Like every industry, the business of server racks comes with its own language and jargon. The more you know the commonly used terms, the easier it will be to make smart purchasing decisions for first-time buying and expansion plans—from small offices to large data centers and from small cabinets to wall racks.
Here’s a primer on the ABCs of server racks:
- BIOMETRICS: Also known as a fingerprint ID, biometrics are used as a reinforcement security measure to provide or bar access to equipment.
- CABINET: A fully enclosed server rack with sides, doors, and a top.
- CAGE NUT: A nut with a spring clip that fits into the square holes of a vertical mounting rail used to fasten IT equipment to the rack.
- CERTIFICATIONS for computer racks and cabinets:
- PCI compliant: Meets industry standards regarding the security of credit card information and data. (PCI Data Security Standard)
- HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the federal requirement which protects patient privacy and health records.
- Seismic Zone 4 Rating: Meets installation requirements in earthquake-affected areas.
- BAA/TAA: Buy American Act and the Trade Agreement Act. These laws require many governmental and institutional buyers to purchase U.S.-made products.
- UL Listed: Tested and meets stringent quality standards of Underwriters Laboratories.
- EIA STANDARD: This refers to the pattern of holes that has been adopted by the IT industry—5/8”, 5/8”, 1/2” (and then the pattern repeats). The holes are on the vertical mounting rails or telco racks and support standard-sized equipment.
- FULLY WELDED FRAME: The rack frame is welded into a permanent, single uni-body structure. It is much sturdier than a rack that is shipped knocked-down and then simply bolted together.
- HEAT DISSAPATION: The use of perforated doors and fans to increase cooling airflow and expel damaging heat build-up.
- KVM: Keyboard, Video monitor and Mouse. An abbreviation for an all-in-one IT switching device that enables the operation of multiple computers by this single device.
- 19” RACK MOUNT: Equipment that has a face plate 19” wide; it also refers to racks and cabinets that can accommodate such equipment.
- OPEN RACK: This refers to an open 2-post or 4-post frame that is not completely closed (i.e., not a cabinet or enclosure).
- RAILS: The vertical uprights provided in pairs (usually one pair in front and one pair in the rear) for a 4-Post Rack or Cabinet. The rails are either tapped (threaded) or have square holes for cage nuts, and often are fully adjustable front-to-rear to allow proper support for equipment of various depths.
- SERVER RACK: Or 4-post Racks or Computer Racks (all interchangeable terms). A Server Rack with four vertical upright rails that supports IT equipment at the front and rear of the rack, which can be either open or enclosed.
- 2-POST RACK: These have two vertical uprights that support IT equipment, typically used for telecom and small setups. They are open structures and have tapped (threaded) holes on EIA spacing. Also referred to as a Telco Rack or Relay Rack.
- “U”: A unit of height equal to 1.75”, also known as a Rack Unit or Rack Mount Unit. This standard measurement refers to the vertical height of such IT equipment or the usable height of a rack or a cabinet.
If you have questions about any of these terms or would like a personal evaluation of your server rack needs, visit our website, www.techrack.com, or contact us at sales@techrack.com or 888-266-3577.
