I guess most equipment has switchable voltages) is a consideration."
Seriously, laptops are great as far as size is concerned and as a bonus come with battery backup! Rackmount cases really aren't that small (atleast not the 1U type), just thin and long. A few small factor form PCs would probably work better unless you're really sure you want rackmount. Rackmounts are better left in the server room I say.
Aside from the "kewl" factor, rack mount systems for the job described will be very expensive, underpowered, incredibly noisy, and of limited expandability. This is mostly because if you're talking about saving space you pretty much have to be talking about 1U systems, which sacrifice a lot for their form factor (thinness).
What's a better plan?
I'd recommend Shuttle mini-PCs or similar (a few makes are available now). Hugely cheaper then rackmount, much quieter, better expansion (two or three internal hard drives if you don't use floopy or CDROM), and honestly SMALLER then 1U systems. Remember as thin as 1U systems are they are 19" wide (before you add the rack which adds a few more) and are typically very deap (20+ inches often). They are also much heavier then Shuttle systems. Furthermore, so long as you stay away from the mini-ITX based brands (Via, yuck!) they have every wiz-bang feature you could ask from a full size PC (duel channel DDR400, hyperthreading, USB 2.0, Gigabit lan, firewire, etc, etc) built in (see the Shuttle X in particular).
You'll have a much easier time moving three of these small boxes around (get a small carry-on suitcase) then a 4U rack case, and your ears will thank you.
My
I 100% guarantee you that the Marketing, Sales, and other "normal" guys would have turned it into a breast joke FASTER than geeks would.
On the other hand, they're easy enough to salvage. I have 2 nice full height racks with power at the bottom and 1 without, all rescued from the dumpster (well, they hadn't quite gone in yet, but were about to) from a company closing its east coast branch. Other friends have built them (although mostly for audio)
Don't worry - its just stigmata. Pass me a napkin and don't you dare tell my mother.