Is there a market for custom home rack enclosures?

[Dae]

I've extensive metal fabrication facilities at my disposal and am currently finishing up a custom server cabinet to be placed within my home. I have designed my cabinet to be aesthetically pleasing, promote proper ventilation & cooling, and minimize noise. The project made me wonder what kind of market exists for such a thing. Opinions?

 

[snaptec]

Maybe not the answer you expect:
https://wiki.eth0.nl/index.php/LackRack


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[Ericloewe]

There might be a market for this, but a significant portion of that market might be okay with an off-the-shelf solution, cutting into the profit margin.

 

[joeschmuck]

@Dae
It is a bit difficult to know what you mean by custom and aesthetically pleasing without seeing the case both with and without a motherboard installed. So photos and some general dimensional specs would be required. And although some people would spend the money on a custom case, it would depend on the cost since you would have to compete against normal very good quality cases. Myself, I prefer a sturdy steel case that will last. I don't need fancy graphics or paint on it either, although that could be an option for someone but unless you're an artist, I'd leave that to someone else.

So please post some photos and specs, maybe someone would like a custom case. Will it become a big business? It would have to be marketed to much more than just FreeNAS systems, it would need to be marketed to all home users, and then you are apt to end up with a set of a few standard cases and then true custom cases. If this is just a side project then I think you could make a few bucks doing this.

 

[maglin]

Joeschmuck I believe the OP is talking about a rack and not a case. Here is my crappy setup currently.

Not much to looks at but gets the job done.


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[jgreco]

Joeschmuck I believe the OP is talking about a rack and not a case. Here is my crappy setup currently.

Not much to looks at but gets the job done.

That's crappy server pr0n. Very.... modest... with the doors all closed and not showin' any gear.

 

[joeschmuck]

Okay, I interpreted it as a case because in my tiny little mind, I couldn't see having a computer rack in my home.

But still, I'm not sure what a custom rack would look like and I don't think I'd want a rack in my living room. I have seen small racks used to custom A/V and home automation systems. Of course those things are never cheap when you tack on the word "custom" or "A/V".

 

[Mirfster]

I couldn't see having a computer rack in my home.

"...Yet"... Give it time and I am sure you will be there one day. Minus well just give in to it now and start plotting/planning how and where you will eventually locate it. ;)

 

[jgreco]

Okay, I interpreted it as a case because in my tiny little mind, I couldn't see having a computer rack in my home.

But still, I'm not sure what a custom rack would look like and I don't think I'd want a rack in my living room. I have seen small racks used to custom A/V and home automation systems. Of course those things are never cheap when you tack on the word "custom" or "A/V".

Actually you can often find a cheap computer rack for your basement or whatever, by cruising Craigslist looking for companies that have downsized their on-site IT operations. Sometimes they'll be free.

 

[joeschmuck]

Actually you can often find a cheap computer rack for your basement or whatever, by cruising Craigslist looking for companies that have downsized their on-site IT operations. Sometimes they'll be free.

Ah but if things go as planned I will no longer have a basement once I move back to Florida, hopefully next year. Basements there end up becoming a pool :). But I get the point. I do like Free.

 

[maglin]

Yep. The reason I didn't open the door is I don't have my patch panel mounted along with my newish switch just sitting on a self I made. Also can't afford the rails for my 3U enclosure. If you knew how many of the nice server racks I had along with what I paid you would choke.

Now I'll have to show you all a picture of my garage with 8 server racks on the wall. I'll do that tomorrow. It's 150*F in there At The Moment.


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[jgreco]

Ah but if things go as planned I will no longer have a basement once I move back to Florida, hopefully next year. Basements there end up becoming a pool :). But I get the point. I do like Free.

I hear the hurricanes are handy for keeping airflow moving, especially once they rip off your roof.

 

[joeschmuck]

I hear the hurricanes are handy for keeping airflow moving, especially once they rip off your roof.

It's the vortex which really helps keep things cool.

It's 150*F in there At The Moment.

OUCH! That's Hot! Maybe not such a good place to locate a server, but you did say server racks, not servers.

 

[Mirfster]

Ah but if things go as planned I will no longer have a basement once I move back to Florida, hopefully next year. Basements there end up becoming a pool :). But I get the point. I do like Free.

A little 12U or even 22U would fit nicely in the living room.. ;)

 

[jgreco]

A little 12U or even 22U would fit nicely in the living room.. ;)

Oh heck with that, go full 48U rack with a door and you can tell everyone it's a portable closet.

 

[acp]

I hear the hurricanes are handy for keeping airflow moving, especially once they rip off your roof.

And all that rain will water cool all the servers. All your heat problems will be no more.

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[Bidule0hm]

You want rain? come here... We should have sun and 30 °C but it's just 15 °C and rain over and over since this winter...

 

[John McNeese]

Yes I'm noticing more homes in California being build with a custom NAS system already in the home(s). From what I understand it can slightly increase the property value of the homes with the NAS box located in the house. Most the ones I've seen are the 2bay, 4bay or 8bay Mini-ITX systems.

 

[Stux]

Yes I'm noticing more homes in California being build with a custom NAS system already in the home(s). From what I understand it can slightly increase the property value of the homes with the NAS box located in the house. Most the ones I've seen are the 2bay, 4bay or 8bay Mini-ITX systems.

Node 304, job done ;)

 

[Ericloewe]

When you're talking hundreds of kilobucks, I find it hard to believe that a small NAS server is going to have a measurable impact on perceived value.