What are the specifications of the data center racks? (outdated)

If you plan to house more than 10U of equipment in the Pratt CIEMAS Data Center, you will need to purchase a cabinet, cable management, and power distribution. PTS requires all racks be of a certain type to ensure consistency and reliabliity. Data cabling is handled in the top of the racks so they must match to ensure cables can be run properly.

The house systems in the data center, you will need, at a minimum, a rack, cable troughs, and a power distribution unit:

APC NetShelter VX 42U Enclosure - Part # AR2101
APC NetShelter Power Cable Shield - Part # AR8161ABLK
APC NetShelter Data Shield (Front) - Part # AR8162ABLK
APC NetShelter Data Shield (Back) - Part # AR8163ABLK

For power distribution, you have two choices. One will give you 42 120V outlets that are current metered and the other will allow you to remotely login and switch individual outlets on and off (great for remote maintenance of systems like computational cluster nodes which may hang during exceptionally streesful jobs, etc)

APC Metered PDU - Part # AP7862
APC Switched Outlet PDU - Part # AP7960

If your servers have plugs other than normal 15/20 Amp NEMA 5-20R type plugs (208V, IEC C13, etc), please contact PTS before ordering to ensure the proper power distribution unit is ordered.

If you have servers with serial console ports that you'd like to access, you can also purchase a 0U terminal server with 42 ports:

APC 42 Port 0U Terminal Server - Part # AP9290

Note you will also need cables and adapters for each server you connect to a terminal server. Contact PTS for more details.

You cannot use normal power strips in the CIEMAS Data Center. You must distribute power via one of the two PDU options above.

A single rack, metered PDU, and the shields will cost approximately $1050 plus shipping (ProVantage quote 8/15/2005) Note the prices listed on APC's website are Suggested Retail - you will find these items MUCH cheaper online.

Another option available for high density racks (with 30+ systems in one rack) is APC"s air curtain product which blows a curtain of cold air from the floor up in front of the servers to ensure the coldest air is being pulled into the servers. This option is approximately $550 plus shipping.

PTS will be happy to order your rack equipment for you - simply email support@pratt.duke.edu with an appropriate fund code to charge and what equipment you desire.