107 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
107 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
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## Table of Contents
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- [Purpose](#purpose)
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- [Overall Structure](#overall-structure)
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- [Dimensions](#dimensions)
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- [Shelving Layout (Bottom → Top)](#shelving-layout-bottom-top)
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- [Airflow & Cooling](#airflow-cooling)
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- [Cable Management](#cable-management)
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- [Power & Connectivity](#power-connectivity)
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- [Mobility](#mobility)
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- [Notes / Future Improvements](#notes-future-improvements)
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# **Purpose**
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* Modular, movable server rack for home lab / on-prem infrastructure
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* Designed for airflow, easy cable routing, and future expansion
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* Self-built to reduce costs and allow for customized dimensions
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# **Overall Structure**
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* **Construction**
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* Built from **plywood and 2×4 framing**
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* Open front and back (no permanent doors yet)
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* Future plan: **plexiglass front doors** with standard hinges
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* Bottom front and rear covered to prevent animals for accessing the power connections on bottom shelves
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* **Orientation**
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* Vertical rack
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* Total height: **\~7 feet**
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# **Dimensions**
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* **Exterior dimensions**
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* Width: **27 inches**
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* Depth: **32 inches**
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* **Sides**
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* Solid plywood panels ¾ inch
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* \~**2-inch air gap** between shelves and side walls for airflow and cable routing
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* ![][image1]
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# **Shelving Layout (Bottom → Top)**
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* **Total shelves:** 5
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1. **Bottom Shelf – Battery Compartment**
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* Houses backup batteries
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* Shelf cutouts:
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* Two openings, approx. **6 × 10 inches each**
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* Purpose: allow cool air intake from bottom
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2. **Second Shelf – UPS Electronics**
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* Battery chargers
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* Inverters
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* Bus bars
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* Fuses and electrical distribution components
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3. **Third Shelf – Servers**
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4. **Fourth Shelf – Servers**
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5. **Top Shelf – Network Equipment**
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* Modems
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* Routers
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* Network hub / switch
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# **Airflow & Cooling**
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* **Passive \+ Active airflow design**
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* Bottom-up airflow path:
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* Air enters from bottom shelf cutouts
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* Moves vertically through rack
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* Travels upward along side gaps
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* **Active exhaust**
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* **Two 4-inch duct fans** mounted at the top
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* Fans pull air from bottom → top and exhaust heat upward
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# **Cable Management**
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* **Vertical cable channel**
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* \~2-inch gap between shelves and side wall
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* Used for:
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* Power cables
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* Ethernet (Cat5/Cat6)
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* Future wiring runs
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* **Entry point**
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* Power cords and Ethernet enter **from the top**
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* Routed down internally to devices
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# **Power & Connectivity**
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* **Power**
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* Standard power cords run from top of rack
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* Connected to wall outlets / power strips as needed
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* **Networking**
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* Cat5/Cat6 Ethernet cables routed from top
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* Network equipment consolidated on top shelf
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# **Mobility**
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* **Wheels**
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* Mounted on bottom
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* Heavy-duty / pneumatic-style wheels
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* Allows rack to be repositioned easily for maintenance or reconfiguration
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# **Notes / Future Improvements**
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* Add plexiglass front doors for dust control while preserving visibility
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* Potential rear door or removable panel if needed
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* Optional fan control automation (thermostat or smart relay)
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[image1]: assets/images/server-racks-image1.png
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