Not all racks are created equal . . . and not all servers will fit in all racks (why?)
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Answer: Unscrew the pegs in the mounting flange and use screws.
The HP Engineering Staff responsible for the design of HP Rail Kits definitely follows the “Don’t over Engineer it” philosophy. The HP Rail Kits are simple and functional, exactly the way a Rail Kit should be. This is completely opposite from the older style HP Rail Kits that had complicated assemblies and mechanisms with lever arms and springs.
There are two pegs in the mounting flange of most HP Rail Kits. These pegs have a slight taper that allow it to install into a Square Hole Server Rack without the use of any tools. The Rail Kits lock in place with a very simple piece of Spring Steel the prevents the Rail Kits from moving.
If your Server Rack has round non-threaded holes like an IBM Server Rack, the pegs in the mounting flange will fit easily into the hole. If your Server Rack has a threaded hole then the HP Rail Kit is still compatible. The pegs must be removed by unscrewing them and then using screws to install the Rail Kit into the Server Rack. The following video shows how easily this task is accomplished.
The Dell Rapid/Versa Rails can be installed into a square or a round hole Server Rack. This is accomplished by a rotating assembly on the ends of the rails with square hooks on one side and threaded pim nuts on the other side. This is a very unique design and works with most Server Racks. However it does not work with a Server Rack that has C Channel Shaped Uprights. The rotating assembly causes an obstruction with the rear surface of the upright that prevents the Dell Rail Kit from being installed.
The Solution to this problem is to replace the rotating assembly on the ends of the rails with a simple mounting flange. This can be accomplished quickly and easily by using the PE2950 Rail Ear Replacement Product: P/N 2URAIL-2950-EARS
The following video shows how this product is used to install the Dell PE2950 into a C Channel Server Rack.
There are several current generation Dell Servers that have an LED Control Panel. These Control Panels can have a large ribbon cable that must be re-routed when converting the servers between a rackmount and a tower configuration.There is an issue that arises when the complete Dell Conversion Kit is not being used. The complete kit includes the replacement parts that allow the Control Panel to be relocated.The Dell PE2900 III is shown here with the control panel ribbon cable exposed (the PE2900 has the same issue). It is highly recommended that you use the complete Conversion Kit when attempting to install the server, however if you are not able to do this then it may be possible in some cases to leave the top chassis panel in place to keep the cable covered.
In some cases the only acceptable solution is to install the server using a Heavy Duty Sliding Shelf standing upright in the tower configuration. This installation method will allow two PE2900s to utilize same shelf.
Dell R200 Fixed Rail [more options]
The Dell R200 can be quickly installed into any type of Server Rack utilizing a set of 1U Fixed Rails as an alternative to the Dell Rail Kit. The Fixed Rail is a generic product that allows multiple different types of equipment to be installed into any type of Server Rack. The advantage to using a Fixed Rail to install the R200 over the Dell Rail Kit is mostly cost. The Fixed Rail provides significant cost savings compared to the Dell Rail Kit for the R200. Additional savings are seen by using the Fixed Rail for additional equipment once the R200 has been upgraded to a newer Server. The Fixed Rail can be used again and again without having to purchase expensive Slide Rail Kits.
Server Rack Options (4Post & 2Post)
| Rack Type | Hole Type | Mounting Depth | Overall Depth | Part Number | Dell SKU |
| 4Post | Any Type | 0″ to 31 9/16″ | min: 31 1/2″ | 1UKIT-109 | A0137220 |
| 2Post | 0″ to 18″ | min: 31 1/2″ | min: 31 1/2″ | 1UKIT-009 | A0389974 |
The PE2900 Tower to Rack Conversion Kit is now sold in two separate kits. The Rackmount Faceplate and Bezel are in one kit (SKU:330-0906) and the rails are sold as a separate kit (310-8207). Your Dell Account Rep. can order these products for you, however if for some reason you need additional options then please review the following choices.
Option #1
Use the Dell Rails without the front face plate and bezel. With this option you get almost everything that the complete Tower to Rack Conversion Kit has. The Rackmount Faceplate has thumbscrews on the sides that prevent the server from being pulled out and it has Pull Loops that are small simple handles to allow you to pull the server out. There are other cosmetic features that you will not get like having the text and Dell Logo turned 90 degrees but that is not critical. The LED control panel has a ribbon cable that will remain outside the chassis. This can be an issue for some installations.
The Dell Rapid Rails for the PE2900 have P/N: 310-8207. This P/N is still active in the Dell System and your Dell Account Rep. can order this. You will also need a set of 10-32 Shoulder Nuts to install the Rails to the side of the chassis. These Shoulder Nuts as well as the Rapid Rails can be ordered from RackSolutions: P/Ns 310-8207-R + SHOULDER-NUT-KIT
Dell Rapid Rails for PE2900
Shoulder Nuts
Dell Documentation (you need to read this to figure out how to get the chassis panels off)
Option #2
Put the Dell PE2900 on a Heavy Duty Sliding Shelf. This is a very simple option that provides all the features of the complete Tower to Rack Conversion Kit. This option is also more cost effective because the the Shelf can be used again for any device where as the products in Option #1 can only be used with the PE2900.
The Heavy Duty Sliding Shelf will use an additional Rack Unit of Space.The Heavy Duty Sliding Shelf can be ordered through your Dell Account Rep. using the Dell SKU: A0608912 or purchased from RackSolutions: P/N 2USHL-130.
Option #3
Put the Dell PE2900 on a Heavy Duty Fixed Rail. This is a very economical option. The Heavy Duty Fixed Rail is a static non-sliding option. This option provides basic features such as simple cable management and allows the PE2900 to be easily removed from the Server Rack.
The Heavy Duty Fixed Rail can be ordered through your Dell Account Rep. using the Dell SKU: A0137232 or purchased from RackSolutions: P/N 3UKIT-109.
NOTE:
There are other options available as well if none of these solutions satisfy your requirements. Please call our Expert Technical Support Staff at: 903-453-0800 if you still require assistance.
Quick & Simple Answer: Lock the Bullet Pegs back and use screws.
The IBM Slide Rails use a complicated locking Mechanism commonly referred to as Bullet Pegs. This mechanism allows the IBM Slide Rails to be quickly installed in an IBM Server Rack. An IBM Server Rack can be quickly identified by it’s use of large round non-threaded holes.
The IBM Slide Rails have a flange on the end of the rail that wraps around to the front of the rack upright. It’s this flange that allows the IBM Slide Rail to be attached to a threaded hole rack. Keep the Bullet Peg Assembly locked back and simply use screws to attach the slide rail to the rack.
IBM is one of the few manufacturer’s that is slow to change it’s Rail Kit design and uses the same rail kit across multiple Server Lines. This has several advantages over other Manufacturer’s Rail Kits. The most advantageous for IBM clients is that it reduces installation time and the cost associated with server deployment. Installing or upgrading an IBM Server when there is an existing IBM Server with a common Rail Kit already installed could not be easier or more efficient especially if there are numerous IBM Servers to deploy. IBM provides the ability to slide one server out of the rack and slide a newer or different server in it’s place and not have to re-cable anything or remove the existing slide rails is a huge advantage.
The new HP Server Chassis have increased in width to the point that some of the models are no longer able to provide slide rails. The manufacturer’s like HP, Dell, and IBM have shoved about as much electronics as they possible can into the 1U and 2U chassis. This has forced them to make the chassis as long as possible. Apparently HP has found a few more millimeters of space by increasing the chassis width.
This chassis width can prevent the HP servers from being installed in 2Post Relay Racks using the HP Rail Kit. The solution to this issue is using a 3rd Party Rail Kit from RackSolutions. There are several Rail Kits available for the new HP chassis design.
Some Dell Rail Kits are interchangeable between server models and some are not. The 1U Servers usually share a common rail kit more than the larger servers. Additionally these are the entry level 1U Servers. Dell probably does this to reduce the cost as much as possible for this Server Line of products. Typically the higher end and larger Servers like the PE1950 and PE2950 have a Rail Kit that is very specific.
This was not always the case. The older generation servers like the PE2450 & PE2550 would share rail kits across generations.
One feature that Dell has not changed is the attachment method of their rails to the rack. The Rapid Rail Hook is a feature that Dell has patented and no other manufacturer uses.
Question: I have several Dell PE2950 Servers and several 20A Powerstrips, my facility provides 120VAC. How many PE2950’s can I plug into the 20A Powerstrip without tripping the breaker?
Answer: The Dell PE2950 has a manufacturer’s rating of 750W, however this rating can vary by +/- 20% depending upon the operating efficiency of the primary power supply. The operating efficiency is mainly affected by temperature but there are a host of other things that can affect the operation as well.
Start by calculating an operational range for a single server:
750W + 20% = 900W
750W - 20% = 600W
The next step is to determine the Amperage: W/VAC=A
900W/120VAC = 7.5A (max)
750W/120VAC = 6.25A (spec)
600W/120VAC = 5A (min)
The operating load of the Powerstrips must be determined. This is where the 20% variation in operating efficiency is important. If you load the Powerstrips over 80% you can run the risk of overloading the breaker under a maximum load.
20A * 80% = 16A
20A * 85% = 17A
20A * 90% = 18A
Using these guidelines you can easily determine how many PE2950’s you can plug into your 20A Powerstrips:
7.5A * 2 = 15A (max load)
6.25A * 2 = 12.5A (spec)
5A * 3 = 15A (min load)
