Did you know that projections for 2015 indicated that end users would spend more than $180 billion on cloud services? That level of demand shows a need for as many servers as the industry can handle. In order to provide the capacity of storage required by consumers, server operators need the most advanced and organized system for their servers. To do this, IT professionals use electronic cabinets or racks to vertically stack servers. There are three main electronic cabinet designs that these professionals use.
- Open Frame
This type of electronic cabinet is exactly as described. The racks inside hold servers and the frame holds the racks. There are no doors, however, just exposed server racks held up by a frame. The best use cases for this design are high traffic electronics that require many wires and electronics that don’t require consistent temperatures. - Rack Enclosures
If your servers need to be kept secure in an enclosure, but you would still like the ability to remove the walls to convert your server rack into a similar design to open frame racks, an enclosure is your best bet. Enclosures can withstand more weight, will still have some room for wires, and can be ordered in a variety of different sizes. Some have ventilation running through the walls to prevent overheating. - Wall Mounts
Quite aptly, this type of data rack is mounted to the wall. Smaller than the other two due to its mounting point, wall mounted cabinets can support less weight. Since they are smaller, though, you will be able to find a place that they can be used that isn’t in the way. Also, wall mounted racks can be either open frame or enclosed.
When deciding between these three types of electronic cabinet, always keep in mind what you plan to use it for. If your needs are more in line with storing a lightweight durable electronic and you have space to spare, your best bet is probably an open frame rack. On the flip side, if you need to store something heavy while keeping it protected from accidents, an enclosure is probably best. Either way, with the growing cloud storage economy, it is even more imperative to provide secure and organized storage for everyone.
