Top Special Features to Look for in a 4-Post Rack

At first glance, it might seem that every 4-post rack you see looks like all the others, with the only differences being height and depth. But if you’d like a 4-post rack with one or more special features to enhance its functionality and make your life easier, read on. 

Key Takeaways 

• A 4-post rack is ideal for enterprises needing high stability, scalability, and airflow efficiency. 

• Features like adjustable depth, cable management, and security make a huge difference in uptime and operational efficiency. 

• Investing in a rack with ventilation and modular design ensures your infrastructure stays future-ready. 

Below we examine four cost-effective features that are included with some 4-post open-frame racks: adjustable depth, cable management D-rings, white finish and caster wheels. 

1.Adjustable Depth 

Some 4-post server racks have both an adjustable mounting depth and an adjustable exterior depth. With other models, the exterior depth stays the same while the mounting depth changes. 

• Adjustable Mounting Depth: Many 4-post racks come with an adjustable mounting depth. That means you can move the two rear vertical posts forward and backward to line up with your largest, heaviest component rear rack ears. Since your components will probably change through the years, it’s handy to have a rack that will accommodate different sizes. Know the depths of your components before you buy a rack, because there are many adjustment ranges to choose from. For instance, NavePoint’s 4-post racks come with mounting-depth choices (in inches) of 9 to 16, 11 to 24, 16 to 31, and 22 to 40. 

• Adjustable Exterior Depth: With some 4-post server racks, you can adjust both the mounting depth and the exterior depth. Being able to manipulate the outside depth means the rack’s footprint can be decreased to take up less floor space in a room. This allows you to get a rack that is deep enough to hold any size of equipment you might need some day, but without having to surrender the floor space until that day comes. The larger the adjustment range the better – for instance, most of NavePoint’s models span from 22 to 40 inches. 

2.Cable Management D-Rings 

If you like a server rack with built-in cable management, find one that includes D rings, also called cable rings or cable hooks. Of all the cable management accessories that are on the market, D-rings are perhaps the most useful and cost-effective. Attached anywhere on the four vertical posts, these rings neatly gather cables and direct them away from the front of the rack. This is especially helpful when you have a traffic jam of cables connected to patch panels on the rack front. 

Some cable hooks have a flexible opening so it’s easy to insert and extract cords, and the cords stay inside the hook. 

Over half of NavePoint’s almost two dozen 4-post open-frame racks come with cable management hooks. The number of hooks you get is based on the rack size – up to 16 hooks. Of course, you can also buy cable management rings separately. 

3.White Server Rack 

Server room equipment has been around for decades, and the vast majority is offered only in black. However, in recent years, white server racks and cabinets have gained popularity among IT professionals. This trend is driven by factors such as improved visibility and a cleaner aesthetic. 

A white finish often gives a cleaner, more professional, more spacious appearance. It can contribute to an organized and visually appealing workspace, which is important in areas where clients or visitors may have access. White server racks also blend in with light-colored walls, which can make a room seem bigger and less cluttered. They can be associated with a modern aesthetic and a forward-thinking approach, which can contribute to a positive brand image. 

NavePoint offers a line of 4-post open-frame white server racks, with capacities from 25U to 45U and adjustable mounting depths from 15.7 to 40.7 inches. You can also get matching rack accessories such as white rack-mount drawers and white blank panels. 

4.Caster Wheels 

Getting a 4-post open-frame rack with four caster wheels included has three main benefits: 

• Mobility: Caster wheels make it easy to move the network rack around. This is especially useful in environments where the rack needs to be frequently relocated or accessed from different angles. 

• Accessibility: With caster wheels, network racks can be rolled out for easier access to the rear panels for maintenance, cabling or troubleshooting. This can save time and effort compared to racks that are stationary. 

• Flexibility in Layout: Caster wheels enable easier reconfiguration of the layout within a data center or server room. This can be important when adding or removing equipment, expanding the network infrastructure or rearranging the setup for better airflow and cable management. 

More than half of NavePoint’s 4-post open-frame racks come with caster wheels. Those without wheels have openings for attaching wheels if you decide to add them in the future. 

The best way to quickly compare the sizes and features of NavePoint’s 4-post open-frame racks is to view the spec sheet for models with a black finish and the spec sheet for models with a white finish. 

NavePoint’s 4-post racks are in stock now and available with FREE standard same-day shipping. If you have product questions or need recommendations about our 4-post racks, contact our U.S.-based team of experts at +1 (866) 392-1613 or email us. 

 

FAQs About 4-Post Racks 

Q1: What is the difference between a 2-post and 4-post rack? 
A: A 2-post rack supports lighter networking equipment, while a 4-post rack provides greater stability, load capacity and full enclosure options for servers and heavy gear. 

Q2: Can a 4-post rack improve cooling in my data center? 
A: Yes. With perforated doors and airflow management features, a 4-post rack helps prevent overheating in dense setups. 

Q3: Do 4-post racks support cable management? 
A: Most enterprise-grade racks include built-in cable trays, ducts and organizers to ensure neat, efficient setups. 

Q4: Are 4-post racks scalable? 
A: Yes. Many designs allow modular expansion, making them future-proof for growing enterprises. 

Q5: What industries typically use 4-post racks? 
A: Data centers, cloud service providers, financial institutions, retail, healthcare and enterprises running high-density IT workloads.