Re: Advice on cheap data cabinets and rackmount switches....

[Jim Noble <yahoo-groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

noel_pilot wrote:

> Hey all,
> Well...looks like i'm nearly ready for my first data cabinet and
> rackmount switch purchase!!
> Advice greatly appreciated on places to look and the cheapest possbile
> prices for a data cabinet, (something to sit on the desk so maximum 80
> cm tall I guess)


The important question is how deep do you want it?

My rack is 600x600mm, and I'm now looking to move up to a 800x800mm rack
because there isn't much room for the wiring behind the rackmount PC,
and the UPS is every so slightly too long (haven't had the rear door on
since putting it in there). The PC chassis is shorter than most as well.

OTOH, if it's just for a switch and some patch panels, you can make do
with a lot shallower (300-450mm). In which case you probably want to
look at wallmount style cabinets (even if you end up putting on a
desktop) - they're a bit cheaper.

Ebay is a good source for 2nd hand. New, I'd be looking at:

www.millsltd.com
www.netshop.co.uk


> also need a rackmount switch too and again cheap as poss please!!


Ebay again.

> Is it possible to get a switch with say just one or two gigabit ports
> in then the rest normal 10/100.


Yes. I have a Netgear FSM726S. 24 10/100 ports, and two copper gigabit
ports, with the option of adding up to 2 fibre modules later.

They also have a 24 port 10/100/1000 switch for similar money. Neither
are particularly "cheap" though (but not bad for a managed
switch).

The suggestion to use separate cheap 10/100 and gigabit switches is a
good one though!

Jim