Over time networks grow and are added to. It is rare to find a client who can see far enough ahead to plan the cabling and server requirements that they will have over time. With increased numbers of neworked devices and combined data and voices networks over structured cabling – the number of cabinets and patch panels easily outstrips the small cabinets originally envisaged.
So – every so often I do a consolidation of the equipment into a larger secure cabinet so that the client has additional expansion capacity. Each clients requirements are different but I have found that the Rittal range of cabinets and specifically the 48U version in black gives the greatest range of features. One word of warning though – these are heavy and if you use one of the items make sure that you get it placed exactly where its need when delivered (especially if the computer equipment is not on the ground floor.
The cabinets themselves will easily allow the removal of the front and back doors and side panels for maximum ease of fitting equipment and cabling. You should always budget for some cable management bars and if you have any number of machines going in – think about a KVM and the appropriate ps2 / usb leads and convertors.
One word of warning – watch out for the pitfalls that cablers leave you – I’ve variously had to remove unsecured fibre optic cables – with the exposed fibres hanging loose by cutting a hole around a fibreoptic sheath and grommet – moved date points, Sky video, meusic on hold and 36 video cables while adding 9th extensions to the coax cable – but most recently had to use a 9 inch angle grinder to cut a 5 inch square out of a comms cabinet to free a telephone patch panel that had its cabling feed through a 3/4 screw hole meant for mounting the cabinet against a wall.
So bear in mind the sparks may have to fly for real to get the result the client is looking for.