If you are considering buying a standard-width 19-inch rack to hold electronic components, there are hundreds of options, so let’s narrow them down by answering two questions.

• First, do you want an open-frame rack or an enclosed cabinet with locking doors? If you need help with that decision, check out this blog post.
• Second, if you opt for an open-frame rack, do you want one with two posts or four posts? We cover that topic in this blog post.

If you are interested in an open-frame four-post rack, you’re not alone. Their combination of high capacity, cooling ability, convenient access, and reasonable cost make them extremely popular. Below we discuss what we believe are the top 10 benefits of four-post racks. We conclude with a summary of the features of NavePoint’s more than two dozen four-post racks.

10 Benefits of ‘4 on the Floor’

An open-frame four-post rack, also known as a 19-inch equipment rack, offers at least 10 advantages over enclosed cabinets and two-post racks:

• Improved Airflow and Cooling: Open-frame racks provide excellent airflow around and through the equipment. This is particularly important for electronic components that generate heat during operation. Enhanced cooling helps prevent overheating and ensures the reliability and longevity of sensitive equipment.
• Accessibility: Open-frame racks offer easy access to the front and rear of the equipment. Technicians can quickly install, maintain, or replace components without the need to remove them from the rack. This accessibility reduces downtime and simplifies maintenance tasks. Four-post racks are accessible but offer more protection to components than do two-post racks.
• Flexibility: Four-post racks offer flexibility in terms of mounting options. You can adjust the depth of the equipment and add or remove rack shelves, rack drawers, brackets, and other rack accessories as needed. This adaptability allows you to accommodate a wide range of electronic components, including servers, switches, patch panels, and more.
• Cable Management: Open-frame racks easily accommodate cable management devices such as lacing bars, lacing shelves, D-rings, and raceways to help organize and secure cables. This prevents cable clutter and makes it easier to trace and troubleshoot connectivity issues.
• Cost-Efficiency: Open-frame racks are generally more cost-effective than enclosed cabinets. They are a budget-friendly choice for organizations looking to save on infrastructure costs while still providing adequate protection and accessibility for their equipment.
• Visibility: With an open-frame design, you have a clear view of all your equipment and cables. This visibility simplifies monitoring and troubleshooting tasks, as you can easily identify any issues or errors.
• Weight Capacity: Four-post racks are typically designed to support heavy equipment. The sturdy construction and four vertical posts distribute the weight evenly, ensuring that the rack can safely hold heavier servers and other devices.
• Scalability: Open-frame racks are well-suited for environments where equipment needs to be added or reconfigured frequently. They allow for easy expansion and rearrangement of components as your infrastructure requirements change over time.
• Easier Installation: Setting up equipment in an open-frame rack is often easier and faster compared to enclosed cabinets, which may require additional steps like mounting rails and doors.
• Rack PDU Integration: Power distribution units (PDUs) can be easily mounted within open-frame racks to provide power to all the connected equipment, offering a clean and organized power distribution solution.

NavePoint’s Line of Open-Frame 4-Post Racks

We offer a wide selection of open-frame four-post racks with up to 45U of capacity in a design that makes changing out components and accessing cables a breeze. For flexibility, some of the models have adjustable depths to support both deep and shallow components.

Key Features:

• Enough Rack Spaces − Choose from eight rack sizes, from 9U to 45U.
• Enough Depth − All have adjustable depths – some from 2.5 to 22.6 inches in 1.5-inch increments and others from 22 to 40 inches.
• Enough Strength – Made of cold-rolled steel, the vast majority hold at least 800 pounds and half hold at least 1,300 pounds.
• Easy to Move – Some models come with caster wheels.
• Added Protection – Combining the benefits of open design with more protection, three models are open in the back but have solid side panels.

Our four-post racks are in stock now and available with FREE standard same-day shipping. If you have product questions or need recommendations, contact our U.S.-based team of experts at +1 (866) 312-5401 or email us at sales@navepoint.com.