Question : Mounting Dell servers in a Chatsworth 4 post open frame rack

First off, is mounting servers in 4 post open frame racks something that is done alot?

I have been having a major headache the last 3 weeks trying to get 1 each PE1750, PE2650 and PV112T mounted in a chatsworth 4 post open frame. The 3rd party versrails I ordered with the dell products are threaded round holes. The 4 post open frame rack I have is the QuadraRack 4-Post frame (model 50120-X03). These also have threaded round holes. The problem is the holes don't align horizonally. see picture
http://webpages.charter.net/illtbagu/DSC00008.JPG

So after talking to chatsworth on the phone they said I would need the square holed posts instead. They asked me to send them the versarails and if it worked they would send me 4 posts from the QuadraRack server frame model (model 15053-X03). After they tested everything out they told me it will work ok but their 4 post frame wasnt designed for this type of thing. Here are thier pictures they sent me from there test
http://webpages.charter.net/illtbagu/P9140116.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/illtbagu/P9140117.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/illtbagu/P9140118.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/illtbagu/P9140119.JPG
You can see that the square holes work but there is slop and the screw sits on the bottom of the square holes. They told me that they have never had anyone use a 4 post open frame to mount servers in before. They told me If I was to mount these servers in a cabinet then I would not be having any of these problems.


I am totally confused what am I doing wrong here? Am I the only one who wants to mount servers in a 4 post open frame rack?

Thanks,
DMS

Answer : Mounting Dell servers in a Chatsworth 4 post open frame rack

Eh?  Chatsworth really told you that servers should be in cabinets?  That's a laugh... trust me, you don't need expensive cabinets to mount those servers.  I use three APC 4-post open frame racks for 12 servers (of different brands) and other computers such as a Nortel phone server, various rack mount UPS's, shelves...  Since you already bought the rack and rails, I suggest you mount them from the back-side -> in... meaning instead of having the lip extend over the outer part of the rail... have it mount behind the rail and screw from the back -> out.  I have several rails setup this way and as long as you sandwich the lip between the screws and the post, you won't have any stability or mounting problems.

Good luck.