Ask Slashdot: Building A Server Rack Into a New Home?

jawtheshark writes "I'm building a house, and obviously I want a modest network built-in. Nothing fancy, two RJ-45 per room, four in the living room, and that's basically it. I already got myself a rack mountable Cisco Small Business switch and I have a self-built 4U server (low-power, won't make much heat) which can be rack mounted (505mm deep). Now, the construction company suggests a wall mounted rack (6U: 340mm x 600mm x 480mm — 6U definitely won't be enough, but a 12U model exists). It's not expensive, but I have never worked on a rack where the backside is unreachable. (For work, I get to work in a data center with huge racks that are accessible from both sides). Now obviously, I don't need a data center-grade rack, but these wall-mounted racks scream 'switch-only' racks to me. What are your experiences? Is it possible to put servers in racks like these, or should I find a 'both-side-accessible' rack instead?"

Comments

Re:two RJ-45 per room

[bigredradio]

It's a home network! If you really need professional grade, get space at a colo. It amazes me how people get all into being superior with their computers at home, but forget about not having redundant power, redundant networking, locked cages. I bet this guys biggest computer issues with his "home server" won't be the speed of the network or the CPU power. It will be keeping the cat from sleeping on it or keeping Cheerios out of the USB slots.