Rack or tower server

[jmak]

Hi all

 

I'm looking at speccing a new server - I'm happy with the advice I've had on technical specification, but wondered what the opinion of the collective is on Rack vs Tower server. The "server room" is actually the electrical riser room and doesn't have AC. There is a single 19" cab which has all of the switches, patch panels and ISP router, but isn't deep enough to take a rack mount server, so would need replacing. The current server is a tower and sits on a table beside the existing cab.

 

The main reason I have for going to rack mount is neatness. This needs to be set against the cost of the new rack, the inconvenience of moving everything and any issues with cooling if the server is contained in a closed rack.

 

Thanks