Top considerations when choosing an IT rack or supplier

Network and server racks are the under-appreciated backbone of the data centre, protecting the enterprise’s IT investments and supporting routine maintenance and management. But not all racks are created equal, says Jason Osner, sales manager at Rittal SA.

Rittal is currently expanding rapidly into east Africa on the strength of its quality products, and is partnering with RedFox Solutions Group on the launch of Ethiopia’s first privately owned data centre.

Osner says rack design and quality supports the overall performance of a data centre: “While the make-up of an IT rack can be considered much the same across brands, what differentiates them is the ease of set-up, quality and warranty and the service and maintenance that takes place post installation. So often, companies have IT racks installed, but the general maintenance is overlooked. It’s up to a reliable supplier to set out and walk the journey with you.”

Size and scalability

To ensure a future-proof environment, it is important to consider the size and scalability of the rack, says Osner.

“Organisations should work closely with a sales representative to determine what the options are, and which one is for you. They need to consider the specifications of the products to go into the cabinet, as well as cooling capacity, the size of the room, the functionality required, and what the overall objectives for the installation are. It is also important to consider whether the rack should be modular/ scalable so that you can build on over time,” he says.

“Most of our clients are looking to scale at this stage, so ensuring that your data centre is scalable is imperative,” he notes.

Flexibility and integration

When selecting racks, flexibility and integration are key, Osner says, since many organisations will need to include legacy and new technology on the same rack.

Accessibility factors should also be considered, he says. “In terms of physical accessibility, you need to ensure that it’s easy to maintain, to manage, make additions to and reach. It also needs to secure your data and product.”

Quality and service

To ensure IT racks will support the environment for the long haul, organisations should check on the quality and service around the products, says Osner. “Organisations should ask the supplier if the company is ISO certified, whether the products come with a service plan, will they be commissioned and is training provided. Organisations should also independently check whether they are competitively priced and of good quality.”