NorStone Rack 18U

The Norstone Pro Rack 18U represents an ideal storage solution for professional IT and audiovisual equipment. This server rack combines robustness, security, and practicality thanks to its metal construction, tempered glass door, and mobility features. Designed to meet the needs of modern IT installations, this rack offers 18 units of space with generous usable depth, while integrating efficient cooling solutions.

Professional Construction and Design

The structure of the Norstone Pro Rack 18U is entirely made of metal with a satin black finish that blends seamlessly into any professional environment. This robust construction ensures optimal protection for sensitive equipment against shocks and vibrations. The choice of metal for the entire structure also guarantees increased durability, even under intensive use conditions.

The front of the rack is equipped with a tempered glass door that offers a dual advantage: it allows quick visualization of the equipment’s status without opening the rack, while maintaining a high level of protection. This transparency facilitates monitoring of indicator lights and displays of installed devices, particularly useful for technicians performing quick checks.

Attention to detail is also evident in the modular design of the rack, allowing the interior layout to be adapted to the specific needs of each installation. The included fixed shelf serves as a starting point for organizing the space, with the possibility of adding additional accessories as needed.

Optimized Mobility and Stability

One of the major strengths of the Norstone Pro Rack 18U lies in its design, which combines mobility and stability. Equipped with four sturdy 80 mm wheels, this rack can be easily moved despite its significant weight of 38 kg (empty). This feature is particularly advantageous during space reorganizations or maintenance operations that require access to the back of the equipment or wall cabling.

Once the rack is positioned in the desired location, the four height-adjustable feet take over to ensure perfect stability. These feet not only compensate for any floor irregularities but also slightly elevate the rack to facilitate airflow underneath, contributing to the system’s overall cooling.

The height difference between the configuration with wheels (985 mm) and without wheels (905 mm) has been carefully calculated to maintain optimal ergonomics in both cases. This adaptability makes the rack particularly versatile, adjusting to the specific constraints of each installation environment.

Effective Cooling and Thermal Management

Thermal management is a crucial aspect for any IT equipment, and the Norstone Pro Rack 18U meets this requirement with two integrated fans. These fans ensure constant airflow inside the rack, effectively dissipating the heat generated by operating equipment.

The rack’s design also promotes natural airflow through its structure, allowing circulation from bottom to top. This passive cooling approach complements the fans’ action to maintain an optimal temperature, even under heavy loads.

For installations with particularly demanding thermal dissipation needs, the rack’s structure allows for the addition of extra fans. This modularity provides the ability to adapt the cooling system to the heat generated by the installed equipment, ensuring ideal operating conditions under any circumstances.

Enhanced Security and Accessibility

Protecting equipment from unauthorized access is a priority for any professional installation. The Norstone Pro Rack 18U features a locking system with a key lock and butterfly handle, offering a level of security suitable for professional environments. This mechanism effectively prevents access by unauthorized individuals while facilitating opening for authorized personnel.

Equipment accessibility is optimized thanks to the reversible door, which can open in the most convenient direction depending on the space configuration. This feature is particularly useful in constrained environments where access may be limited on one side or the other.

The transparency of the tempered glass door also allows for quick visual checks of the equipment’s status without needing to open the rack. This functionality facilitates preventive maintenance and daily monitoring, contributing to more efficient infrastructure management.

Simplified Installation and Assembly

Although delivered unassembled, the Norstone Pro Rack 18U has been designed to simplify assembly. The three boxes contain all the components, necessary screws, a detailed plan, and even the tools required for assembly. This all-in-one approach eliminates the frustrations usually associated with assembling technical furniture.

The distribution of elements in three separate boxes (920 × 620 × 250 mm, 875 × 670 × 80 mm, and 660 × 640 × 110 mm) makes handling during delivery easier and allows for better access to restricted spaces. This thoughtful organization reflects the attention given to the user experience, from delivery to final installation.

The clear and illustrated assembly instructions enable even inexperienced individuals to complete the assembly without difficulty. Once assembled, the rack immediately offers all its functionalities without requiring complex adjustments or additional specialized tools.

Versatility and Multiple Applications

The Norstone Pro Rack 18U stands out for its versatility, adapting to a wide range of environments and applications. In a professional context, it can house servers, network-attached storage (NAS) systems, network equipment such as switches and routers, or even security systems.

For audiovisual applications, this rack is an ideal solution for centralizing amplifiers, preamplifiers, audio/video processors, and other signal processing equipment. Its design takes into account the specific requirements of these devices, particularly in terms of ventilation and accessibility.

In educational environments or small businesses, the Norstone Pro offers a scalable solution that can adapt to growing IT needs. Its mobility facilitates space reorganizations, while its robustness ensures the long-term protection of hardware investments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an 18U rack and other sizes available on the market?
An 18U rack offers 18 units of standard height (1U = 44.45 mm), positioning it as an intermediate solution between small racks (9-12U) and large racks (24-42U). This size is ideal for medium-sized installations requiring multiple devices without taking up the space of a full-height rack. The Norstone Pro 18U represents an excellent compromise between capacity and footprint.

Is the integrated ventilation system sufficient for high heat-dissipating equipment?
The two integrated fans are designed to provide adequate cooling under normal usage conditions. For equipment generating significant heat (such as certain servers), it is recommended to optimize device placement by positioning the hottest devices at the top of the rack and leaving space between devices. In extreme cases, adding additional fans can be considered.

How to efficiently manage cabling in this rack?
Although the Norstone Pro does not come with specific cable management accessories, its design includes several anchor points for installing storage solutions such as horizontal or vertical cable guides. It is recommended to use reusable cable ties and organize cables by function (power, network, audio) to facilitate future maintenance.

Can the rack be fixed to the floor for added stability?
While the rack is designed to be stable thanks to its adjustable feet, it does not include a default floor anchoring system. For environments requiring absolute stability or subject to seismic risks, it is possible to adapt anchoring solutions using the adjustable feet’s mounting points. Consult a professional for secure installation in such cases.

Is the rack suitable for home environments?
Although designed for professional applications, the Norstone Pro 18U can perfectly integrate into a home environment for audiovisual or IT enthusiasts. Its sleek design and glass door allow it to blend with modern interiors. The fan noise level remains moderate, but it is preferable to install the rack in a dedicated room rather than a main living space.

Technical Specifications

• Material: metal
• Color: satin black
• Ventilation: 2 integrated fans
• Equipment: 1 fixed shelf included
• Mobility and stability:
  • 4 wheels of 80 mm
  • 4 height-adjustable feet

Door and Security

• Door type: tempered glass
• Security: key lock with butterfly handle
• Installation: reversible door

General Information

Dimensions and Capacity

• Storage capacity: 18 units (18U)
• Maximum usable depth: 540 mm
• Dimensions:
  • With wheels: 600 mm (W) × 985 mm (H) × 600 mm (D)
  • Without wheels: 600 mm (W) × 905 mm (H) × 600 mm (D)
• Weight:
  • Net weight: 38 kg
  • Total gross weight: 41.2 kg

Delivery Information

• Packaging: unassembled, with screws, plan, and tools necessary for assembly
• Packing: 3 boxes
  • Box 1: 920 × 620 × 250 mm, 13.2 kg
  • Box 2: 875 × 670 × 80 mm, 13.8 kg
  • Box 3: 660 × 640 × 110 mm, 14.2 kg