3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Purchasing A Rack Mount Server
Whenever you decide to invest in certain equipment (such as a rack mount server), there are certain questions that need to be answered in a timely fashion in order to maximize your level of success and minimize the amount of stress that you experience during the selection process.
There are a variety of different methods to be used when it comes to the storage and protection of your most important items. Each rack mount server that you will have to choose from comes with a number of additional questions and by reading on to learn more, you can further educate yourself and make the best possible choice.
1. What Types of Accessories Will Be Included?
The rack mount server itself is designed to provide you with a helpful location to centralize a number of business functions, but you also need to consider the accessories that are going to be installed as well. By knowing exactly how many accessories are going to be included, you will know more about the specific dimensions that you require.
Knowing what equipment is going to be installed in the rack other than your computer is important. If you purchase a rack that is too constricting, this could lead to serious issues when it comes to the day to day usage of your rack mount server. Consider your battery backup needs, as well as your power monitoring and power strips, so that you are not placing your equipment in a position where it may be compromised.
2. Do I Have a Sound Cooling Strategy?
No matter what piece of equipment you are purchasing, you will need to thoroughly consider the cooling strategy beforehand and make the proper plans. Every cooling strategy requires its own level of containment and a rack mount server is certainly no different. Are you someone who is going to rely on ambient cooling? If so, a less populated rack is your best solution in these instances.
On the other hand, those who are installing a rack with higher density will need to consider other cooling strategies. Perhaps a fully enclosed cabinet for the computer that is being used as a server in these instances will work best. Your cable management, active heat removal and the layout of the rack all need to be considered thoroughly before you make any sort of final decisions on such matters.
3. What Are My Security Needs?
This is arguably the most important question that you need to be asking of yourself before finalizing a decision. This is not about security in a sense of protecting the information stored on your computer, it is about providing your rack mount server with the security that it needs from a physical standpoint.
Check the locks and check the load rating. The load rating is particularly pivotal, as you are going to need to make sure that the facility floor and the rack itself can both handle the total weight of your equipment. The last thing you want is to experience any sort of damage as a result of a miscalculation that could have easily been avoided.
