APC rack solutions meet all customer needs without breaking the bank

Already well-known as the leader in power protection, with solutions that meet every customer`s requirements, APC is strengthening its position in the rack market, by taking this same approach and delivering solutions to suit any requirement and budget.

"Increasing server depths and the need for more effective cable and power management techniques has led to a market requirement for deeper enclosures. Similarly, due to the advent of blade servers and their shrinking form factors, a higher-density of equipment resides within a rack, resulting in a requirement for superior ventilation in today`s rack solutions. APC has taken cognisance of these trends and has delivered solutions that meet all customers` requirements," says Darryl Squara, Business Manager, Acer & General Products at Tarsus Technologies.

At the top-end of the scale, APC`s NetShelter VX is the optimal enclosure for housing servers, networking and storage devices. It features an increased depth of 42 inches (107cm), which provides space for deeper servers, as well as power distribution and cable management. The VX range features both recessed power distribution channels, which offer up to 42 outlets handling up to 7.2kW per PDU (Power Distribution Unit), redundancy through a second PDU and simplified power management through split rear doors, which provide easy access to equipment power outlets.

The VX also features an optional Air Distribution Unit, which delivers equalised airflow from the bottom to the top of the rack enclosure. An optional Air Removal Unit is also available to optimise heat removal from densely configured racks.

The VX range is available as both a full-frame and open-frame offering and is available in 47U, 42U, 42U-wide (29.5 inches wide as opposed to 23 inches wide) and 25U sizes.

Designed for use in medium density data centres where floor space is important, APC`s NetShelter VS range is a performance-based enclosure solution, in that it maintains the same high-density cooling and security features as the VX range, but has limited space for power distribution and cable management.

"The VS rack range is designed for high-population, mainly for the blade server environment. Because much of the cable management is taken care of by these solutions` chassis designs, the rack solution rather focuses on cooling, which is still an issue in highly-populated configurations," says Squara.

The VS range is available as both a full-frame and open-frame offering and is obtainable in 42U and 25U sizes.

"For those clients looking for a wall-mounted solution, APC has delivered the NetShelter WX enclosures, specifically designed for networking professionals to securely store and wire 19-inch EIA compatible equipment such as hubs, routers, concentrators and patch panels," explains Squara.

Typical applications include small hub and LAN applications within wiring closets and computer rooms with floor space constraints. The wall-mount enclosure adheres directly to building walls without occupying valuable or unavailable floor space, while rubber feet are provided with the enclosure for those applications that require floor mounting.

The WX Enclosures are available in a 13U size and can be fitted with either a glass or ventilated door.

APC also has a range of Open Frame racks, which are available in both 2 post and 4 post form factors. These solutions are 45U in height.

All of APC`s UPS products integrate seamlessly into these rack solutions and the racks are also fully compatible with all server products on the market.

"By far the most compelling benefit is the fact that these solutions are available at roughly 15% to 20% less than other leading brands, meaning that customers benefit from a world-class solution without breaking the bank," Squara concludes.