Re: [SAGE] 2-post vs. 4-post racks

[Richard Chycoski <rac@cisco.com>]

Telco companies regularly use two-post racks for very large gear. You do 
need to make sure that the racks are rated correctly and properly 
installed, and that any shelving or brackets that you are using are 
rated for the proper load.

- Richard

Robert Haskins wrote:

> The setup you describe is not uncommon at all, though I don't work in 
> a seismically active area. Assuming you are using well constructed 
> racks and correct racks/shelving for the weight load in question, you 
> should be set. The rating information should be available online or 
> from the colo provider.
>
> A former employer had a number of Sun E450's (and similar sized 
> equipment) in two post racks and proper shelving without a problem. A 
> diferent former employer had similar sized equipment but it had the 
> seismically add-on braces, etc. that worked well too. I don't recall 
> if that was a 2-post or 4-post rack system though.
>
> Guy B. Purcell wrote:
>
>> I now work for a company that has nothing but 2-post racks in their 
>> production colo.  They have a ton of 1U Intel/Linux servers stacked 
>> on shelves in those racks, but also an entire rack with Sun V280Rs on 
>> shelves, and a Sun L1000 tape library on a shelf about chest-high.  
>> This is the first time I've seen 2-post racks used for anything more 
>> than network gear and small servers (eg. Sun Netras).  It looks 
>> dangerous to me.
>>
>> Anyone have experience with using 2-post racks with large equipment?  
>> Is it safe, or will these things twist & buckle in the next earthquake?
>>
>> -Guy
>>
>>