StarTech.com 42U Open Frame Server Rack - 994.5lbs capacity - 4 Post Adjustable Depth (22" to 40") Network Equipment Rack (4POSTRACKBK)

First let me point out that although i've been a computer tech for almost 20 years, i've never owned or worked with racks, so i can't offer any kind of comparison opinion. I was upgrading my computer to a bigger case and had other rack mounted equipment, so i decided to finally make the move to rack mounting. I really shopped around. I didn't want to spend too much money on a rack but they're expensive. This rack seemed like a deal. It has plenty of unit spaces, more than i needed, but was cheaper than others with less units. The rack seems well made and sturdy. It comes with the screws to mount your equipment (about 50 screws/nuts), i didn't realize this and bought 50 also. After a few minutes of looking at the instructions the rack was easy to assemble. I made the mistake of not realizing that 2 of the 6 connecting arms were specially made to be on bottom (for mounting the bottom panels). So i had to reassemble a couple pieces to get it right. I can't imagine ever needing a second rack, but if i did, i wouldn't hesitate buying this one again. I definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a rack. I have 4 or 5 items that need to be rackmounted but don't have brackets. I stuggled to find the right brackets online. I considered making the brackets myself, but did a second search online and luckily ran across exactly what i was looking for. To help anybody who might be in the same boat, here is what i settled on, 1U mounting brackets for open post rack SA-3201 Good Luck, ScottT 06JUL2011

Nice, solid unit. With no instructions. Just a box of screws and metal and a lot of hope you can put it together by guessing. The product itself is good. If you have put together a server storage rack before, this would most likely be no problem.

Instructions were a little weak.

Amazing value for the price. Extremely sturdy. I am using mine for home theater equipment, no actual servers in a server room. So I cannot comment on how a server might fit, but for receivers, amps, etc, it works great. Very heavy duty. So heavy duty that my one complaint is how they package it for shipping. It is at my limit for lifting overhead and with all that weight, they ship items inside that are not strapped to anything. So they bounce around and break through the cardboard box. I had to return the first one as several key items broke open a hole in the box (and disappeared). The replacement one had the same problem, however, someone placed some packing tape over the hole so everything made it. At any rate, it is good looking, sturdy as heck, heavy as can be and is working well. I got the 42u. From the 'front' (thin side) the max width item you could fit through is 17-11/16" (just under 18"). The long side is adjustable. You can see in the picture that I have attached a full length ventilated shelf near the bottom. Also, in the picture, I built a custom base out of MDF for it and painted it flat black.

I bought the rack to mount two standard size Dell Servers made for a rack along with two other servers that I already have. I obtained two sets of standard size sliding rails so the Dell servers could slide out if we needed to work on them. When we attempted to install the servers we found that the width of the rack where the server was to be mounted was 17 1\2 inches. It was 1\4 inch too narrow. We called the manufacturer and they confirmed that the rack was too narrow, something that we already knew to be the case or strongly suspected it. After spending the time assembling the rack, we now are taking it apart to send it back. It appears to be the result of a bad weld due to the width not being measured properly by the manufactuer.

The rack looks very nice and is well built; assembly is not difficult, but the rack is too narrow. I was planning to move some rack-mounted machines to this rack, but I was not able to install some of them. Maybe it's an issue with tolerances, but I have never run into a 'standard 19" rack' that's so non-standard. I'd recommend going with a 44U rack from APC to avoid surprises.

I was concerned when I read a review stating that the dimensions of the rack would not support a server on rails (too narrow) since this is what I was planning to include in the rack. I contacted StarTech who assured me that it should not be a problem. I decided to take a chance and ordered it. I liked the price, the bottom shelf (where my UPS is located), and the availability of wheels (need to be ordered separately--which I did). I had no problem installing 2 Dell servers with the sliding rails. Between the Dell server rails and the rack, they went in incredibly easily. I still have some older equipment to move to it which should happen shortly. I am very pleased with this rack. Three points to note: 1) With the addition of the wheels, it is a little taller and it would not roll through some doorways. I had to tilt it to go in, but it wasn't that big a deal. 2) The shipping weight is 114 lbs which caused a shipping problem for the vendor. This was not the fault of the rack, but rather the vendor not having a clue. You might need to allow for extra delivery time. 3) The assembly instructions are sketchy. It took some additional time to figure things out, but overall it wasn't too difficult to assemble.

This rack is a monster! Can't come VIA UPS with its 105+lb. weight, but the truck freight was a good experience. A good company delivered, that's a plus! Rack box demolished, lots of empty space inside to get punched through. Inspected the rack for damage, NOT A SCRATCH! Coating (Powder Coat?) heavy and thick. Rack is well constructed. A couple of the bolt threaded mounts did loosen and spin on assembly, but nothing that a screwdriver used as a wedge didn't cure. Overall I thought easy to assemble. Very adjustable. Solid construction. Plenty of nuts and bolts for cases, shelves, ETC. provided.

I looked for a long time, and I couldn't find a rack for the office that wasn't way over priced. This unit was not only a very good price but works perfectly. I read reviews stating that the dimensions of the rack was too narrow and would not support a server on rails, however everything I have tried fit as designed. I installed 3 Dell sc1425 servers (1u with oem dell rails), Thecus NAS RAID (2u Thecus rails), as well as 2 Servers (2u with universal rails) I have 4 APC 1500va UPS's set on the base, 3x24 port switches, 2 x shelfs, 2x24 RJ45 patch panels. I mounted the unit on wheels (bolt spaceing means you need to buy OEM) as I need to move the unit around for access. This makes the rack appear a like tippy but it is not going anywhere. It includes everything you need, as well as screws to mount your equipment. The assembly instructions are a was of time as they say nothing. There are 6 support bars that run front to back 4 of them are the same and go in the top and mid section, the 2 with built in nuts go on the bottom. The Rack weights 50 plus kilos so is best if 2 people move it. (UPS sent the smallest guy they could find to deliver it) The bottom (shelf?) is a little iffy not quite sure how it was to fit and doesn't really support much. It took some additional time to figure things out, but overall it wasn't too difficult to assemble. It did cleanup and organize the server room.

Man, you can't beat the price on this one, and it's sturdy as hell. I've got 700+ TB sitting in one right now along with a giant network switch, and I'm happy as can be with it. :D No idea what some of the comments saying that it's non-standard size, all my storage servers and network equipment fit into it without a problem.

Bought those for years now. 100+ installed and never failed on us.