Choosing the right enclosure for your IT infrastructure is a crucial decision that impacts space utilisation, scalability, security, and accessibility. The two primary options are wall mounted enclosures and floor standing enclosures. Understanding their differences is key to making an informed choice.
The type of enclosure you select dictates how you manage and protect your networking equipment and servers. A well-chosen IT enclosure, whether a wall mounted enclosure or a floor standing enclosure, provides a secure, organised environment that optimises performance and simplifies maintenance.
A wall mounted enclosure is a compact cabinet that attaches directly to a wall. These enclosures are designed for situations where floor space is limited, like a closet, hallway, or small office. They are ideal for housing network switches and other small-scale hardware.
A floor standing enclosure, also known as a server rack or cabinet, is a large, standalone unit that sits on the floor. These are the workhorses of data centres and server rooms, providing a robust and scalable solution for housing a significant amount of IT equipment. They are essential for managing high-density server configurations.
The main differences lie in size, capacity, and application. Wall mounted enclosures are smaller, support less weight, and are used for a limited number of devices. Floor standing enclosures are much larger, can support a far greater weight load, and are designed for core network infrastructure. They offer more space for cooling and power.
Choose a wall mounted enclosure when you have limited equipment and need to save floor space. They are perfect for small businesses, branch offices, or for extending network access to a specific area of a building. Their discreet size and ease of installation make them a practical solution for edge computing.
Rittal is a leading provider of high-quality IT enclosures, offering a comprehensive range for both wall mounted and floor standing applications. Their product line includes compact solutions like the Rittal Flatbox, which offers a flat-packed design for easy transport and tool-free assembly, and the AX IT, a robust wall-mounted enclosure with a high protection category for industrial environments. For situations with limited depth, Rittal offers vertical mount solutions, allowing equipment to be installed parallel to the wall to save space. The AX 3-part wall-mounted enclosure provides easy access to cabling and components with its three-part design. For core network infrastructure, Rittal offers sophisticated server rack options like the VX IT, designed for maximum cooling and efficiency in data centres. Rittal’s commitment to quality ensures a secure and reliable home for your IT equipment.
Generally, no. While some smaller, specialised wall mounted enclosures can hold a single, lightweight server, they are not designed for the weight and cooling needs of standard enterprise servers. Servers are best housed in floor standing enclosures.
Yes, absolutely. Floor standing enclosures are designed with advanced cooling in mind. They have more space for airflow and can be integrated with dedicated cooling solutions, such as fans and liquid cooling systems, to manage the heat generated by high-density server deployments.
The weight limit varies significantly by model, but most wall mounted enclosures have a maximum capacity of around 20 to 90 kg. Always check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure the enclosure can safely support your equipment