AEONS 18u Server Rack Review For My ESXi Home Lab
I recently acquired a couple of Dell R640 servers for my ESXi home lab and was in need of a rack solution. After spending some time looking for a small 4-post rack that could support the 30″ rails for my servers, I stumbled across the AEONS 18U server rack on Amazon. The price was under $200 with prime shipping and the depth was adjustable so it would fit my needs. It currently has a 4.5 star rating, but I was a little hesitant to pull the trigger on the purchase since there were only 18 reviews. I reached out to them and told them my use case and they were nice enough to send me a rack to review with the understanding that it will be an unbiased review.
AEONS 18u Server Rack Assembly:
Setting up the 18U server rack was relatively easy and probably took 45 minutes. To make the assembly even easier, a decent 13mm wrench is included in the box. The instructions are pretty simple and easy to follow, but if someone isn’t familiar with rack construction it may seem a little overwhelming. The included cable management is designed to screw into the outside of the rack, but I decided to install them on the inside instead so they were not exposed and prevent the possibility of them snagging on something and snapping if I moved the rack.
Build Quality:
The AEONS 18U server rack is built extremely well and exceeded my expectations! It features adjustable mounting rails that simplify the installation process and provides flexibility for different server and networking equipment sizes. The rack is made with high-quality materials and has a very nice black powder coat finish. Also included in the box are cable management channels and 4 casters to allow you to easily move the rack. The sturdy 4-post construction guarantees a solid mounting location for your racked servers.
Capacity:
The 18U server rack offers plenty of room for my servers, switches, NAS, and other equipment. Because the adjustable mounting rails allow you to customize the depth (22″-40″), it provides a perfect fit for your specific setup, in my case, it was 2 Dell R640s.
Stability:
Overall the rack is extremely solid once assembled. If you plan to load equipment closer to the top of the rack I highly recommend attaching the rack to a wall or bolt to the floor. This way you can avoid any danger of tipping due to it becoming top-heavy.
Cons:
There really aren’t too many negatives that come to mind when it comes to this rack. One drawback to consider is that the 18U server rack does not provide sound-dampening features due to the open design. If noise is a concern in your environment, you may need to explore additional soundproofing options or consider a specialized rack designed for noise reduction. Another drawback is the included cable management is somewhat flimsy. The plastic hooks feel like they could snap pretty easily if installed on the outside of the rack.
Final Thoughts On The AEONS 18U Server Rack:
The AEONS 18U server rack is a reliable solution for housing your servers and networking equipment. Its solid design, ease of installation, and customizable depth make it a suitable choice for various server setups. While it doesn’t provide any extra features like sound dampening due to the open frame, it excels when it comes to quality. Whether you’re managing Dell servers or other brands, this 18U server rack offers the functionality you need. Just remember to consider your environment to ensure space and noise will not negatively impact your work area. I’m looking forward to filling this rack up with more equipment and may look into adding some DIY soundproofing in the future.
Affiliate Links:
If you would like to pick up this rack for yourself an affiliate link for the rack is below:
100 Velcro Cable Management Straps on Amazon
If you are interested in other home lab equipment reviews check out them out here.
