PowerEdge 2950 Rails DO NOT fit Compaq Cabinets!

Question

Be aware that the PowerEdge 2950 Rapid/Versa rails do not fit in a Compaq 9000 series rack.  They mount fine in the rear posts since the back latch is adjustable for length but the fixed part of the rail (outside piece that the cable management arm attaches to) is about 1' too long and will not allow the rear door to close. For most, this may not be a big deal but when you run a large datacenter and have perfectly good Compaq racks that you don't want to throw away, this becomes and issue.  We have successfully installed the 2850, 2800 with rack mount kit, and 1750 in the Compaq 9000 series cabinets with the previous versions of the Versa-rails.  It was tight but they worked with the cable management arms. I contacted Dell Gold Support and they had no solution.  Since the racks and rails are made by a third party (racksolutions.com) they told me to contact them.  They also said I could contact Customer Solutions to return the rails for a refund.  Nice, but doesn't solve my problem.  Looks like Dell didn't do their homework when designing the new and improved 'Versa-rails'.  Not very 'versatile' huh? Sorry for the rant but it just put a damper on my installation yesterday.  Thought you'd want to know in case you are planning any installs into existing Compaq/HP racks soon.

ezzman · Answer

Yes...I have the same problem with the 1950 servers as well.  It is SO aggravating and creates a cable nightmare.  This is the second install of 1950 servers where I could not use the cable management arm.  One was a Compaq rack, the other was a Libert rack...

ezzman · Answer

I have thought about getting one of these...i wonder if it will work...   http://www.racksolutions.com/cable-management-arm.shtml

ezzman · Answer

Hello Will...   Thanks for your response.  I will be interested in trying those out.  Can I return the other ones I got?  I went up to the datacenter yesterday, and they didn't work....i was very frustrated cause I have a cabling nightmare in that rack =)  Im glad to see you have something.   Please let me know.  You can email me @ eelliston@rbdstudios.com   Thanks!   Eric

RackSolutions · Answer

There are numerous options availabe for the PE2950 if the Dell Rails are too long for your cabinet.
There are two 3rd party rail kits available.

The Static Rail Kit is only as deep as the installation depth of the cabinet itself. It allows for easy removal of the server but is not a ball bearing slide rail kit. This kit does not have Cable Management. The Dell SKU number for this kit is: A0705182

The Slide Rail Kit reduces the installation depth of the PE2950 from 36" to 31.5". This is a replacement for the Dell OEM kits and has complete cable management. The Dell SKU number for this kit is: A0741949

These rail kits are meant to replace the Dell OEM rail kits. Your Dell Account Rep can order both of these kit for you.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Will Beene

Rack Servers

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