Typically the shorter depth racks are meant for network/telecom and occasionally AV gear.
Wall mounting a rack with any legit server is going to be tough (weight and leverage).
The route I went was I have a similar rack I use for my network gear and then I have a vertical wall mount 4U rack that lets me mount my 3U server flat against the wall.
Here's an example. Relatively inexpensive and gets the job done https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YHYVEY/
I'd probably steer you away from a server rack if this is the only system you're putting in AND you are not going to take advantage of the extreme server chassis depth. Another idea might be a vertical server rack / wall mount (startech has some) if you are really wanting to get into server size cases. Like this.
(Server case and portable generally don't go together.)
Depending on the amount of room in that closet, I would argue for either bolting a rack right on top of the box, or putting a patch panel in the box and mounting a vertical rack right below it. Could also do the rack above if you don't mind getting rid of the wire shelf and/or have room above.
Another option is to mount some kind of rack on top of / next to the SMC. Not sure whether the geometry of your pantry would let something like that work.
If you don't have room for a real rack, you might be able to squeeze something like this in, a vertical rack that lets you hang a couple of network devices. Then you could put a patch panel and modem in the SMC and a rack-mounted switch and router hanging next to it. All of your patch cables could go from the SMC patch panel to the rack-mount switch.
Oof. Yeah you're in a tight spot. Idk if this would be acceptable to you or not, but maybe replace the rack with a few vertical wall mount brackets and mounting everything vertically. https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=28Z1DR39WDOK0&keywords=4u+wall+mount+rack&qid=1645203500&sprefix=4u+wall%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-3
Check out the startech 4U wall mount rack. I have 2 DL360 G8’s and a 1U ReadyNAS. Fits perfectly
4U vertical wall mount..
Here's an example from Amazon. The reviews have some pictures of how it looks with servers mounted.
StarTech.com 4U Wall Mount Patch Panel Bracket - 19 inch Steel Vertical Mounting Bracket for Network and Data Equipment (RK419WALLV) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AQ5NDb56P4Q4B
so when you say 1/2 rack, do you mean you need ~21u of rack space to mount your gear? what I was getting at was something like this, but it's only 4u.
Use one of these 90 degree wall racks and you could potentially mount several.
They make vertical racks that would work well in that space. Everything would be turned on its side. I would put the patch panel closest to the wall and then use the switch and other gear to cover up the cables coming out the back of the patch panel.
example: StarTech.com 4U Wall Mount Patch Panel Bracket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YHYVEY
I could yea, but again it wouldnt work with my setup. I don't use the standard server rack style setup. My stuff is mounted on the wall in a neat package.
I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY
My whole setup is very compact. https://imgur.com/gallery/ySmCg5l
This is an old picture but it looks basically the same. The only difference is this is before the 10G conversion. So take out the orange cable, replace it with fiber and then put a DAC cable into the server as well.
Pick up a couple of these bad boys: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=sr_1_4
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;)
If you mean the shelf the PC is on. It is a standard 4U wall mount rack you can get on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=QH2AFOOC8QVN&keywords=4u+wall+mount+rack&qid=1644535564&sprefix=4u%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-3
If you mean the shelf I got above it, that's also on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08NSFV92Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Could you use a vertical rack mount? Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YHYVEY/
Thank you for the good information!
Full disclosure, I am a "green" sys admin. I am new, note why I still have questions, and asking for opinions from more experienced and wise people like yourself. Where I live in rural Tennessee, my ISP options are horrible. I could see it being another 20+ years before I have a decent terrestrial option. I am on the preorder list for Starlink, and have been since early February. My internet speed will not be that great for awhile.
Also, it is worth mentioning that I do home lab. I have a couple of VMs running on a r420, pfSense on a dedicated r420, a small storage server that handles important files, and an APC UPS. This cabinet also has a patch panel, and a dedicated Cisco switch to handle any traffic for what is rack mounted there.
That is why I am trying to stick with Cisco, as it makes managing my network much easier keeping the syntax the same. My idea is to have a switch, patch panels, and a 1u UPS on a small wall mounted rack, so that I will be able to unplug the cabinet from any power or network cable, and move it quickly. If I put all of my network cable in my cabinet, I won't be able to move it without a lot of work. This will be handy if I build a shop, or just want to clean things up. I have thought about the possibility that I may need to install a modem in the future, but I think that will be as simple as either wall mounting or putting it on a shelf in my cabinet.
I notice that switch is 17.5 inches deep. I might need to look at a different way of mounting my switch. Maybe have this vertical mount rack instead, especially since I'll probably be pulling my cable from the floor instead of the ceiling. I would mount the UPS at the back, and would try to design some extra support so that it can handle the weight.
Why shorter depth? go with vertical racking...
Like his https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY
That's what I would go with. You could also do this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_FV6MQDNM28NN0QC1SGCQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
they make vertical racks... https://smile.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY
StarTech has some, ranging from 1U-6U, NavePoint also has some. There are also ones with cabinet-like enclosures that are advertised for servers, if you care about something like that. There are other manufacturers, but I don't know anything about them.
I have both my servers. An r810 and a r320 vertically mounted on their own vertical wall mount racks. Just make sure you hit the studs and you'll have no problems. If it's in the budget and you have space in your patch panel, think about installing at least five Ethernet drops just below or just beside the server. Makes for nice cable management. Shouldn't cost too much. I get most of my gear off Amazon in that regard. https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Mount-Patch-Panel-Bracket/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=wall+mount+vertical+server+rack&qid=1570787721&sprefix=wall+mounted+vertical+ser&sr=8-3
I found and bought my cat7 cable from another location. Came on a spool. And was riser cable, meaning it had a braided shield around the foil shield like you see in coax cable. Good luck
Something like this would be your best bet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YHYVEY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iF9gFbPA9P290
Best bet would be to build your own using one of these chassis from SuperMicro
Or go with a fullsize server and use a vertical wall mount like this
I've used a lot of this type of bracket:
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/u/arbiter I have done thousands of drops. I disagree with most here as a pro, I have NEVER walked into a good DIY job. Ever. And a shit ton of pro jobs were mediocre as well. The fact that so many people say it's so easy means they probably got their drops to work while looking or performing like garbage. And the garbage performance often doesn't cause issues in home, but I hate tracking those issues down when I am called into a job.
Anyways, I'm going to save you a lot of mistakes and time because, like me, you sound like you like to learn how to do shit yourself.
DON'T CHEAP OUT ON PARTS OR TOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I have linked is very affordable.
Don't get lazy, DO ALL DROPS RIGHT NOW. Leave none unterminated.
There are two standards, TIA568A and TIA568B. It doesn't matter what you use, most I run into are using B, you just have to STAY CONSISTENT. There are labels on the jacks and panel.
Keep the wires NEAT behind the patch panel. I flip the patch panel upsidedown on the mount, or the entire mount upside down, punch my wires down while making sure they are all neat and even, and flip it back over when I am done taking care not to kink the wires or bend them a way they don't want to be bent.
No hard bends when shoving the wires back in the wall, leave a foot of slack.
Try and get the wiring casing as close to the patch panel or keystone jack as possible.
Untwist the wires ONLY as much as needed to get them in the punchdown.
USE PREMADE PATCH CABLES! I can not stress this enough. Making those cables yourself is absolutely a waste of time when decent cables can be had for $2 from Monoprice or CableOrganizer.
For Patchpanel's, use a Startech Mount.
That price is very fair. My test equipment is EXPENSIVE. My skill level has reached a point where about $50 a pre-ran drop is the norm. I never trust people's labels because not ONCE was every single one correct. It's also super easy to damage Cat6 while pulling it so chasing issues can take time. He isn't marking up much. This is not out of your realm to learn BUT again, I have NEVER walked into a DIY job that didn't suck, so take your time and be that one pretty DIY job I'd like to come across some day. It takes time to get good at this and you have to decide right now if you want everything to just work, forever. Or if you want to be chasing issues from some crappy terminations over time. You can't say you won't have any, because you don't have the expensive test equipment to prove it. I personally HATE going back over someone's work and fixing everything that could have been done right the first time.
Good luck.
I mean, the coat hangers are an inventive solution but why not just use one of these?
Had to use this in a re-purposed closet, worked okay, but wish i could have more. I then used a different mount for my patch panel.
https://www.amazon.com/Startech-19-Inch-Vertical-Mountable-Server/dp/B001YHYVEY
100% Ubiquiti.
As for your questions:
Arlo is mainly battery based. Ubiquiti will give you better image quality. Arlo will also likely have a storage fee- Ubiquiti is free and if you want more storage just install a bigger hard drive.
Not with Ubiquiti
Arlo is simpler, that doesn't mean better.
Ubiquiti is 100% local storage. The cloud is only used for remote access, when you open it up you are watching video streamed from your Cloud Key. That's why there's no recurring costs.
Also for Ethernet- if you are building a house you should really be running at minimum 1x cat6 to each room, and 1x to each TV or where a TV might be, and 1x to each camera location, and 1x to each doorbell, and 1x to each place you want a WAP. Have them all come down to a central location.
If I were you, I'd get a wall rack bracket to put where all the cables go, then go with the 24 port PoE switch and UDM Pro Router. The UDM pro replaces the cloud key and becomes your network router, buy the one that comes with an 8tb HDD as a kit. Then for WiFi in the house get the WiFi 6 Lite WAPs.
Granted that is more extensive than just cameras, but the result will give you a really good home network.