Server Rack, Rackmount Accessory Products, LAN Rack And Computer Tables For IT Network And Telecom Applications.
By: Kevin D. Hunt

Many terms are used when referring to a server rack, computer rack and server cabinet. While the words seem to change constantly, other references are computer cabinet, computer enclosure, rackmount cabinet, rackmount enclosures, rack cabinet, 19" EIA cabinet, 23" EIA cabinet, and electronic cabinet. ISC uses many of these terms on multiple pages. ISC is using server rack, server cabinet, and computer rack as main reference words. Server racks and computer racks allow a standard method of mounting computer hardware and servers. While many people refer to these as server racks, it is actually a server cabinet. The server rack or server cabinet is used most often with 19" EIA rackmount servers and hardware. 23" EIA and 24" EIA server racks and server cabinets are a universal standard but are not as popular as 19" EIA server racks and server cabinets. A generic term for rackmounting in this way is rackmount solutions. Rackmount solutions for a server rack or server cabinet can be rackmount shelves. Examples would be fixed rackmount shelves, rackmount shelf, sliding rackmount shelves, sliding rackmount shelf, locking rackmount drawers. Rackmount shelves are made to fit server racks and server cabinets. Rackmount solutions may refer also to any rackmount component that is part of the solution other than rackmount shelves. Rackmount solutions can come from the requirement to have a rackmount power strip, rackmount KVM switch, rackmount uninterrupted power supply (ups), rackmount keyboard, rackmount monitor or other rackmount components. The ability to put all or many different varieties of rackmount components in a standard space such as in a 19" EIA server rack or server cabinet can be defined as providing standard solutions or rackmount solutions.

Rackmount

The word rackmount has been used several times in the above information. It is interesting to note that many people search under the word rackmount as one word and many other people search under rack mount as two words. Because of the way searches are made, ISC uses both versions rackmount and rack mount to reach as many searches as possible. While it can be confusing to some, we hope that the added benefit of the search makes it a wise choice.

LAN Rack

Whatever LAN rack style a customer prefers, ISC can furnish it. Many in the facility departments of large corporations are now referring to LAN racks as LAN furniture. LAN furniture can also refer to computer tables, server racks and server cabinets. Because these words are used to refer to the many variations of LAN furniture, it is difficult for marketers to use one term only. For this reason, ISC may use the terms LAN furniture, LAN racks or LAN rack to refer to different types pf products. It is our hope that terms such as LAN furniture will be helpful in the overall context. If there is any confusion with the generic term LAN furniture, please call or email ISC and we will be happy to clarify any terms.

Relay Rack

Relay rack and telecom rack are both terms used for the same basic rack. There are so many variations to these products; ISC is using the term relay rack as the key phrase and telecom rack as the second. Relay racks and telecom racks are normally used when the rack mount hardware only needs to be mounted to one set of rack rails. A common application for relay racks and telecom racks are rack mount patch panels. Some installations may require rows upon rows of relay racks and telecom racks to hold thousands of rack mount patch panels for the massive amount of communications of the company. Relay racks and telecom racks have been used to rack mount hundreds of servers as well. As servers have become deeper and require less rack units of space, many customers have switched to a four post relay rack or server rack. Traditionally, relay racks and telecom racks were made of aluminum and had tapped holes for 12/24 threads. Now there is a choice of aluminum or steel relay racks and telecom racks. While the aluminum racks are normally 12/24 threads many of the steel relay racks and telecom racks are tapped for 10/32 threads. Some of the other variations of relay racks and telecom racks are equal flange rack and unequal flange rack. These style racks are normally welded and have a base that cable can run through. ISC customer service can help advise the best relay rack, telecom rack, equal flange rack, unequal flange rack or the many other variables that best fit an application.

Wall Mount Rack

There are many applications for rack mount hardware that do not fit the relay rack, server rack, server cabinet solutions due to location and space requirements. Many times the best rackmount solutions are rack mount wall racks. These rack mount wall racks come in many sizes to fit very tight spaces. The rackmount wall rack can be made to fit in awkward spaces in closets and can accommodate very small rack mount hardware to reasonably deep rack mount hardware. The height of rack mount wall racks can range from 1U to 40U. Some refer to the many variations as wall mount rack, sideways panels mount, pivoting panel mount, unibracket, hinged panel mount, horizontal distribution rack, low profile wall cabinet, wall mount relay rack. Wall mount rack or Wall-mount racks appears to be the way many of the searches are worded. As you can see, rack mount products do not appear to fit any one nomenclature. To make it even more confusing, searches for wall mount racks are worded wallmount as one word or as we have been wording it, wall mount rack as two words. Such is the life in this industry.

Security Command Console

Since 9/11, command consoles are becoming a priority product. Large corporations and government facilities have used command consoles for years. For many smaller companies, command consoles are a new product that will be needed. Command consoles are also referred to as security console, surveillance console, computer console, monitor console, video console and many other variations. Common applications for command consoles are security, surveillance, traffic control, networking and telecommunications. ISC has standard command consoles that can be ordered online and we can also provide free cad drawings for custom command consoles. Command consoles are a variation of a rack mount cabinet. The size and shape is changed for the application and viewing ease. The command console is set for 19" EIA hardware. ISC offers different rack mount monitor shelves that will allow the different sizes of monitors to fit perfectly. The command consoles shown on the ISC online catalog have different methods of cooling and ability to dampen the sound of noisy rack mount servers. The best method to see the difference is to look at the product specifications. ISC Account Managers will be happy to help with any of your questions.

Rackmount Keyboard

Space optimization is a major concern of corporations. The rackmount solutions provided by the standard 19" rack mount server rack has helped tremendously with organization and the utilization of vertical space for rack mount hardware. Depending on the application, users are installing 15" - 17" monitors and keyboards. While a 19" rack mount server rack can contain the rack mount monitors, they use a lot of vertical space. Most keyboards are wider than the opening between the rack rails making the keyboard awkward to use. A rackmount solution for the vertical monitor space problem and keyboard width problem is a rack mount keyboard with TFT monitor. This rack mount keyboard TFT LCD monitor can be installed in 1U (1.75") of space rather than 15" to 17" of vertical space making the server rack much more space efficient. The keyboard is similar to a notebook keyboard and is available with a trackball or touch pad. In addition to the space saving, the TFT LCD monitor allows a clear view from angles rather than having to look at it straight on. Rackmount keyboard TFT LCD monitors also have the option of having a KVM switch built in. In 1U (1.75") a user can manage 8 servers with 1 rackmount keyboard TFT LCD monitor with built in KVM switch. The space saving and ease of use make the rackmount keyboard TFT LCD monitor with KVM switch one of the best rackmount solutions available. Keyboard options for the rackmount keyboard are Cherry and Dell. For those who prefer a rackmount TFT LCD monitor only, ISC has them available in 6U, 8U and 9U sizes.

KVM Switch

When a rackmount keyboard TFT LCD monitor with KVM switch is not the preferred rackmount solution, ISC has several choices. Stand alone and rackmount KVM switches are now smaller and contain more features than ever before. As mentioned above, KVM switches are used when 1-keyboard and 1-monitor control 2 or more servers. ISC offers users a choice on our online catalog of a 2-port KVM switch, 4-port KVM switch, 8-port KVM switch. ISC now offers a KVM switch over Internet IP. This allows secure remote access to servers. This is a hardware solution for what has been traditionally a software solution. Users have complained that software solutions for remote server access have a tendency to crash. When this happens, software does not allow a user to re-boot. The hardware solution KVM over Internet IP allows users to re-boot the hardware, access the BIOS and have full keyboard control as if they are on location. Standard KVM switch choices include KVM switch for USB connections and KVM switch with OSD. On screen display (OSD) provides an easy to use functional feature for the user. For users who prefer small, our Micro 2-port KVM switch is only .83"h X 2.76"W X 6.29"D. Related KVM switch products include video splitter, video splitter extender, KVM console extender, 3-in-1 cable, USB cable, ultra thin cable, USB 2-in-1 cable, extra power adapter.

Applications for VGA video splitters include public information display services, public broadcast systems, in-store product merchandising and information kiosks. Our VGA Video splitter allows one computer to provide simultaneous displays on several different monitors. Most can be daisy chained to almost unlimited expansion and work with VGA, SVGA and Multisync monitors. KVM UTP console extender provides convenient and remote access to a computer located up to 500 ft. away from a keyboard, monitor and mouse. With the KVM UTP console extender, your PC can be placed in a safe and secure location away from where you need to access it The KVM UTP console extender consists of a local unit (transmitter) and remote unit (receiver) which are connected over long distances using standard Ethernet network cable. KVM switch cables come in many different sizes and can be customized to your length when necessary. Cables include A-B fully rated USB cable, A-B M/M transparent USB cable, speed certified USB 2.0 cable, coax SVGA monitor extension, cat 5 and cat 5e cable.

Patch Panel And Cable

Patch panels and patch cables are used in communication applications. While thousands of patch panels are used on relay racks in large telecom applications, thousands more patch panels are used in small communication closets on wall mount racks. ISC offers standard patch panel sizes. Cat 5e and cat 6 patch panels are now the most used standards. Cat 5 patch panels are slow for many of today's applications. Cat 5e patch panel and cat 6 patch panel are an abbreviated nomenclature for category 5e patch panel and category 6 patch panel. It has become easier to refer to the shortened version patch panel as cat 5e panel and cat 6 patch panel. ISC patch panels come with a standard plastic punch down tool. For users who have large applications, our professional impact punch down tool is recommended. Patch panels are purchased as to the amount of ports they have. For example, ISC offers a 12-port patch panel, 24-port patch panel, 48-port patch panel, and 96-port patch panel. These port numbers are available in cat 5e and cat 6 patch panels.

Patch panel cables or patch cables are also available in cat 5e and cat 6. Patch cables are available in several different colors. ISC offers a blue patch cable, gray patch cable, black patch cable, yellow patch cable and other colors upon request. The ISC patch panel cables on our catalog are what we call snagless or booted cables. ISC offers non-booted patch cables on request. The reason many users use snagless or booted patch panel cables is to avoid getting the patch cable caught or snagged with other cables when pulling them in an installation or maintenance. ISC offers a lifetime warranty on these patch cables. Depending on the application and installation, patch panels are made in many different sizes such as a 3' patch cable, 5' patch cable, 7' patch cable, 10' patch cables 14' patch cable, 25' patch cable and other sizes upon request.

Flexible Keyboard

Rackmount keyboards were previously discussed as an excellent way to save space in a server rack, server cabinet, relay rack, and LAN rack type products. There are several other applications where a standard size keyboard may be better. Some of these applications include an industrial setting or an area that is dusty or where the keyboards must be cleaned regularly such as a doctor's office. The VIK keyboard or virtually indestructible keyboard provides a good solutions for these application. ISC also refers to these keyboards as flexible keyboards. The flexible virtually indestructible keyboard can be rolled up for easy transport when desired. VIK keyboard is available in both a full sized black USB / PS2 and a black USB / PS2 mini version.

Rackmount Powerstrip - Vertical Power Strip - Power Distribution Unit

Power requirements are becoming even more important when used with server racks, LAN racks, server cabinets, relay racks, telecom racks, rackmount wall mount racks and other types of racking. Power is becoming more specialized as it relates to the hardware used. Please note that when discussing powerstrips, many users search under powerstrip as one word or power strip as two words. ISC will use both of these in our discussion to make it easer for word searches. ISC products include vertical powerstrips, rack mount power strips and rackmount power distribution units (PDU's). Rackmount powerstrips include 19" EIA rackmount powerstrip and 23" EIA powerstrips. These rackmount powerstrips have options that include front outlet rackmount powerstrip, rear outlet rackmount powerstrip, front and rear outlet rackmount powerstrip, 90 degree outlet rackmount powerstrip and rackmount power strip with a LCD readout of the amps being used. 15 amp and 20 amp rackmount powerstrips are typical standards and are designed for specific applications. Power distribution units  (PDU's) are very specialized power strips and are typically rackmounted. When an application calls for a powerstrip that can handle more amps than a typical powerstrip, the power distribution unit, PDU, is the answer. A power distribution unit, PDU, may have two 20 amp circuits with more outlets and two power cords. Some power distribution units, PDU's have 30 amps with different receptacle and plug arrangements to fit specific power applications. ISC also carries a complete line of UPS for any application. ISC Account Managers are available to help with the correct power model for specific applications.

Computer Temperature and Humidity Sensor

Remote locations seem to be on the rise with many corporations. It is not unusual for a server cabinet, server rack, LAN rack or relay rack to be put in a remote location. Since many remote locations are not manned, temperature and humidity become a factor for server longevity. Servers are very susceptible to high temperatures and humidity. ISC offers a sensorhub that can be put in or on any server rack, server cabinet, relay rack, LAN rack, wall mount rack and will send email notifications if the temperature or humidity exceeds a threshold setting. The sensorhub temperature sensor and sensorhub humidity sensor can be purchased separately, or in one combined unit. The temperature sensor and humidity sensor includes an A/C power adapter, full SNMP MIB, quick start guide, documentation and utilities CD.

Computer Table

ISC offers a full line of computer tables for business and school classroom applications. Since computer tables and computer furniture are commonly used in word searches, ISC will again use many of these word phrases to make it easier for searches. ISC offers several different styles of computer tables or computer furniture for classroom computer training applications.

Semi-Recessed training tables are used in a computer training classroom where the students are all facing towards the instructor and may also need to look at overhead projections. The semi-recessed training table is designed to lower the monitor so the student can have a better view when looking at the instructor or overhead and the instructor can see the student better. When the typical single surface table is used for this application, the student has to look over or around the monitor causing a sometimes painful eye and neck movement and loss of productivity. The semi-recessed computer table class room training table can also have an attached cpu holder, roll-out keyboard and a pivot door cable bay. The cable bay is designed to prevent students from accessing the network cables or accidentally pulling cables with their feet and allow network technicians easy access to the cable when needed.

Power and network connections can be added to any series computer table. The computer table shown on our online catalog shows an application for notebook computers that can be used in a research, library or self study area. A student can bring a notebook to the computer table and connect it to the power and data connection. While this application is for a single surface application, it is not limited to it.

Computer Chair

ISC markets Computer Chairs that can also be used with our Computer Tables and LAN Racks. Computer chairs are just one term that can be used. Some of the other terms used are seating, task chairs, task seating, ergonomic chairs, ergonomic seating, stools, office chairs and operator chair. Our commercial computer chair is a commercial quality high use task chair. It has a limited lifetime warranty stronger than most chairs in the industry. This computer task chair is an excellent ergonomic chair with many adjustable controls