FAQ - Fequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a server cabinet and a patch cabinet?
A flat cabinet (max. 600mm) with glass door is called a patch cabinet.

This is because this type of cabinet is often used for patch solutions that do not generate extreme heat. In addition, the average depth of the patch panels and switches does not exceed 600 mm.

If a lot of heat is released inside the cabinet (e.g. through the use of servers), a cabinet with a perforated door, a server cabinet, is selected. These are usually lower.

Why choose a server cabinet with a glass door?
A glass door is often used for patch solutions without extreme heat generation. Think, for example, of a number of patch panels with a telephone switchboard.

Server cabinets often come with a front door made of glass front and feature a closed steel door at the back. An additional advantage of a glass door is that it is much more sound-reducing than their perforated counterpart. Glass doors also tend to look a little ‚sharper‘.

If you decide to purchase a server cabinet with a glass door from us, we always advise to install a fan unit to dispose of the warm air generated by your equipment.

Why choose a server cabinet with a perforated door?
A perforated door provides better ventilation and is usually used when several servers are placed in the cabinet. These server cabinets feature a perforated metal door at the front as well as at the back.

Why choose a wall mount or free-standing server cabinet?
The choice of a wall mount or a regular server cabinet is entirely dependent on the space you need in the cabinet and the space provided for the cabinet. If you need a cabinet with more than 18U, you will need a free-standing server cabinet. If you want to and can work with 18U or less, you still have the choice between a wall mount or free-standing server cabinet.

What are the advantages of an unmounted server cabinet?
The big advantage of an unmounted server cabinet is its price. Unmounted server cabinets are up to 44% cheaper, as the cabinet itself still needs to be assembled. In addition, the shipping costs for unmounted server cabinets are only € 4.95 for the Netherlands and € 8.95 for Belgium.

Server cabinets are easy to assemble in ± 45 minutes with the manual provided.

What is the best way to set up my server cabinet?
There is no perfect 'standard' to set up your server cabinet the best way. It purely depends on your own preferences and what you are going to install. However, we always recommend opting for an 8-PDU power supply (can be placed vertically) and a cable entry with a brush (to keep your cabinet closed).
Every interior is custom-made, we like to think along with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a tailor-made solution.

What is a relay rack?
A relay rack is an open server cabinet consisting of only a base, a roof plate and two side panels. This is useful if a lot of work has to be done in the rack itself which only fits in a closed space. As the cabinet does not feature any housing, the sound pollution can be disturbing in an open space (e.g. in an office).

What does the number of units stand for with regard to server cabinets?
Each server cabinet has a certain height, which is indicated in "U" (Unit). The following rule of thumb applies: “1U=1,75 inch = 4,445 cm“.

For example, if you choose an 18U Server cabinet, you can place 18 units in this cabinet.

What is a cable entry with brush used for?
A cable entry panel with brush ensures that the cabling is better protected when feeding it into the server cabinet. In addition, it ensures that the cabinet remains 'closed' and is less affected by dust from the outside.

When do I need to use a fan set?
If a lot of heat generating equipment is to be placed in the server cabinet, it is advisable to install a fan set. This ensures heat dissipation from the closed cabinet and prevents devices from overheating.

What is the difference between UTP Cat5e and UTP Cat6 cables?
The main difference between Cat5e and Cat6 is the maximum bandwidth that can be achieved with the individual cable.
Cat5e = 100 Mhz

Cat6 = 250 Mhz

In principle, both cables can reach a speed of 10/100/1000 Mbit (max. 1 Gbit), however, especially for longer distances it is advisable to choose Cat6, because it is guaranteed that it will reach a speed of 1000 Mbit (1 Gbit).

Are connectors already attached to the UTP cabling?
All cables up to a length of 50 meters are provided with connectors.
Coiled cables on reels are not provided with connectors. UTP cabling is equipped with unshielded connectors and FTP/SFTP cabling is equipped with shielded connectors.

What kind of connectors should I use?
If you want to use a UTP cable for an end user with an analogue telephone connection, for example a fax device, modem or telephone, you have to choose RJ-11 connectors.
If you want to use a UTP cable for Ethernet connections or ISDN telephony, you will need RJ-45 connectors.
With an RJ-45 connector there is still a choice between Shielded and Unshielded connectors. Shielded connectors are used for additionally shielded cables (FTP) and unshielded connectors can be used for normal UTP cabling.
Both Cat5e and Cat6 connectors can be attached to a Cat5e cable. It is not recommended to attach Cat5e connectors to a Cat6 cable because of data loss due to the limited throughput of the connector.
If you are going to install a solid UTP cable, we recommend using the connectors provided for this purpose.

When should I choose cables with additional shielding (FTP/SFTP)?
If many (different) types of cables come together (e.g. through a cable duct), interference may occur. This causes data loss on the cable, which can be prevented by choosing an cable (FTP/SFTP) with additional shielding.
With an additionally shielded cable, the wires are surrounded by a foil, offering better protection against electromagnetic interference.

Why are UTP cables available in different colours?
Colour identification is a popular solution for cable management.

It makes it easy to keep track of which cable with which colour is connected to which device.
We recommend coming up with your individual colour code, e.g.:

Red: for PCs
Green : for printers
Yellow: fax devices

etc.

What tools do I need to attach connectors to a UTP cable?
If you want to connect an RJ45 connector to a UTP cable, you will need a crimping tool.
We also recommend a cable stripper for the correct stripping of the cable and possibly a network cable tester for testing your cable.

I'm looking for a product but can't find it on site?
If you are looking for a certain product and you cannot find it in our webshop, you can always contact us by phone or e-mail, there is always a good chance that we can help you anyway!