Home Server Accommodation

[garyc]

I have a home server setup and would like to ask the people more experienced in servers about the best place to accommodate it. Unfortunately back of the cupboard is not practical.

The equipment consists of two HP Microservers, a UPS and a modem / router.

The first option I was thinking of was to put it all into a server cabinet. This will get everything out of the way. One problem is that the house gets very hot in summer and will the ventilation be enough? Also will the noise of the fans from this type of cabinet be intrusive since it will be adjacent to the living area?

Another option option might be metal shelves which will allow for better ventilation. Is there anywhere in Pretoria where these are available?

 

[paul5186]

How about a wall mounted wall box cabinet? A 9u or 12u should suffice? Scoop, miro etc. Just get a couple quiet fans from frontosa instead of the standard ones.

 

[garyc]

I have been considering a 9U or 12U unit, either wall mounted or on castors. This should be big enough to house everything.

 

[Goobie]

I have all my server stuff (micro server, CCTV pc, UPS and switch) high up on a shelf in the garage. The cctv pc is connected to an LCD monitor via homemade VGA-cat5 cable inside the house and Im controlling both computers from there using a wireless mouse and VNC. Work well for me.

 

[Freaksta]

I made a steel bracket which is mounted under the study table.

 

[garyc]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like either of the options will be viable.

 

[akescpt]

I got the dredded 'sort out this wires' speech and look. ffs. so looking into this as well. how does everyone conceal the wire mess around the router and switch?

 

[rorz0r]

I've got a cupboard at the top of the stairs which now houses microserver, ups, adsl modem/router, gigabit switch. The microserver once turned off on a blistering hot day with the cupboard closed. I haven't made any proper ventilation holes in it yet (vent to the roof). So I just leave the cupboard slightly open and wife never goes upstairs anyway.

 

[benhart]

I'm contemplating getting a cabinet for my small server and ups, probably one of these: http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php/fixed-wall-box-p-564

My server (old hp server) and ups are quite noisy, I presume the cabinet would help contain some of the noise?

What fans does the cabinet use? Normal case fans? If so, what's the easiest way to power them?