Think you’re ready to pick out a rack for your IT equipment? You might not be if you don’t understand the different products on the market. To help you make an informed decision, we wrote this blog that details the difference between 2-post racks and 4-post racks. As a bonus, we will discuss wallmount frames and brackets and their benefits. Let’s start by explaining 2-post racks.
Freestanding 2-post racks are also known as telco racks or relay racks. They are commonly used to mount light IT equipment, such as punch down panels and switches. These racks have a frame with two vertical upright rails equipped with M6 or tapped rail holes to mount equipment. Most users bolt them to the floor to increase stability. Below are the reasons end users choose 2-post racks:
So how does a 4-post rack differ from a 2-post rack? Besides the obvious difference in the number of posts, 4-post racks are made to carry heavier IT equipment, such as full servers, large routers and switches. They feature a frame with four vertical upright rails, often with adjustable depth to work with a variety of IT equipment. Here are the main reasons end users choose 4-post racks:
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Now that you have a good understanding of 2-post and 4-post racks, we are going to detail some other useful tools for storing IT equipment: wallmount frames and brackets.
Wallmount frames and brackets are used in smaller installations where network equipment (small switches, access points or patch panels) needs to be stored. They are also often found on test benches for temporary installation. And, as expected, here’s a list of their other benefits:
But that’s not all. Wallmount frames up to 25RU can hold 19-inch equipment that weighs 75 pounds (34 kilograms). They provide an extremely stable design with four steel-made uprights. They also boast quick-release pins that allow the rack to swing open easily and give simple rear access for punching down cable or troubleshooting any issues you may have.
A variation of typical wallmount brackets are flushmount wall brackets. These brackets are the best option for installations with limited space, as they allow you to vertically mount equipment against a wall. They offer tapped rail holes to accommodate 19-inch equipment in 3U or 6U high rack space.
You need to consider the space in your data center, the amount and type of IT equipment you want to store, your budget and future storage requirements before purchasing a rack. Browse our wide range of racks or contact us now to find the perfect product
for your application.
Shop our entire line of wallmount racks today!
Schedule a call with a Black Box expert or email us at info@blackbox.com.
