Hello fellow Homelabbers,
I am in the process of setting up my first homelab and taking my first steps in self-hosting. I got an old pc as a gift from a friend and I want to convert it together with my old pc into 2 2U servers.
But first of all I need an enclosure where these servers and the rest of my equipment can go in. Since this homelab will be located in my flat for the time being, I don’t have a particularly large amount of space for it. I think a size of 15 to 22U would be perfect, also in terms of long-term upgrades.
I have looked around on my local online marketplaces but I am not sure what I should really focus. Since this purchase will literally be the foundation of my future upgrades, I don’t want to rush into anything and would like to ask you homelab veterans for some advice.
Thanks in advance.
If you’ve got rack mountable PC cases and network hardware you may want to try a “LACK rack” made from IKEA LACK tables https://boingboing.net/2020/08/14/lack-rack-ikeas-cheapest-ta.html
You could go with a used Ikea PAX. that’s what I did.
I went on facebook marketplace and bought a pretty beefy decommissioned half-size rack. I think it’s about 18U or 20U. It’s even got wheels and came with a patch panel. I think I paid like $80 for it. Also bought a 1500VA rack-mount UPS from the same guy on the same trip.
The thing’s been a dream. I mean… apart from having to run to a harbor freight to buy a drill so I could drill out a few rivets and disassemble it to fit it into the back of my mazda because my truck was out of commission.
My advice though, is to make sure your rack is built for what you’re putting on it. Don’t use a two-post, non-floor-mounted rack for a heavy-ass UPS and servers, for instance. Likewise don’t use one of those wall-mounted network gear racks for heavy equipment. Get a 4-post or cabinet style rack. Check your local marketplaces. Be ready to make a drive if you need to. I drove 4 hours to go pick up the UPS and rack because it was perfect and a great deal.
Looks awesome. Yeah I’m definitely looking for a cabinet with weels. I need to move it sometimes so this is definitely a must. But thank you for all those tips!
Whichever rack you do get, try to get one with square holes. That said, pre-threaded holes aren’t common for server racks, so they should be easy to identify and avoid. I say to prefer square holes because it is preferable to replace a removable cage nut (eg M6-1.0 size) than to repair and retap a stripped hole in the rack.
