Source of Affodable Rackmount Cases

[Jesse B]

I'm considering switching over to a small rackmount setup. Probably just running a few rigs. I'm looking for a source of cheap racks/rackmount cases. I'd prefer for the distributors to be in Canada to save on shipping, but if the price is right I can make pretty much anywhere else work.

I'm trying to just kinda centralize everything here. I have a rig taking care of network file storage, music streaming, a web server for development purposes, and virtualization right now. I'd like to split this up into a pair of 2U racks, one running my current hardware for storing files and streaming audio, and the other to run a bunch of virtual machines.

I'm only really interested in mATX, anything bigger is of no real interest to me. I don't have a whole lot of money to throw at this, so as cheap as possible without sacrificing quality would be awesome

Thanks,


- Jesse

 

[Hydaral]

If you want a VERY cheap rack, then you could use a LackRack:

http://wiki.eth-0.nl/index.php/LackRack

I presume you will have these in a cupboard somewhere as rack machines tend to be loud.

If you just want the 1U case and don't care what is actually inside, (you are going to somehow get desktop parts into it) then you could try eBay for old/broken machines, Sun Cobalts seem to go for pretty cheap.

A lot of companies just throw out old servers like this (I know we did, some Cobalts), you could always get in contact with the sysadmin from a small to medium company and get him to sell you one next time they are decommissioning some.

 

[Jesse B]

Hmm, definitely and interesting idea for a cabinet. I'll look into that further

I found a website, not sure if anybody has heard of them/dealt with them. Prices seem to be fair, although the shipping is a tad pricey.

http://www.plinkusa.net/web2022m.htm

That case looks like it'd do the trick. I'll have to try to get ahold of the owner regarding them shipping prices

 

[Jesse B]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811165213

Grabbing some of those seems like it'd be the cheapest option at this point in time.