A systems administrator is deploying new equipment in a network closet and must select an appropriate enclosure. The equipment list includes two 2U servers, one 1U network switch, one 1U patch panel, and a 2U UPS. Company policy requires that at least 25% of the total vertical space in a new rack must be reserved for future expansion.
Which of the following is the smallest standard enclosure that meets all requirements?
The correct answer is the 12U rack. To determine the correct enclosure size, first calculate the total space required for the equipment:
Two 2U servers = 4U
One 1U network switch = 1U
One 1U patch panel = 1U
One 2U UPS = 2U
Total equipment space = 8U
The policy requires at least 25% of the total rack space to be free. We must test the options:
12U rack: 8U used leaves 4U free. (4U free / 12U total) = 33.3%, which meets the requirement.
10U rack: 8U used leaves 2U free. (2U free / 10U total) = 20%, which does not meet the 25% requirement.
24U and 42U racks: While these larger racks would provide more than 25% free space, the question asks for the smallest standard enclosure that meets the requirements, making the 12U rack the most efficient correct choice.