When shopping for a 42U server rack cabinet, you will find what might seem like a confusing array of options. Below we simplify three of the most popular options you will encounter regarding 42U server rack cabinets:

• What cabinet depth do I need?
• What type of roof panel is the best for me?
• Should the front door be made of steel or glass?

1. Go Shallow or Go Deep?

When determining the depth you need, the short answer is that you should find one that can hold your deepest component plus at least a few inches for cables to connect in the rear. But there are actually three depths to consider when choosing the best 42U enclosure for your setup: exterior, interior, and rack-rail depth.

• Exterior depth is how much floor space the server rack takes up from front to back. This is an important consideration if it will be located in a small room or a computer closet, but less relevant if you’ll be putting it in a large data center.
• Interior depth is the distance between the front vertical rack rails and the back panel of the server rack. Often this is the number used in the product description. For instance, NavePoint’s 42U cabinets are listed as having depths of 800 mm, 1000 mm, or 1200 mm.
• Rack-rail depth is the distance between the front and rear vertical rack rails. For many 42U cabinets, this distance is expressed in a range, as the two rear rack rails are adjustable − they can be moved forward or backward to accommodate devices of different depths. Typically, you will set them so they attach to the two rear rack ears of your deepest and heaviest component, such as a computer server or uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

As an example of how depths can vary in one line of 42U server rack cabinets, the following table shows the measurements of NavePoint’s line, which comprises 12 models:

All 42U cabinets offer both cooling and cable management, but one model might have features that make you prefer it over another. Consider the enclosure’s top panel, also called the roof panel. Some have a fan-compatible top and others have a cable management top.

Being able to install a bank of top-mount cooling fans in the roof panel allows you to create an updraft of air through the cabinet, which is particularly useful with the hottest installations. With fan-compatible tops, you typically remove a vented roof panel, install a bank of fans in the opening, then reinstall the vented panel over the fans. You might decide to buy a cabinet with this option and not install fans unless there is considerable heat buildup.

If having lots of cable openings in the top panel is essential to you, get a rack cabinet with a cable management top. This is a roof with several large openings that are covered with brush panels, which allow many cables to pass through but keep out dust. With this option, you can still install a bank of rack-mount cooling fans that expel hot air from the front or back of the rack, or a rack-mount fan module in the top rack space of your cabinet that essentially serves as a top-mount fan.

3. Glass Door or Perforated Door?

An important decision to make when buying a 42U server rack cabinet is whether to get one with a front door that is made of perforated steel for ventilation or made of glass. Both have their advantages.

A ventilated door offers a combination of cooling ability and strength. The perforated steel panel extends from the top of the cabinet to the bottom, providing copious air flow along its 6-foot length. With this option you can install rack-mounted fans anywhere on the front of the rack and the expelled hot air will pass through the door unimpeded.

The main advantage of a 42U rack with a glass door is that you can easily monitor your components through the glass. You can quickly view equipment status and LED indicators without having to open the cabinet. Another benefit of a glass door is noise reduction, as it dampens equipment noise better than a perforated door. A third advantage is aesthetics. Glass doors have a sleek and professional appearance, which can be important in environments where looks matter, such as client-facing areas. Fourth, though glass doors don’t offer the air flow of perforated doors, they are better at keeping out dust.

NavePoint’s 42U server rack cabinets are in stock now and available with FREE standard same-day shipping. If you have product questions or need recommendations about our 42U server rack cabinets, contact our U.S.-based team of experts at +1 (866) 392-1613 or email us.