[Info-vax] Slightly OT: DEC racks and modern servers

[JF Mezei]

An update on my rackmount experience :-(

When I got the rackmount kit for DS10Ls, I found out that they weren't
long enough for my Q5 cabinet. So I was a tad worried about the Apple
kit.  Turns out that wasn't a problem. It comes with 2 bracket sizes,
one adjustable for 24 to 29 inch depth cabinets, and one for greater thn
29 inch. The depth o the Q5 (the old Microvax II large cabinet) is about
25 inches (between the mounting pillars). So, I was quite happy to find
out that this kit would work fine...

UNTIL...




Apple expects the rack to be:

|
|
|
|
__+__


(where the + is the hole for screws. Same design for back but in reverse.


The DEC cabinets are:

    |
    +
    |
|----
|
|
|__+__


The rear portion of the pillar provides a different mount point for
sideways screws. But, it interferes with the Apple bracket
which doesn't expect any metal there :-(


My solution was to use a hacksaw to remove the protrusions from the
Apple kit so that the bracket can be flush against the rear portion of
the pillar. I did 1 so far, 3 more to go.

So, the answer to my original question: No, the Apple rack mount kits
for the Xserve doN't fit the old Dec Cabinets.