A whole lotta work

[bradslinux]

Build’s Name: Cherry Crate
Operating System/ Storage Platform: Windows Server 2012 R2 (2x hyper-v guests for lab stuff)
Server 1
CPU: 2x Intel Xeon L5420 (I like the low power usage)
Motherboard: Supermicro X7DBN
Chassis: Norco RPC-470
Power Supply: Enermax 750 I think....
Drives: 15x Hitachi Hitachi HUA72302 These are spread between the Rackable Systems 3016 and the Norco 470.
Usage: Plex media server, automated system for media download. Lab experimentation for my continued education
RAM: 32 GB Samsung DDRII ECC
Add-in Cards:Intel Pro/1000 MT Quad
Server 2: Rackable Systems 2U half depth
Motherboard: Intel S5000PSL
RAM: 16GB DDRII ECC
Usage: Hyper-V clustering lab and backup Plex media server. The Rackable 3016 is setup as shared storage.
I have been experimenting with Storage Spaces. So far, I like it ok. It isn't ZFS...... nuff' said
Total Storage in the rack is around 30TB usable.

The Case:
The main cabinet frame is 2.5"x2.5" solid cherry posts. The panels are glued up 7/8" solid cherry.
The door frame is Black Walnut, the raised panel for the door is quilted birdseye eastern hard rock maple.
The only hardware are the hinges, the screw for the knob, a magnetic striker plate to keep the door closed, and the casters. The rest is wood and glue mortise and tenon and tongue and groove construction. The finish is hand rubbed Tung oil. I love a hand rubbed finish, over time, it is the easiest to care for and it takes a natural patina over time. Constructed entirely in my garage .
CHERRIES! Bon Apetit!
This is my first post, thought I would make it a doosey
I would like to thank the posters I have gleamed so much info from over the past couple of years. You all ROCK!
Brad

 

[T_Minus]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaweome build.

Love that "Rack" it's really "styling"

How's the CPU working out for you? I have one too I got to play around with.

 

[bradslinux]

THANKS!!! It was a lot of fun...and gallons of persperation to build. Keeps me in the garage and out of the "dark web"
Which one? The L5420? Its a good processor, as to the servers, the Rackable is a fine server, it just sounds like a Gulfstream sitting on the tarmac and ready to take off. LOUD! The Norco case / Supermicro mobo is much quieter,...in the cabinet, it is barely audible. Both are more than adequate in processing power to transcode multiple streams to a smart TV, a Roku and my desktop workstation. I only run them both when I am doing the "mad computer scientist" thing. bwahahaha and the Rackable 3016 enclosure only gets turned on when I do a complete data backup...about once a week...or 2.

 

[Spotswood]

The cherry will darken over time, so I would avoid placing anything on its top.

 

[MiniKnight]

Super build!

 

[bradslinux]

The cherry will darken over time, so I would avoid placing anything on its top.

Yes it will, I'm 50 now...so I'll let the grand kid that inherits it worry about it . I guess they will get the lamp as well. Package deal LOL.
Currently scouring ebay for a deal on a for a 1U KB/Mouse/Monitor/KVM tray setup.....Always wanted one of those, and a rackmount UPS would fill the void nicely. The cabinet is built on a standard 30" deep 4 post rack setup.

 

[nickscott18]

Wow - that is nice. That'd definitely pass the WAF test in our house.

 

[kroem]

Real nice build!!

 

[neo]

How does the front of the case fans get fresh air ventilation with the door closed?

 

[TuxDude]

It does look very nice - but I also wonder how you get enough airflow into the fronts of the cases.

 

[bradslinux]

The airflow is a bit of a problem at the moment, The door actually leaves an open gap of about an 1/8th of an inch all the way around. Temps went up a little (5-7 deg C) as opposed to not being in an enclosure. I am planning on putting some holes or a slot in the bottom cross member of the cabinet frame (not the door frame). That should provide an adequate air flow and it won't hinder the aesthetics of the cabinet with the door closed.
B

 

[mackle]

Is that 5-7 degs at idle?

I think tongue and groove (and dovetails) is totally under-represented in the tech world, so I'd accept performance degradation in return for a gorgeous cabinet.

 

[bradslinux]

Is that 5-7 degs at idle?

I think tongue and groove (and dovetails) is totally under-represented in the tech world, so I'd accept performance degradation in return for a gorgeous cabinet.

Agreed! What is wrong with mixing the beauty of wood with beauty of technology? LOL
As to the temps, I observed and compared at door open under 50-60% load, then closed the door and observed. This is actually why I am not too concerned about it. There is still nearly 20-25 deg before it hits TJ Max. Idle temp appears to have gone up about 1 t0 2 deg C. This shows that there is a LOT of air being moved through that gap between the door and cabinet. But when I get bored enough, I'll clamp a piece of wood to the bottom of the frame member to support the wood on the drill bit exiting.

Thanks everybody for all of your wonderful comments and observations. I truly do enjoy both wood working and technology. Having the ability and opportunity to combine them together is a real blessing for me.

Brad

 

[PigLover]

The airflow is a bit of a problem at the moment, The door actually leaves an open gap of about an 1/8th of an inch all the way around. Temps went up a little (5-7 deg C) as opposed to not being in an enclosure. I am planning on putting some holes or a slot in the bottom cross member of the cabinet frame (not the door frame). That should provide an adequate air flow and it won't hinder the aesthetics of the cabinet with the door closed.
B

You could improve the airflow significantly with a "slotted" opening in the bottom panel of the cabinet - allowing outside air to enter from underneath. You might want to add some fine mesh over it to block dust/hair that might be on the floor.

I used a method like this for an audio cabinet built in. The heat loads were much lower of course, but the idea is the same. You could even cut 80/120mm fan openings in the bottom panel and use quiet fans to force the issue a bit and not just rely on simple convection.

The key, of course, is to do it in a way that is invisible when the cabinet door is closed!

 

[bradslinux]

You could improve the airflow significantly with a "slotted" opening in the bottom panel of the cabinet - allowing outside air to enter from underneath. You might want to add some fine mesh over it to block dust/hair that might be on the floor.

I used a method like this for an audio cabinet built in. The heat loads were much lower of course, but the idea is the same. You could even cut 80/120mm fan openings in the bottom panel and use quiet fans to force the issue a bit and not just rely on simple convection.

The key, of course, is to do it in a way that is invisible when the cabinet door is closed!

Sans fans, I thought that's what I said.
Cheers
Brad

 

[PigLover]

That you did! It appears that sometimes I type faster than I read...

 

[C4PPY]

Nice work! Admin Living a new kind of interior designing - LOVE IT

 

[PigLover]

To improve the cooling a bit more, along with cutting an input air slot in the bottom panel, you might want to consider building a "blank" to cover the space in the upper part of the "rack". That way the only pathway for the "cold" air coming in the front is through the various devices in the rack, pulled through by their fans. You also prevent "warm" air from the back from circling back through.

The same general idea used in big data centers with the "cold aisle/hot aisle" isolation.

 

[TuxDude]

To improve the cooling a bit more, along with cutting an input air slot in the bottom panel, you might want to consider building a "blank" to cover the space in the upper part of the "rack". That way the only pathway for the "cold" air coming in the front is through the various devices in the rack, pulled through by their fans. You also prevent "warm" air from the back from circling back through.

The same general idea used in big data centers with the "cold aisle/hot aisle" isolation.

+1 - if you are depending on the fans inside the equipment to suck the air in through the front of the rack, ensure you've filled up any gaps that would allow hot exhaust air to recirculate back to the front through the inside of the "rack".

 

[bradslinux]

Thanks again to everybody for the compliments. I plan on adding a "blank" panel to the front. I am having a hard time deciding on the species of wood to use....I know...decisions decisions... LOL. I will have to remove the stuff from the rack to make the slot in the bottom frame member, I will cut and mount a panel when I do that. Maybe a nice figured piece of walnut polished to high luster. I have a few exceptional pieces somewhere in the garage....
Brad