Crumb
c/selfhosted · by Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 2y

Suggestions for Short Rack Mount Case

I have a very short equipment rack installed in my server closet. It is only 16 inches deep, fine for most networking uses, but not great for most rack-mount server cases.

I am looking for case suggestions that would fit my rack, 16 inch depth maximum. Height isn't a problem, the rack has a ton of vertical space, over 15U, it's the depth that's an issue.

Thanks!

11 points · 18 comments · view on lemmy.world

18 Comments

grue@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y (1 reply)

I've looked all over the Internet for <16" short-depth cases multiple times over the years, and I've learned the most important question is this: what do you want to put in it?

I'll tell you right now that some of the things I've wanted, like...

  • A 2U with hot-swap caddies all the way across the front (like this or this, but <16" deep at the cost of fitting only an ITX motherboard), or

  • A 4- or 5U chassis that can fit an EATX / SSI EEB (12"x13") motherboard and an ATX PSU at the same time, or

  • A chassis of any size that has both the motherboard/PCI I/O and the drive bays on the front (front drive bays are normal and you can get front access I/O, but not both at the same time)

...simply do not exist, as far as I can tell. I'm pretty sure all of these things are geometrically possible (I did the math), but apparently I'm the only one who wants such weird stuff.

You can get a basic-bitch whatever-U case that supports a mATX motherboard and hard-mounting a couple of internal drives, with sharp metal edges, a shitty plastic door, and a price double (or more) what similarly low quality would cost in a desktop form-factor all day long, though.

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 2y

Yeah, seems like there isn't a big group of folks that are looking for this kind of solution.

I've thought about designing a case to my specs that could be 3D printed or maybe be built with some very basic steel sheet, but that's more DIY than I have time for right now.

manos_de_papel@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)
[ removed ]
Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y

Thanks for the link!

towerful@programming.dev · 2 pts · 2y (2 replies)

https://g2digital.co.uk/

These guys do short depth PCs. I wish I knew where they got their cases from, because they are really nice!
But I haven't found anything decent in the wild (I eventually gave up and got a deeper rack so I can use old r730 servers)

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Thanks for the link! Yeah, I'm starting to think I might just need to give up and get a deeper floor rack.

DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org · 1 pts · 2y

There are some good short chassis like the Silverstone RM-23-502-MINI, but the minimum length for the recommended rails is still 22 inches :(

Codilingus@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Chenbro makes quite a few ATX shallow rack mount cases. I have one and have no complaints.

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y

I'll check them, Ty!

Dark_Arc@social.packetloss.gg · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09227RQV2?psc=1&amp;ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

This is my favorite rack mount chassis I've worked with ... and it coincidentally is in that ballpark.

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 2y

Interesting design, I'll look at it, thanks!

InformalTrifle@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

I’ve not used them yet but was looking at https://www.plinkusa.net/

They have a variety of heights and depths, some of them being 15”

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y

Great resource, I'll check them out.

Meuzzin@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y (4 replies)

I recently hunted for a rack mounted case for an ATX MB and PSU. The best I could find is 17.9" deep. Is your rack's rear end closed? Any way to remove the rear panel? There is a site that'll make you a custom rack mount case I came across. But it was mighty pricey.

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y (3 replies)

Back end is open but wall-mounted. If there is a way to mount the case forward a few inches so it leaves a gap in the back, that would be fine with me.

I haven't found any brackets that seem to do that though.

Meuzzin@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y

How about mounting the rack a few inches off the wall?

thejevans@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y (1 reply)
[ removed ]
Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y

Also an option I am considering. I prefer something a little more professional if possible, but not a bad option if I can't get something else to work.

I'll take a look at the 45 Drives case, thanks!

gaf@borg.chat · 2 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Sliger has a few rackmount chassis which are only 15 inches deep.

Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y

Oh nice, these might be exactly what I need, thanks!