Hello :)

If you don’t want to read everything just jump to the target state/help section below :)


Introduction

Roughly a year ago, I got my hands on a used but good quality 20U server cabinet. Since then, despite containing my running home server and my network gear, it remained in a quite unfinished state on my parent’s attic. In the near future, it could appear that I have to share my home office/gaming room with it (so several hours a day). Therefore, I would like to implement proper sound (and dust) proofing measurements and cooling. Sadly, I am not that knowledgeable about server hardware and accessory yet, so I seek help here :)


Current state

Right now, the cabinet contains the following devices:

  • Router/modem (passively cooled)
  • Managed switch (passively cooled)
  • Home server with four hard disks running all my services

The bottom is open.

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On top, there are four mounting slots for 120mm fans. Currently, just one is installed and not being used.

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On top and at the bottom in the rear area, there are openings for the in- and outgoing cables which are not covered at the moment. They are 52 cm wide.

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Target state/help

(It might be important for availability of parts or material: I am in Germany.)

Devices

In the future, the cabinet should contain the following devices:

  • Old router as modem (passively cooled)
  • Dedicated router/firewall device (OPNsense/pfsense, passively cooled)
  • Managed switch (passively cooled)
  • At least four clustered thin clients (I have four Fujitsu Futro S920 lying around, passively cooled)
  • Dedicated file server with at least twelve hard disks (actively cooled)
  • UPS

I assume only the file server will generate noticeable noise while the rest will generate only heat.

Open bottom

For the open bottom I assume a plain plywood board with openings for four 4-pin 120mm fans (or two bigger fans - less RPM, less noise?) as intakes and magnetic strips at the bottom for dust filters will suffice, am I correct there? Are there better alternatives?

Top fans

For the top, I would install four 4-pin 120mm fans as exhausts. Do you have recommendations for these? Else I would go for known brands as Noctua or bequiet! and compare noise levels.

Fan controller

I have to admit that I never had a fan controller in my hands and have little knowledge about them. Do you have recommendations for a controller for six or eight 4-pin fans? As I looked them up online, I mostly found controller which seems to be intended for desktops, not server cabinets. And when i got one, do I put it on a shelf in the server cabinet or could I mount it on a rail on the side of the cabinet?

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Cable ducts

I am completely clueless how covers for these cable ducts are properly called. I looked up several combinations of the words “dust”, “cover”, “server”, “cable”, and so on and didn’t find what I was looking for. As mentioned above, the ducts are roughly 52x6cm. As I got the cabinet, there were pretty nasty foaming and glue residue which I had to scrub off. Are there covers with bristles or foaming to cut into the right size that that help against dust and noise?

Further sound proofing

Would it be a good idea to sound proof the inner sides with some kind of padding or other kind of non-flammable sound damping insulation material?


Sorry for the long post! I appreciate every hint and tip :)

Have a great day!