WO2020124140A1 - Secure enclosure for server rack - Google Patents

Secure enclosure for server rack Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020124140A1
WO2020124140A1 PCT/AU2019/051390 AU2019051390W WO2020124140A1 WO 2020124140 A1 WO2020124140 A1 WO 2020124140A1 AU 2019051390 W AU2019051390 W AU 2019051390W WO 2020124140 A1 WO2020124140 A1 WO 2020124140A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mounting
flange
housing
enclosure
mounting apertures
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2019/051390
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Humberto Mesa
Ian Allison
Original Assignee
Wilson & Gilkes Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wilson & Gilkes Pty Ltd filed Critical Wilson & Gilkes Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2020124140A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020124140A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
    • H05K7/1485—Servers; Data center rooms, e.g. 19-inch computer racks
    • H05K7/1488—Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures
    • H05K7/1495—Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures providing data protection in case of earthquakes, floods, storms, nuclear explosions, intrusions, fire
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
    • H05K7/1422—Printed circuit boards receptacles, e.g. stacked structures, electronic circuit modules or box like frames
    • H05K7/1435—Expandable constructions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
    • H05K7/1485—Servers; Data center rooms, e.g. 19-inch computer racks
    • H05K7/1487—Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
    • H05K7/1485—Servers; Data center rooms, e.g. 19-inch computer racks
    • H05K7/1488—Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures
    • H05K7/1489—Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/18—Construction of rack or frame
    • H05K7/183—Construction of rack or frame support rails therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/18—Construction of rack or frame
    • H05K7/186—Construction of rack or frame for supporting telecommunication equipment

Definitions

  • the disclosure herein relates to an enclosure for installation in a server rack and, in particular, to such an enclosure that is configured to mount and physically secure IT hardware in the server rack.
  • the enclosure has been developed primarily for the mounting and physical securing of vulnerable IT hardware and/or IT hardware that contains sensitive data, so as to resist such hardware from being interfered with and/or such data from being accessed.
  • a standard server rack also referred to as a data rack, has front pair and rear pair of mounting rails that are, in use, oriented vertically.
  • the rails of the front pair are spaced apart by a standard width, as are the rails of the rear pair.
  • the rails have mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting IT equipment to the rails.
  • the mounting apertures are arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced bays referred to as “rack units”, there being three mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit.
  • IT equipment for installation in the server rack has a width less than or equal to the standard width, a height of one or more rack units, and mounting formations thereon that are spaced apart in a width direction by the standard width and in a height direction by a spacing complimentary with that of the mounting apertures.
  • a typical standard width for a server rack is 19 inches and a typical rack unit is 44.45mm high.
  • An example of a server rack having this typical configuration is shown in Fig. 1.
  • the standardised configuration of a server rack presents a difficulty when mounting an enclosure in the server rack for physically securing IT equipment in the server rack, as the enclosure must be configured to fit the standard width of the server rack without the enclosure encroaching on the standard width and thereby compromising the ability to mount IT equipment of standard configuration inside the enclosure.
  • the words “comprise”,“include” and“have”, and variations such as “comprises”, “includes”,“has”, “comprising”,“including” and“having”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps;
  • the term“rack unit” is to be understood as having the same meaning as ascribed by EIA-310-D, Cabinet, racks, panels and associated equipment standard , and the equivalent IEC 60297-3-100, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment - dimensions of mechanical structures of the 4.82.6 (19 in) series - Part 3-100: Basic dimensions of front panels, sub-racks, chassis, racks and cabinets , the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by way of reference; and
  • directional words such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, left, right, front and rear, relate to an operational orientation of the apparatus.
  • a secure enclosure for a server rack having a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail, a front right rail, a rear left rail and a rear right rail, the left and right rails being spaced apart by a predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities, the rails having mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting IT equipment to the rails, the mounting apertures being arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being a predetermined number of mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit, the enclosure comprising: a housing of rectangular cross section for installation in the server rack, the housing having a left side associated with the left rails and a right side associated with the right rails, a front associated with the front rails and a rear associated with the rear rails, a front left of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front left rail and a front right of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front right rail
  • At least one front left attachment flange associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front left rail of the server rack such that first fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the at least one front left attachment flange to the front left rail;
  • front left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front left attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange being configured to receive second fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front left mounting flange;
  • At least one front right attachment flange associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front right rail of the server rack such that third fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the at least one front right attachment flange to the front right rail;
  • a front right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front right attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange being configured to receive fourth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front right mounting flange;
  • a front closure associated with the front of the housing to close the housing opening at the front of the housing
  • a rear closure associated with the rear of the housing to close the housing opening at the rear of the housing
  • a rear left of the housing may be configured for fixed connection to the rear left rail and a rear right of the housing may be configured for fixed connection to the rear right rail.
  • the enclosure may comprise at least one rear left attachment flange for fixed connection to the rear left of the housing and having a plurality of openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the rear left rail of the server rack such that fifth fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the rear left attachment flange to the rear left rail.
  • a rear left mounting flange may be fixedly connected relative to the rear left attachment flange and offset rearwardly thereof, the rear left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange being configured to receive sixth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the rear left mounting flange, at least some of the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange being sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the rear left attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange for engaging the fifth fasteners.
  • the enclosure may comprise at least one rear right attachment flange for fixed connection to the rear right of the housing and having a plurality of openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the rear right rail of the server rack such that seventh fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the rear right attachment flange to the rear right rail.
  • a rear right mounting flange may be fixedly connected relative to the rear right attachment flange and offset rearwardly thereof, the rear right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange being configured to receive eighth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the rear right mounting flange, at least some of the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange being sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the rear right attachment flange for insertion of an
  • the enclosure may be modular, having a first portion for engagement with a front side of the front rails and a second portion for engagement with a rear side of the front rails.
  • the first portion may comprise the front mounting flanges and the second portion may comprise the housing.
  • the at least one front left attachment flange may comprise a first front left attachment flange and a second front left attachment flange, the first front left attachment flange being part of the first portion and the second front left attachment flange being part of the second portion.
  • the at least one front right attachment flange may comprise a first front right attachment flange and a second front right attachment flange, the first front right attachment flange being part of the first portion and the second front right attachment flange being part of the second portion.
  • the first portion may comprise a front fascia panel.
  • the front closure may be movably connected, such as hingedly or slidably connected, to the front fascia panel.
  • the enclosure may comprise a third portion for engagement with a rear side of the rear rails.
  • the second portion may engage a front side of the rear rails.
  • the third portion may comprise the rear mounting flanges.
  • the at least one rear left attachment flange may comprise a first rear left attachment flange and a second rear left attachment flange, the first rear left attachment flange being part of the third portion and the second rear left attachment flange being part of the second portion.
  • the at least one rear right attachment flange may comprise a first rear right attachment flange and a second rear right attachment flange, the first rear right attachment flange being part of the third portion and the second rear right attachment flange being part of the second portion.
  • the third portion may comprise a rear fascia panel.
  • the rear closure may be movably connected, such as hingedly or slidably connected, to the rear fascia panel.
  • the front closure may take the form of a door that is movable between an open configuration for access to the housing opening and a closed configuration for securing of the housing opening.
  • the front closure may comprise a lock for securing it in its closed configuration.
  • the rear closure may comprise a lock for securing it in its closed configuration.
  • One or all of the locks may be key operable.
  • the front left rail may be sandwiched between the at least one front left attachment flange and the front left of the housing.
  • the front right rail may be sandwiched between the at least one front left attachment flange and the front left of the housing.
  • the first and third fasteners can be installed through their respective pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures and into openings in the front of the housing to facilitate fastening of the attachment flanges to the front rails and to the front of the housing.
  • the fifth and seventh fasteners can be installed through their respective pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures and into openings in the rear of the housing to facilitate fastening of the attachment flanges to the rear rails and to the rear of the housing.
  • An interior height of the enclosure may be one or more rack units.
  • An exterior height of the enclosure may be up to one rack unit greater than its interior height.
  • the predetermined number of mounting apertures may be three.
  • a said rack unit may have a vertical height of 44.45mm (1.75 in).
  • At least some of the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange may be sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the at least one front left attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange for engaging the first fasteners.
  • At least some of the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange may be sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the at least one front right attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange for engaging the third fasteners.
  • the housing may be adjustable in length, for example by comprising two
  • a server rack comprising:
  • the rails comprising a front left rail, a front right rail, a rear left rail and a rear right rail, the left and right rails being spaced apart by a predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities, the rails having mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting equipment to the rails, the mounting apertures being arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being a predetermined number of mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit, and
  • a secure enclosure comprising:
  • a housing of rectangular cross section installed in the server rack, the housing having a left side associated with the left rails and a right side associated with the right rails, a front associated with the front rails and a rear associated with the rear rails, a front left of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front left rail and a front right of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front right rail, and a housing opening extending through the housing from the front to the rear of the housing;
  • At least one front left attachment flange associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front left rail of the server rack, wherein first fasteners extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the at least one front left attachment flange to the front left rail;
  • front left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front left attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange being configured to receive second fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front left mounting flange;
  • At least one front right attachment flange associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front right rail of the server rack, wherein third fasteners extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the at least one front right attachment flange to the front right rail;
  • a front right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front right attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange being configured to receive fourth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front right mounting flange;
  • a front closure associated with the front of the housing to close the housing opening at the front of the housing
  • a rear closure associated with the rear of the housing to close the housing opening at the rear of the housing
  • a volume enclosed by the enclosure has a minimum internal width no less than the predetermined width.
  • the server rack defined in paragraph [0017] above, wherein the enclosure is as defined in any one of paragraphs [0008] to [0016] above.
  • the rack unit(s) of the enclosure may be vertically offset from the most closely vertically aligned rack unit(s) of the server rack.
  • Also disclosed herein is a method of securing IT equipment in a server rack, the method comprising:
  • FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of a server rack and secure enclosure therefore embodying principles disclosed herein;
  • FIG. 2 is a front left perspective view of the server rack and secure enclosure of FIG. i ;
  • FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a partially exploded front left perspective view of the secure enclosure of
  • FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • FIG. 5 is a is a partially exploded front right perspective view of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the front fascia and part of the housing of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a front left perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the secure enclosure of FIG. 7. Description of Embodiments
  • the enclosure 200 has an interior height Hi of two rack units and an exterior height H e of three rack units.
  • the server rack 100 comprises a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail 102, a front right rail 104, a rear left rail 106 and a rear right rail 108.
  • the left 102, 106 and right 104, 108 rails being spaced apart by a
  • the predetermined width is 451mm (17.8 in).
  • the rails 102, 104, 106, 108 having mounting apertures 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a therein for receiving fasteners for mounting equipment to the rails.
  • the mounting apertures 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a are arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being three mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit.
  • the secure enclosure 200 is modular, comprising a first portion in the form of a housing 202, and second 204 and third 206 portions each in the form of a fascia panel and door assembly.
  • the volume enclosed by the enclosure 200 has a minimum internal width of 451mm (17.8 in), being equal to the spacing between the innermost extremities of the left 102, 106 and right 104, 108 rails.
  • the housing 202 is of rectangular cross section for installation in the server rack 100.
  • the housing 202 has a left side 202a associated with the left rails and a right side 202b associated with the right rails, a front 202c associated with the front rails and a rear 202d associated with the rear rails.
  • a front left of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202e for fixed connection to the front left rail 102 and a front right of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202f for fixed connection to the front right rail 104.
  • a rear left of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202g for fixed connection to the rear left rail 106 and a rear right of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202h for fixed connection to the rear right rail 108.
  • a housing opening 202i extends through the housing 202 from the front to the rear thereof.
  • the housing 202 is formed from two telescopically engaged portions 202j, 202k to facilitate the enclosure 200 being adjusted in length to cater for different spacings between the front 102, 104 and rear 106, 108 rails.
  • Assemblies 204 and 206 are identical but are rotated through 180 degrees relative to each other and connected to opposite ends of the housing 202. As such, in the interest of brevity, only assembly 204 will be described.
  • Assembly 204 comprises a fascia panel 204a and a closure in the form of a door 204b hingedly connected thereto.
  • Fascia panel 204a comprises a left attachment flange 204c associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings 204d therein. Attachment openings 204d are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures 102a in the front left rail of the server rack, wherein fasteners 208 extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the attachment flange 204c to the front left rail 102. Fasteners 208 also extend into openings 2021 in attachment flange 202e of the housing, to fasten attachment flange 204c of the fascia panel 204a to attachment flange 202e of the housing with the front left rail 102 sandwiched therebetween.
  • Fascia panel 204a comprises a mounting flange 204e fixedly connected relative to attachment flange 204c and offset forwardly thereof.
  • Mounting flange 204e has a plurality of mounting apertures 204f therein.
  • Mounting apertures 204f receive fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment of standard configuration to mounting flange 204e. At least some of mounting apertures 204f are sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings 204d for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures 204f for engaging fasteners 208.
  • fascia panel 204a comprises a right attachment flange 204g associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings 204h therein.
  • Attachment openings 204h are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures 104a in the front right rail of the server rack, wherein fasteners 212 extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings 204h and mounting apertures 104a to fasten attachment flange 204g to the front right rail 104. Fasteners 212 also extend into openings 202m in attachment flange 202f of the housing, to fasten attachment flange 204g of the fascia panel 204a to attachment flange 202f of the housing with the front right rail 104 sandwiched therebetween.
  • Fascia panel 204a comprises a mounting flange 204i fixedly connected relative to attachment flange 204g and offset forwardly thereof.
  • Mounting flange 204i has a plurality of mounting apertures 204j therein. Mounting apertures 204j receive fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment of standard configuration to mounting flange 204i. At least some of mounting apertures 204j are sufficiently aligned with attachment openings 204h for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures 204j for engaging fasteners 212.
  • Door 204b is movable between an open configuration for access to the housing opening 202i and a closed configuration for securing of the housing opening. Door 204b comprises a lock 216 for securing it in its closed configuration. Lock 216 may be operable by a key, which may be mechanical, electronic, magnetic or of any other kind.
  • assembly 206 is connected to the rear rails 106, 108 and to the rear of housing 200 in the same way that assembly 204 is connected to the front rails 102, 104 and to the front of housing 200.
  • the mounting apertures 204f, 204j of the enclosure 200 are offset from the most closely vertically aligned mounting apertures 102a, 104a of the server rack rails 102, 104, resulting in the rack unit(s) of the enclosure 200 being vertically offset from the most closely vertically aligned rack unit(s) of the server rack 100.
  • FIGs. 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of a secure enclosure 200’ for installation in the server rack 100.
  • Secure enclosure 200’ is the same as secure enclosure 200 apart from door 204b of secure enclosure 200’ having an aperture 204b 1 therein to allow patch cabling to enter and exit the enclosure 200’.
  • aperture 204b 1 is adjustable to substantially match the size of a cable bundle that is to be passed therethrough. Adjustability of the aperture 204b 1 is facilitated by shutters 204b2 which partially close the aperture 204b 1.
  • Shutters 204b2 are removably secured to the door 204b by fasteners such as wing nuts 204b3 that threadedly engage bolts extending from the shutters 204b2.
  • Advantages of the secure enclosure 200, 200’ include:
  • IT hardware and/or IT hardware that contains sensitive data so as to resist such hardware from being interfered with and/or such data from being accessed
  • the enclosure 200, 200’ not encroaching on the width of the server rack 100, such that the enclosure 200, 200’ does not compromise the ability to mount IT equipment of standard configuration inside the enclosure 200, 200’ when the enclosure is installed in the server rack.
  • the first and third attachment flanges may be omitted and the front and rear fascia panels may instead be fastened to the housing, and thereby to the rails, by fasteners extending through openings in flanges extending along the top and bottom of the fascia panels and corresponding openings extending along the top and bottom of the housing at each end thereof;
  • the enclosure 200, 200’ being of a different size, such as having an interior height of one rack unit and an exterior height of two rack units, or having an interior height of three or more rack units and an exterior height of one rack unit more than its interior height;
  • the hinged doors of assemblies 204, 206 may be substituted with another form of closure, such as a sliding gate or a removable panel secured by fasteners, a latch or a locking mechanism; and/or
  • Assembly 206 may differ from assembly 204 and, for example, may instead of a door have a panel fixedly connected, such as by welding or riveting, to the rear of the housing.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a secure enclosure for a server rack. The secure enclosure is modular, comprising a first portion in the form of a housing, and second and third portions each in the form of a fascia panel and door assembly. Fascia panel comprises a mounting flange fixedly connected relative to attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, and a mounting flange fixedly connected relative to attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof. Mounting flanges, having plurality of mounting apertures to receive fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment of standard configuration thereto. The volume enclosed by the enclosure, has a minimum internal width no less than the width between inner edges of left and right rails of the server rack, such that the enclosure does not encroach on this width and thereby compromise the ability to mount IT equipment of standard configuration inside the enclosure.

Description

"Secure enclosure for server rack"
Cross-reference
[0001] This application is related to Australian Patent Application No. 2018282282, filed 18 December 2018 and entitled“Secure enclosure for server rack”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by way of reference.
Technical Field
[0002] The disclosure herein relates to an enclosure for installation in a server rack and, in particular, to such an enclosure that is configured to mount and physically secure IT hardware in the server rack. The enclosure has been developed primarily for the mounting and physical securing of vulnerable IT hardware and/or IT hardware that contains sensitive data, so as to resist such hardware from being interfered with and/or such data from being accessed.
Background
[0003] A standard server rack, also referred to as a data rack, has front pair and rear pair of mounting rails that are, in use, oriented vertically. The rails of the front pair are spaced apart by a standard width, as are the rails of the rear pair. The rails have mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting IT equipment to the rails. The mounting apertures are arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced bays referred to as “rack units”, there being three mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit. IT equipment for installation in the server rack has a width less than or equal to the standard width, a height of one or more rack units, and mounting formations thereon that are spaced apart in a width direction by the standard width and in a height direction by a spacing complimentary with that of the mounting apertures. A typical standard width for a server rack is 19 inches and a typical rack unit is 44.45mm high. An example of a server rack having this typical configuration is shown in Fig. 1.
[0004] The standardised configuration of a server rack presents a difficulty when mounting an enclosure in the server rack for physically securing IT equipment in the server rack, as the enclosure must be configured to fit the standard width of the server rack without the enclosure encroaching on the standard width and thereby compromising the ability to mount IT equipment of standard configuration inside the enclosure.
[0005] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.
[0006] Throughout this specification:
the words "comprise",“include” and“have”, and variations such as "comprises", “includes”,“has”, "comprising",“including” and“having”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps; the term“rack unit” is to be understood as having the same meaning as ascribed by EIA-310-D, Cabinet, racks, panels and associated equipment standard , and the equivalent IEC 60297-3-100, Mechanical structures for electronic equipment - dimensions of mechanical structures of the 4.82.6 (19 in) series - Part 3-100: Basic dimensions of front panels, sub-racks, chassis, racks and cabinets , the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by way of reference; and
directional words, such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, left, right, front and rear, relate to an operational orientation of the apparatus.
Summary
[0007] Disclosed herein is a secure enclosure for a server rack, the server rack having a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail, a front right rail, a rear left rail and a rear right rail, the left and right rails being spaced apart by a predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities, the rails having mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting IT equipment to the rails, the mounting apertures being arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being a predetermined number of mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit, the enclosure comprising: a housing of rectangular cross section for installation in the server rack, the housing having a left side associated with the left rails and a right side associated with the right rails, a front associated with the front rails and a rear associated with the rear rails, a front left of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front left rail and a front right of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front right rail, and a housing opening extending through the housing from the front to the rear of the housing;
at least one front left attachment flange associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front left rail of the server rack such that first fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the at least one front left attachment flange to the front left rail;
a front left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front left attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange being configured to receive second fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front left mounting flange;
at least one front right attachment flange associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front right rail of the server rack such that third fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the at least one front right attachment flange to the front right rail;
a front right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front right attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange being configured to receive fourth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front right mounting flange;
a front closure associated with the front of the housing to close the housing opening at the front of the housing; and
a rear closure associated with the rear of the housing to close the housing opening at the rear of the housing,
wherein a volume enclosed by the enclosure has a minimum internal width no less than the predetermined width. [0008] A rear left of the housing may be configured for fixed connection to the rear left rail and a rear right of the housing may be configured for fixed connection to the rear right rail. The enclosure may comprise at least one rear left attachment flange for fixed connection to the rear left of the housing and having a plurality of openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the rear left rail of the server rack such that fifth fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the rear left attachment flange to the rear left rail. A rear left mounting flange may be fixedly connected relative to the rear left attachment flange and offset rearwardly thereof, the rear left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange being configured to receive sixth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the rear left mounting flange, at least some of the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange being sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the rear left attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange for engaging the fifth fasteners. The enclosure may comprise at least one rear right attachment flange for fixed connection to the rear right of the housing and having a plurality of openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the rear right rail of the server rack such that seventh fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the rear right attachment flange to the rear right rail. A rear right mounting flange may be fixedly connected relative to the rear right attachment flange and offset rearwardly thereof, the rear right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange being configured to receive eighth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the rear right mounting flange, at least some of the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange being sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the rear right attachment flange for insertion of an
appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange for engaging the seventh fasteners.
[0009] The enclosure may be modular, having a first portion for engagement with a front side of the front rails and a second portion for engagement with a rear side of the front rails. The first portion may comprise the front mounting flanges and the second portion may comprise the housing. The at least one front left attachment flange may comprise a first front left attachment flange and a second front left attachment flange, the first front left attachment flange being part of the first portion and the second front left attachment flange being part of the second portion. The at least one front right attachment flange may comprise a first front right attachment flange and a second front right attachment flange, the first front right attachment flange being part of the first portion and the second front right attachment flange being part of the second portion. The first portion may comprise a front fascia panel. The front closure may be movably connected, such as hingedly or slidably connected, to the front fascia panel.
[0010] The enclosure may comprise a third portion for engagement with a rear side of the rear rails. The second portion may engage a front side of the rear rails. The third portion may comprise the rear mounting flanges. The at least one rear left attachment flange may comprise a first rear left attachment flange and a second rear left attachment flange, the first rear left attachment flange being part of the third portion and the second rear left attachment flange being part of the second portion. The at least one rear right attachment flange may comprise a first rear right attachment flange and a second rear right attachment flange, the first rear right attachment flange being part of the third portion and the second rear right attachment flange being part of the second portion. The third portion may comprise a rear fascia panel. The rear closure may be movably connected, such as hingedly or slidably connected, to the rear fascia panel.
[0011] The front closure may take the form of a door that is movable between an open configuration for access to the housing opening and a closed configuration for securing of the housing opening. The front closure may comprise a lock for securing it in its closed configuration. The rear closure may comprise a lock for securing it in its closed configuration. One or all of the locks may be key operable.
[0012] The front left rail may be sandwiched between the at least one front left attachment flange and the front left of the housing. The front right rail may be sandwiched between the at least one front left attachment flange and the front left of the housing.
[0013] The first and third fasteners can be installed through their respective pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures and into openings in the front of the housing to facilitate fastening of the attachment flanges to the front rails and to the front of the housing. The fifth and seventh fasteners can be installed through their respective pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures and into openings in the rear of the housing to facilitate fastening of the attachment flanges to the rear rails and to the rear of the housing.
[0014] An interior height of the enclosure may be one or more rack units. An exterior height of the enclosure may be up to one rack unit greater than its interior height. The predetermined number of mounting apertures may be three. A said rack unit may have a vertical height of 44.45mm (1.75 in).
[0015] At least some of the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange may be sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the at least one front left attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange for engaging the first fasteners. At least some of the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange may be sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the at least one front right attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange for engaging the third fasteners.
[0016] The housing may be adjustable in length, for example by comprising two
telescopically engaged housing portions.
[0017] Also disclosed herein is a server rack comprising:
a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail, a front right rail, a rear left rail and a rear right rail, the left and right rails being spaced apart by a predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities, the rails having mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting equipment to the rails, the mounting apertures being arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being a predetermined number of mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit, and
a secure enclosure comprising:
a housing of rectangular cross section installed in the server rack, the housing having a left side associated with the left rails and a right side associated with the right rails, a front associated with the front rails and a rear associated with the rear rails, a front left of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front left rail and a front right of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front right rail, and a housing opening extending through the housing from the front to the rear of the housing;
at least one front left attachment flange associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front left rail of the server rack, wherein first fasteners extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the at least one front left attachment flange to the front left rail;
a front left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front left attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange being configured to receive second fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front left mounting flange;
at least one front right attachment flange associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front right rail of the server rack, wherein third fasteners extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the at least one front right attachment flange to the front right rail;
a front right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front right attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange being configured to receive fourth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front right mounting flange;
a front closure associated with the front of the housing to close the housing opening at the front of the housing; and
a rear closure associated with the rear of the housing to close the housing opening at the rear of the housing,
wherein a volume enclosed by the enclosure has a minimum internal width no less than the predetermined width.
[0018] The server rack defined in paragraph [0017] above, wherein the enclosure is as defined in any one of paragraphs [0008] to [0016] above. [0019] The rack unit(s) of the enclosure may be vertically offset from the most closely vertically aligned rack unit(s) of the server rack.
[0020] Also disclosed herein is a method of securing IT equipment in a server rack, the method comprising:
providing the server rack as defined in any one of paragraphs [0017] to [0019] above;
installing IT equipment in the enclosure; and
aligning one or more mounting apertures of the IT equipment with a corresponding one or more of the mounting apertures of the mounting flanges and fastening the IT equipment installed in the enclosure to the enclosure by engaging one or more fasteners in the aligned mounting apertures of the IT equipment and mounting apertures of the mounting flanges.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0021] A server rack and secure enclosure therefor embodying principles disclosed herein will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of a server rack and secure enclosure therefore embodying principles disclosed herein;
FIG. 2 is a front left perspective view of the server rack and secure enclosure of FIG. i ;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded front left perspective view of the secure enclosure of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a is a partially exploded front right perspective view of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the front fascia and part of the housing of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a front left perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the secure enclosure of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the secure enclosure of FIG. 7. Description of Embodiments
[0022] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a server rack 100 and secure enclosure 200 therefore embodying principles disclosed herein. The enclosure 200 has an interior height Hi of two rack units and an exterior height He of three rack units.
[0023] The server rack 100 comprises a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail 102, a front right rail 104, a rear left rail 106 and a rear right rail 108. The left 102, 106 and right 104, 108 rails being spaced apart by a
predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities. In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined width is 451mm (17.8 in). The rails 102, 104, 106, 108 having mounting apertures 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a therein for receiving fasteners for mounting equipment to the rails. The mounting apertures 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a are arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being three mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit.
[0024] The secure enclosure 200 is modular, comprising a first portion in the form of a housing 202, and second 204 and third 206 portions each in the form of a fascia panel and door assembly. The volume enclosed by the enclosure 200 has a minimum internal width of 451mm (17.8 in), being equal to the spacing between the innermost extremities of the left 102, 106 and right 104, 108 rails.
[0025] The housing 202 is of rectangular cross section for installation in the server rack 100. The housing 202 has a left side 202a associated with the left rails and a right side 202b associated with the right rails, a front 202c associated with the front rails and a rear 202d associated with the rear rails. A front left of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202e for fixed connection to the front left rail 102 and a front right of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202f for fixed connection to the front right rail 104. Similarly, a rear left of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202g for fixed connection to the rear left rail 106 and a rear right of the housing comprises an attachment flange 202h for fixed connection to the rear right rail 108. A housing opening 202i extends through the housing 202 from the front to the rear thereof. The housing 202 is formed from two telescopically engaged portions 202j, 202k to facilitate the enclosure 200 being adjusted in length to cater for different spacings between the front 102, 104 and rear 106, 108 rails. [0026] Assemblies 204 and 206 are identical but are rotated through 180 degrees relative to each other and connected to opposite ends of the housing 202. As such, in the interest of brevity, only assembly 204 will be described. Assembly 204 comprises a fascia panel 204a and a closure in the form of a door 204b hingedly connected thereto. Fascia panel 204a comprises a left attachment flange 204c associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings 204d therein. Attachment openings 204d are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures 102a in the front left rail of the server rack, wherein fasteners 208 extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the attachment flange 204c to the front left rail 102. Fasteners 208 also extend into openings 2021 in attachment flange 202e of the housing, to fasten attachment flange 204c of the fascia panel 204a to attachment flange 202e of the housing with the front left rail 102 sandwiched therebetween. Fascia panel 204a comprises a mounting flange 204e fixedly connected relative to attachment flange 204c and offset forwardly thereof. Mounting flange 204e has a plurality of mounting apertures 204f therein. Mounting apertures 204f receive fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment of standard configuration to mounting flange 204e. At least some of mounting apertures 204f are sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings 204d for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures 204f for engaging fasteners 208.
Similarly, fascia panel 204a comprises a right attachment flange 204g associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings 204h therein.
Attachment openings 204h are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures 104a in the front right rail of the server rack, wherein fasteners 212 extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings 204h and mounting apertures 104a to fasten attachment flange 204g to the front right rail 104. Fasteners 212 also extend into openings 202m in attachment flange 202f of the housing, to fasten attachment flange 204g of the fascia panel 204a to attachment flange 202f of the housing with the front right rail 104 sandwiched therebetween. Fascia panel 204a comprises a mounting flange 204i fixedly connected relative to attachment flange 204g and offset forwardly thereof. Mounting flange 204i has a plurality of mounting apertures 204j therein. Mounting apertures 204j receive fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment of standard configuration to mounting flange 204i. At least some of mounting apertures 204j are sufficiently aligned with attachment openings 204h for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures 204j for engaging fasteners 212. [0027] Door 204b is movable between an open configuration for access to the housing opening 202i and a closed configuration for securing of the housing opening. Door 204b comprises a lock 216 for securing it in its closed configuration. Lock 216 may be operable by a key, which may be mechanical, electronic, magnetic or of any other kind.
[0028] It will be appreciated that assembly 206 is connected to the rear rails 106, 108 and to the rear of housing 200 in the same way that assembly 204 is connected to the front rails 102, 104 and to the front of housing 200.
[0029] To facilitate efficient use of the volume within the enclosure, the mounting apertures 204f, 204j of the enclosure 200 are offset from the most closely vertically aligned mounting apertures 102a, 104a of the server rack rails 102, 104, resulting in the rack unit(s) of the enclosure 200 being vertically offset from the most closely vertically aligned rack unit(s) of the server rack 100.
[0030] FIGs. 7 and 8 show an alternative embodiment of a secure enclosure 200’ for installation in the server rack 100. Secure enclosure 200’ is the same as secure enclosure 200 apart from door 204b of secure enclosure 200’ having an aperture 204b 1 therein to allow patch cabling to enter and exit the enclosure 200’. In the embodiment shown in FIGs. 7 and 8, aperture 204b 1 is adjustable to substantially match the size of a cable bundle that is to be passed therethrough. Adjustability of the aperture 204b 1 is facilitated by shutters 204b2 which partially close the aperture 204b 1. Shutters 204b2 are removably secured to the door 204b by fasteners such as wing nuts 204b3 that threadedly engage bolts extending from the shutters 204b2.
[0031] Advantages of the secure enclosure 200, 200’ include:
• The enclosure 200, 200’ being retrofittable in the server rack 100;
• The enclosure 200, 200’ being adjustable in length;
• The enclosure 200, 200’ facilitating secure physical containment of vulnerable
IT hardware and/or IT hardware that contains sensitive data, so as to resist such hardware from being interfered with and/or such data from being accessed; and
• The enclosure 200, 200’ not encroaching on the width of the server rack 100, such that the enclosure 200, 200’ does not compromise the ability to mount IT equipment of standard configuration inside the enclosure 200, 200’ when the enclosure is installed in the server rack.
[0032] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Examples of such modifications and/or variations include, but are not limited to:
• The first and third attachment flanges may be omitted and the front and rear fascia panels may instead be fastened to the housing, and thereby to the rails, by fasteners extending through openings in flanges extending along the top and bottom of the fascia panels and corresponding openings extending along the top and bottom of the housing at each end thereof;
• The enclosure 200, 200’ being of a different size, such as having an interior height of one rack unit and an exterior height of two rack units, or having an interior height of three or more rack units and an exterior height of one rack unit more than its interior height;
• The hinged doors of assemblies 204, 206 may be substituted with another form of closure, such as a sliding gate or a removable panel secured by fasteners, a latch or a locking mechanism; and/or
• Assembly 206 may differ from assembly 204 and, for example, may instead of a door have a panel fixedly connected, such as by welding or riveting, to the rear of the housing.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A secure enclosure for a server rack, the server rack having a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail, a front right rail, a rear left rail and a rear right rail, the left and right rails being spaced apart by a predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities, the rails having mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting IT equipment to the rails, the mounting apertures being arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being a predetermined number of mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit, the enclosure comprising:
a housing of rectangular cross section for installation in the server rack, the housing having a left side associated with the left rails and a right side associated with the right rails, a front associated with the front rails and a rear associated with the rear rails, a front left of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front left rail and a front right of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front right rail, and a housing opening extending through the housing from the front to the rear of the housing;
at least one front left attachment flange associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front left rail of the server rack such that first fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the at least one front left attachment flange to the front left rail;
a front left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front left attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange being configured to receive second fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front left mounting flange;
at least one front right attachment flange associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front right rail of the server rack such that third fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the at least one front right attachment flange to the front right rail; a front right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front right attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange being configured to receive fourth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front right mounting flange;
a front closure associated with the front of the housing to close the housing opening at the front of the housing; and
a rear closure associated with the rear of the housing to close the housing opening at the rear of the housing,
wherein a volume enclosed by the enclosure has a minimum internal width no less than the predetermined width.
2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein a rear left of the housing is configured for fixed connection to the rear left rail and a rear right of the housing is configured for fixed connection to the rear right rail, the enclosure comprising:
at least one rear left attachment flange for fixed connection to the rear left of the housing and having a plurality of openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the rear left rail of the server rack such that fifth fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the rear left attachment flange to the rear left rail, a rear left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the rear left attachment flange and offset rearwardly thereof, the rear left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange being configured to receive sixth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the rear left mounting flange, at least some of the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange being sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the rear left attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the rear left mounting flange for engaging the fifth fasteners; and
at least one rear right attachment flange for fixed connection to the rear right of the housing and having a plurality of openings therein that are alignable with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the rear right rail of the server rack such that seventh fasteners can be installed through pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures to facilitate fastening of the rear right attachment flange to the rear right rail, a rear right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the rear right attachment flange and offset rearwardly thereof, the rear right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange being configured to receive eighth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the rear right mounting flange, at least some of the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange being sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the rear right attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the rear right mounting flange for engaging the seventh fasteners.
3. The enclosure of claim 1 or claim 2, being modular and having a first portion for engagement with a front side of the front rails and a second portion for engagement with a rear side of the front rails.
4. The enclosure of claim 3, wherein the first portion comprises the front mounting flanges and the second portion comprises the housing.
5. The enclosure of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein:
the at least one front left attachment flange comprises a first front left attachment flange and a second front left attachment flange, the first front left attachment flange being part of the first portion and the second front left attachment flange being part of the second portion; and
the at least one front right attachment flange comprises a first front right attachment flange and a second front right attachment flange, the first front right attachment flange being part of the first portion and the second front right attachment flange being part of the second portion.
6. The enclosure of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first portion comprises a front fascia panel.
7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the front closure is movably connected to the front fascia panel.
8. The enclosure according to any one of claims 3 to 7, comprising a third portion for engagement with a rear side of the rear rails.
9. The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the second portion engages a front side of the rear rails.
10. The enclosure of claim 8 or claim 9, when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the third portion comprises the rear mounting flanges.
11. The enclosure of claim 10, wherein:
the at least one rear left attachment flange comprises a first rear left attachment flange and a second rear left attachment flange, the first rear left attachment flange being part of the third portion and the second rear left attachment flange being part of the second portion; and
the at least one rear right attachment flange comprises a first rear right attachment flange and a second rear right attachment flange, the first rear right attachment flange being part of the third portion and the second rear right attachment flange being part of the second portion.
12. The enclosure of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the third portion comprises a rear fascia panel.
13. The enclosure of claim 12 wherein the rear closure is movably connected to the rear fascia panel.
14. The enclosure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the front and rear closures comprises a door that is movable between an open configuration for access to the housing opening and a closed configuration for securing of the housing opening.
15. The enclosure of claim 14, comprising a lock for securing the door in the closed configuration, wherein the lock may be key operable.
16. The enclosure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and third fasteners are installable through their respective pairs of the corresponding openings and mounting apertures and into openings in the front of the housing to facilitate fastening of the attachment flanges to the front rails and to the front of the housing.
17. The enclosure of any one of claims 3 to 16, when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the fifth and seventh fasteners are installable through their respective pairs of the
corresponding openings and mounting apertures and into openings in the rear of the housing to facilitate fastening of the attachment flanges to the rear rails and to the rear of the housing.
18. The enclosure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an interior height of the enclosure is one or more rack units.
19. The enclosure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an exterior height of the enclosure is up to one rack unit greater than its interior height.
20. The enclosure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:
at least some of the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange are sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the at least one front left attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange for engaging the first fasteners; and
at least some of the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange are sufficiently aligned with the attachment openings of the at least one front right attachment flange for insertion of an appropriately sized rotational driving tool through the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange for engaging the third fasteners.
21. A server rack compri sing :
a front pair and a rear pair of vertical mounting rails, the rails comprising a front left rail, a front right rail, a rear left rail and a rear right rail, the left and right rails being spaced apart by a predetermined width defined between their innermost extremities, the rails having mounting apertures therein for receiving fasteners for mounting equipment to the rails, the mounting apertures being arranged to facilitate the server rack being divided into vertically spaced rack units, there being a predetermined number of mounting apertures of each rail in each rack unit, and
a secure enclosure comprising:
a housing of rectangular cross section installed in the server rack, the housing having a left side associated with the left rails and a right side associated with the right rails, a front associated with the front rails and a rear associated with the rear rails, a front left of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front left rail and a front right of the housing being configured for fixed connection to the front right rail, and a housing opening extending through the housing from the front to the rear of the housing;
at least one front left attachment flange associated with the front left of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front left rail of the server rack, wherein first fasteners extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the at least one front left attachment flange to the front left rail;
a front left mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front left attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front left mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front left mounting flange being configured to receive second fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front left mounting flange;
at least one front right attachment flange associated with the front right of the housing and having a plurality of attachment openings therein that are aligned with a corresponding plurality of the mounting apertures in the front right rail of the server rack, wherein third fasteners extend through pairs of the corresponding attachment openings and mounting apertures to fasten the at least one front right attachment flange to the front right rail;
a front right mounting flange fixedly connected relative to the at least one front right attachment flange and offset forwardly thereof, the front right mounting flange having a plurality of mounting apertures therein, the mounting apertures of the front right mounting flange being configured to receive fourth fasteners to facilitate the fastening of IT equipment to the front right mounting flange;
a front closure associated with the front of the housing to close the housing opening at the front of the housing; and
a rear closure associated with the rear of the housing to close the housing opening at the rear of the housing,
wherein a volume enclosed by the enclosure has a minimum internal width no less than the predetermined width.
22. The server rack of claim 21, wherein the front left rail is sandwiched between the at least one front left attachment flange and the front left of the housing, and the front right rail is sandwiched between the at least one front left attachment flange and the front left of the housing.
23. The server rack of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the secure enclosure is a secure enclosure according to any one of claims 2 to 20.
24. A method of securing IT equipment in a server rack, the method comprising:
providing the server rack as defined in any one of claims 21 to 23;
installing IT equipment in the enclosure; and
aligning one or more mounting apertures of the IT equipment with a corresponding one or more of the mounting apertures of the mounting flanges and fastening the IT equipment installed in the enclosure to the enclosure by engaging one or more fasteners in the aligned mounting apertures of the IT equipment and mounting apertures of the mounting flanges.
PCT/AU2019/051390 2018-12-18 2019-12-17 Secure enclosure for server rack WO2020124140A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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AU2018282282A AU2018282282A1 (en) 2018-12-18 2018-12-18 Secure enclosure for server rack

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US20060274508A1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-07 Stratus Technologies Bermuda Ltd. Computer rack mounting system
US20110181157A1 (en) * 2007-09-19 2011-07-28 Ho-Min Lin Modularized server housing

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060274508A1 (en) * 2005-06-06 2006-12-07 Stratus Technologies Bermuda Ltd. Computer rack mounting system
US20110181157A1 (en) * 2007-09-19 2011-07-28 Ho-Min Lin Modularized server housing

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