I had an idea the other day, and I kept thinking about it.. Sooner or later, I found myself drawing it out. Then, I decided to get on my computer and do an MS paint draw up. It does look like shit, so don't say I didn't warn you.
My idea was a 2U [del]audio equipment[/del] Home-built mounting rack (on wheels), fitted with 3 or 4 rack mounted servers. On the rack there would also be a gaming computer inside of a rack-mountable case. Then on top, a monitor mounted at an angle (in-line with the angled top). The multiple servers would be routed to the monitor through a manual KVM Switch. Which would be easily accessible from the top of the cart/server rack. The 2 ports on the side of the cart would either be D-Sub or DVI, for the gaming computer. There would most likely be either a PS/2 plug, or a USB port for a keyboard and mouse. All these computers ethernet cables would be routed the a switch, and all the power cables through a surge protector, so all you would have to plug in is 1 ethernet cable and one power cable.
[b]The Audio Rack[/b]
[img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13038989/Server%20Project/sound_rack.jpg[/img]
Not the actual rack, just something that it would look like.
[b]My Sketchup[/b]
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13038989/Server%20Project/Setup.png[/img_thumb]
It may not be to scale, but I think this would work. What are your opinions?
[release]
[b] 2-6-11 [/b][list]
[*]Pre-built ideas scrapped.. Drew up new concept art for a drawer mounting system.
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13038989/Server%20Project/Drawers/Diag.png[/img_thumb]
[*]The drawers would be a heavy-ish aluminium, and would be completely removable from the rest of the unit. Also, Commercial 1/2/3/4U mounting idea thrown out.
[url]http://tinychat.com/mobilelanserver[/url]
[*]I just put up a tinychat room. I'll be on quite alot, and can update with ideas in the thread from there. Join in your spare time, and maybe I'll be on!
[*]Sketchup downloaded, and livestream created. When I am in the chat, i'll tell you when I am streaming the design process.
[/list][/release]
[release]
[b] 2-7-11 [/b][list]
[*] Motherboard mount tray mockup started... Still need more standoffs! [sp]PM me if you have any, and are willing to mail them[/sp]
[img_thumb]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13038989/Server%20Project/Mockups/rack.png[/img_thumb]
[/list]
[/release]
It's very possible, I have seen similar at LAN parties. The only problem with it is that if you were playing on the gaming computer, it would be awkward with not having your legs under it like a desk would be.
[QUOTE=Olas;27887680]It's very possible, I have seen similar at LAN parties. The only problem with it is that if you were playing on the gaming computer, it [b]would be awkward with not having your legs under it[/b] like a desk would be.[/QUOTE]
That is why there is ports on the side. You would roll this up by the table, and plug your one or 2 monitors through the ports on the side, which are plugged into the gaming computer..If that makes any sense.
Oh okay, that makes more sense. So the monitor is connected via kvm to the server, not the gaming computer?
Also, you should get a rack mountable power conditioner like a Furman and run everything through it instead of a power strip. Plus having a volt meter and telescopic lights at the top of the rack makes it look cooler.
[QUOTE=Olas;27887748]Oh okay, that makes more sense. So the monitor is connected via kvm to the server, not the gaming computer?
Also, you should get a rack mountable power conditioner like a Furman and run everything through it instead of a power strip. Plus having a volt meter and telescopic lights at the top of the rack makes it look cooler.[/QUOTE]
The monitor on the unit itself would be used to monitor the servers. It would most likely be just a cheap monitor, nothing fancy.
And yeah, that would look pretty cool.
[QUOTE=Johnbooth;27887777]The monitor on the unit itself would be used to monitor the servers. It would most likely be just a cheap monitor, nothing fancy.
And yeah, that would look pretty cool.[/QUOTE]
And lightning proof :science:.
I use a Furman power conditioner at my desk at home, it's a good investment to spend $100 on and protect everything from surges and brownouts.
[b]Edit:[/b]
Especially since this would be moved to different locations with different wiring, it's good to protect your gear.
How heavy would this be? With 3 servers, a monitor, peripherals, and a standard computer... 120+ pounds?
[QUOTE=Johnbooth;27887912]How heavy would this be? With 3 servers, and a standard computer... 120+ pounds?[/QUOTE]
The actual computer hardware won't be very heavy, it's the cases that add weight.
build it yourself out of aluminum with your own mobo mountings and you could halve the weight.
If you know how to TIG weld that is.
[QUOTE=chipset;27887940]The actual computer hardware won't be very heavy, it's the cases that add weight.
build it yourself out of aluminum with your own mobo mountings and you could halve the weight.
If you know how to TIG weld that is.[/QUOTE]
My dad is a sheet metal worker, and has access to a line welder. This could also be used for light or heavy weight aluminium.
It would also be cool to put each computer on a drawer-like rack, if I were to make my own cases. The drawers could be drawn out (like a drawer :v:), or taken off the railing system completely for maintenance, or upgrades/cleaning.
water cool it and have it see in with leds lights
I like these ideas. I am happy I came to you guys for advice.
[QUOTE=ruarai;27888083]put a wireless router on top to give others wireless[/QUOTE]
and a switch with cat6, make sure the wifi is wireless n
This kinda reminds me of the whole Ikea Lack thing
[url]http://wiki.eth-0.nl/index.php/LackRack[/url]
Basically a table that can be used as a makeshift rack.
I've seen those lack-racks before, but the only problem would be durability and portability. The rack mounted hardware would be fully exposed if you decided to bring it some where, and you would have to add wheels if you want the extra bit of portability.
On another note, does anyone know where I can get a rack mountable case? Preferably a large one, capable of holding more equipment then a stream lined server case.
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Server_rack_rail_dimensions.svg[/img]
Maybe 3U or 4U?
You can get one with a table built in!
[url=http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ODY-FZ1116WDLXII-LIST][img]http://www.americanmusical.com/ProductImages/Large/73929.jpg[/img][/url]
I am not talking about a case/rack, I am talking about a case you would mount on the rails. And we already decided I would build the rack for this, and just pick up some rails to put on the inside.
[QUOTE=blackdenton;27893894]You can get one with a table built in!
[url=http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ODY-FZ1116WDLXII-LIST][img_thumb]http://www.americanmusical.com/ProductImages/Large/73929.jpg[/img_thumb][/url][/QUOTE]
That'd be sex.
[QUOTE=Djessey;27893969]That'd be sex.[/QUOTE]
Also too much of someones budget. You could buy 2 twenty dollar costco tables and the rack for 1/2 the price.
But on another note, where is a good place to get some rack mount servers? I looked on Newegg, and buying 3 of those is quite pricey. I would love to find a place where I could get 3 for about ~300 USD each, or maybe a bit cheaper if possible. Once I get those prices, I can get a more firm grasp on a decent budget, or whether I need more money before I can go on with this project.
SKB makes really durable stuff, not too heavy either.
[url]http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/prodlist.php?c=80[/url]
[QUOTE=Olas;27895570]SKB makes really durable stuff, not too heavy either.
[url]http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/prodlist.php?c=80[/url][/QUOTE]
I am looking around their site, and all I see is this actual racks to mount things on.. I don't see anything that I can build a computer in, then mount on railing.
[QUOTE=Johnbooth;27895731]I am looking around their site, and all I see is this actual racks to mount things on.. I don't see anything that I can build a computer in, then mount on railing.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&N=100007731&IsNodeId=1&PropertyCodeValue=553%3A7972%2C553%3A49742%2C553%3A7971&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100[/url]
Just a example from newegg
Yeah, SKG wouldn't have something like that. I was just making a suggestion for the rack unit.
I like how [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811148059]this one[/url] looks, and it would be easy to fit 3 on a rack. But what does this mean?
[img]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13038989/Server%20Project/MoBo.png[/img]
It uses an ATX motherboard up to 12 x 13 inches.
[QUOTE=Veers;27896523]It uses an ATX motherboard up to 12 x 13 inches.[/QUOTE]
I realize that, but what kind of form factor motherboard mounts does it use? Or does it not even use a form factor?
This is cool, but pointlessly complex. Each to their own.
[QUOTE=Johnbooth;27896547]I realize that, but what kind of form factor motherboard mounts does it use? Or does it not even use a form factor?[/QUOTE]
It uses the ATX form factor, which is why it says that. By the way I really like this idea, if you go through with it please post pictures.
[QUOTE=GusPaterson;27896577]This is cool, but pointlessly complex. Each to their own.[/QUOTE]
Please explain how. I would love to make this simpler. And I don't realize how this would be difficult.. At all.
[editline]6th February 2011[/editline]
Updated OP
I like this very much.. And the fact that you actually have the resources to do this makes me more excited.
Bare in mind [b]audio[/b] racks usually aren't deep enough to take the length of a rackmount computer case, however, [url=http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-RM-404s-4u-short-rackmount-p/case-xcase-rm404-v2.htm]X-Case do a series of short rack cases specifically for this situation.[/url]
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