StarTech.com 4POSTRACKBK 42U 4 Post Open Frame Server Rack, Adjustable Floor Standing Data Rack, Computer/Network Cabinet

I looked for a long time, and I couldn't find a rack for the office that wasn't way over priced. This unit was not only a very good price but works perfectly. I read reviews stating that the dimensions of the rack was too narrow and would not support a server on rails, however everything I have tried fit as designed. I installed 3 Dell sc1425 servers (1u with oem dell rails), Thecus NAS RAID (2u Thecus rails), as well as 2 Servers (2u with universal rails) I have 4 APC 1500va UPS's set on the base, 3x24 port switches, 2 x shelfs, 2x24 RJ45 patch panels. I mounted the unit on wheels (bolt spaceing means you need to buy OEM) as I need to move the unit around for access. This makes the rack appear a like tippy but it is not going anywhere. It includes everything you need, as well as screws to mount your equipment. The assembly instructions are a was of time as they say nothing. There are 6 support bars that run front to back 4 of them are the same and go in the top and mid section, the 2 with built in nuts go on the bottom. The Rack weights 50 plus kilos so is best if 2 people move it. (UPS sent the smallest guy they could find to deliver it) The bottom (shelf?) is a little iffy not quite sure how it was to fit and doesn't really support much. It took some additional time to figure things out, but overall it wasn't too difficult to assemble. It did cleanup and organize the server room.

Edit: After 7 years with this rack there are a few updates. This rack out of the box does not fit ready rails so this is not a good fit for a home labber who is buying older dell or similar equipment. White box rack mount rails have a hard time fitting (mainly because they are generally poor quality to begin with).However, this is a decent low cost rack and can be made to fit most rails if you grind off (at a minimum) the inside mounting holes on the front side of the rack.Grinding away the front set of the inner mounting holes allows the rack to fit rails from dell and supermicro (the servers I've used it for). It took me quite a few metal grinding blades from my dremel tool and ultrasaw. You will need both (or similar tools) one for the bulk of the work and the other for the fine grinding you'll need in the corners and tight spaces. You may need a hacksaw as well depending on how handy you are.If you don't want to spend the better part of a day grinding down metal and cleaning up after it go for a different rack, trust me it'll be money well spent. Plus you'll have a nice rack that doesn't look all beat-up to hell since you had to mod it, but it'll be functional.I'll give it 3 stars but only because it *was* a cheap option. Nowadays you can find a used low or no-cost option for a data center quality rack from a popular classified ads site or a popular auctions site ...---Old incorrect review:Do not buy! This rack will not fit servers with rails!Do not make the same mistake I did. This rack is not the correct width, none of my servers with Rails will fit correctly. I am now out several hundred dollars since my servers did not arrive in time for the return window.A correctly built rack should have a width of 17.75 inches. This rack is 17.5 inches.

First let me point out that although i've been a computer tech for almost 20 years, i've never owned or worked with racks, so i can't offer any kind of comparison opinion. I was upgrading my computer to a bigger case and had other rack mounted equipment, so i decided to finally make the move to rack mounting.I really shopped around. I didn't want to spend too much money on a rack but they're expensive. This rack seemed like a deal. It has plenty of unit spaces, more than i needed, but was cheaper than others with less units.The rack seems well made and sturdy. It comes with the screws to mount your equipment (about 50 screws/nuts), i didn't realize this and bought 50 also. After a few minutes of looking at the instructions the rack was easy to assemble. I made the mistake of not realizing that 2 of the 6 connecting arms were specially made to be on bottom (for mounting the bottom panels). So i had to reassemble a couple pieces to get it right.I can't imagine ever needing a second rack, but if i did, i wouldn't hesitate buying this one again. I definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a rack.I have 4 or 5 items that need to be rackmounted but don't have brackets. I stuggled to find the right brackets online. I considered making the brackets myself, but did a second search online and luckily ran across exactly what i was looking for. To help anybody who might be in the same boat, here is what i settled on, 1U mounting brackets for open post rack SA-3201 Good Luck, ScottT 06JUL2011 1U mounting brackets for open post rack SA-3201

I was concerned when I read a review stating that the dimensions of the rack would not support a server on rails (too narrow) since this is what I was planning to include in the rack. I contacted StarTech who assured me that it should not be a problem. I decided to take a chance and ordered it. I liked the price, the bottom shelf (where my UPS is located), and the availability of wheels (need to be ordered separately--which I did). I had no problem installing 2 Dell servers with the sliding rails. Between the Dell server rails and the rack, they went in incredibly easily. I still have some older equipment to move to it which should happen shortly. I am very pleased with this rack.Three points to note: 1) With the addition of the wheels, it is a little taller and it would not roll through some doorways. I had to tilt it to go in, but it wasn't that big a deal. 2) The shipping weight is 114 lbs which caused a shipping problem for the vendor. This was not the fault of the rack, but rather the vendor not having a clue. You might need to allow for extra delivery time. 3) The assembly instructions are sketchy. It took some additional time to figure things out, but overall it wasn't too difficult to assemble.

Amazing value for the price. Extremely sturdy. I am using mine for home theater equipment, no actual servers in a server room. So I cannot comment on how a server might fit, but for receivers, amps, etc, it works great. Very heavy duty. So heavy duty that my one complaint is how they package it for shipping. It is at my limit for lifting overhead and with all that weight, they ship items inside that are not strapped to anything. So they bounce around and break through the cardboard box. I had to return the first one as several key items broke open a hole in the box (and disappeared). The replacement one had the same problem, however, someone placed some packing tape over the hole so everything made it. At any rate, it is good looking, sturdy as heck, heavy as can be and is working well. I got the 42u. From the 'front' (thin side) the max width item you could fit through is 17-11/16" (just under 18"). The long side is adjustable. You can see in the picture that I have attached a full length ventilated shelf near the bottom. Also, in the picture, I built a custom base out of MDF for it and painted it flat black.