One of the most important considerations when shopping for a cabinet to hold your rack-mount computer networking equipment is depth. How deep should your server cabinet be?

If you choose the deepest cabinet available − with, say, just under 38 inches of interior depth – you know it will hold any components you have now and might have in the future. However, its big footprint will limit where you can locate it. A small cabinet, on the other hand, will fit just about anywhere, but it might not be deep enough for your current or future needs.

For many buyers, the solution is to go with a mid-depth server cabinet. Mid-depth cabinets are big enough to accommodate most of your networking gear but much easier to fit into a room’s floor plan. They might not solve all your cabinet needs but for many users they prove to be the best of both worlds.

Of course, “mid-depth” is a subjective term but in this case we mean cabinets that will hold equipment that is up to 30 inches deep. That falls between NavePoint’s 42U line that holds depths up to 47 inches, and our mountable wall cabinets, which come in space-saving depths down to 12 inches.

Below we discuss how you might use mid-depth cabinets, and their benefits and limitations.

Applications for Mid-Depth Server Cabinets

Mid-size enclosures are ideal for at least two key applications:

• Smaller centralized server installations such as those used for SOHO (small office, home office) networks. These smaller networks provide a combination of wired and wireless connectivity for routers, desktop computers, laptops, printers, scanners, smartphones, tablets, and network-attached storage devices.
• Distributed LAN/WAN (local area network/wide area network) topologies that require cabinets in remote or secondary locations with network equipment closer to the end user. This type of network architecture spans multiple locations or sites, where each location has its own LAN and connects to a WAN. This topology is commonly used in organizations with multiple branches or offices that need to connect and communicate with one another.

Benefits of Mid-Depth Server Cabinets

• Versatility: A big advantage of mid-depth cabinets, especially ones with adjustable rack-rail depth, is that they can hold so many types of components. These include computer servers; networking equipment such as switches, routers, and modems; storage components such as network-attached storage (NAS) devices, storage area network (SAN) equipment, or direct-attached storage (DAS) devices; and more.
• Flexible Capacity: NavePoint’s mid-depth server cabinets hold any 19-inch rack-mount equipment that is up to 30 inches deep. Mounting rails adjust in quarter-inch increments to accommodate equipment depths down to 3 inches.
• Mobility: Each of our mid-depth cabinets has caster wheels for maneuverability as well as retractable leveling feet to stabilize the unit once it is in place.
• Ventilation: Our mid-depth enclosures have not just vents but large perforated panels on the front, back, and sides, and two fan slots on top if you want to install more cooling.
• Security: We offer anti-theft locks on the front door, rear panel, and both sides.
• Accessibility: Our models have doors on the front and back, removable side panels, and caster wheels to position the cabinet for easier access.
• Ruggedness: NavePoint’s mid-depth cabinets hold 1,000 pounds of gear and are made of cold-rolled steel with a powder-coated finish.
• Two Colors: Our mid-depth line is offered in a traditional black finish or the new bright white. The white models are sought for their improved visibility, cleaner and more modern aesthetic, and potential benefits in temperature regulation.

Limitations of Mid-Depth Server Cabinets

Mid-size cabinets may not be sufficient for businesses that require significant expansion or have rapidly growing IT needs. In such cases, larger cabinets with more depth might be the way to go.

With an external depth of about 33 inches, NavePoint’s mid-size line might also be too deep for some spaces. In addition, our three mid-size options of 12U, 18U, and 24U are not as extensive as our other cabinet lines, which range from 2U to 22U for our wall cabinets, to up to 42U for our audio/video cabinets and 42U server racks.

NavePoint’s Line of Mid-Depth Server Cabinets

NavePoint’s mid-depth cabinets are in-stock and available with FREE standard same-day shipping. They are part of our huge selection of racks and cabinets, which include wall cabinets, audio/video cabinets, 42U cabinets, charging cabinets, wall-mount racks, two-post racks, and four-post racks.

Questions? Need recommendations? Contact our U.S.-based team of experts at 1-866-312-5401 or email us at sales@navepoint.com.