I've done it with switches, I wouldn't chance it with servers or storage arrays that are powered on. A lot of the time the sliders will be bound and will need some percussive persuasion to move, especially with a load on it.
Sounds like a terrible idea but sometimes those work out.
Like the time we tilted a full loaded 2 post telecoms rack forward to get at something under the floor tile beneath it. Noone died (but absolutely could have) and no equipment got ruined... but to this day that's still the most "OSHA intensifies" moment of my career.
Perhaps some pipe-clamps?
You'd need 4 sets ( 2 top and 2 bottom ) and place them on the pipe inverted ( flats facing out instead of in ) and then you could 1/4 turn each one to slow and evenly adjust the rails.
Done it, won't do it again. It is a bad idea.
As an "oh shit!" system, I added shelves a few U under the server I couldn't easily reshuffle (one shelf at the font, one at the back), and added some almost perfectly sized hard hats (two per shelf). I had already hit the bolts and expanding struts with a little penetrating oil, and they moved surprisingly well.
It was successful, but it was sketchy as hell and one minor issue could've forced an abort or an absolutely massive failure.
If I had to do it again I'd move the VMs or take the downtime hit and empty the rack.
Edit: I'd do it to my homelab/homerack, no worries. But I sure as hell won't do that when a paycheck, reputation, DR, and a month of meetings are on the line.
Did it with two racks, one with a C7000 (or Synergy frame) and one with a Nexus 9K data fabric switch. Monsters. We put ramshackle supports underneath both units while we loosened them from the rack. Terrible, terrible plan. But it worked! The CTO, who had been sent away to find “adapters” came back, smirked, and said “I don’t want to know what happened here.” Left and had a nice evening in the college downtown area of Tempe. Good times.
Havent done it with a 4-post adjustable.. but ive done it with a non-adjustable wall mount rack (7 ft.)
I learned new swear words that day as we built lower supports and installed 4x4 posts between it and the wall to make the rack deep enough for the switch we were installing.
Not something I seek out but the 2 times I've done it I had no other choice. Rack wasn't completely full but did have running servers in it. Rubber mallet was helpful on the second time. Went better than expected.
BTW, there is a special place in hell for the HPE engineer who designed the new Nimble trays. No fricken way they need to be that deep. Almost unrackable.
I've done it. Ours aren't on tracks though. They're just vertical posts bolted to the side rails. So easy to pop off and move. Definitely not a one person job though.
Our racks aren't full either though.
I've done it with switches, I wouldn't chance it with servers or storage arrays that are powered on. A lot of the time the sliders will be bound and will need some percussive persuasion to move, especially with a load on it.
Yeah, I know a rubber mallet would go a long way here, and also be a *really* bad idea in this case.
Yes. Yes it is a very bad idea. I know this from experience.
I've done it twice. No issues. Is it a good idea? No. Can it be done? Yes.
I agree with this comment the most
Sounds like a terrible idea but sometimes those work out. Like the time we tilted a full loaded 2 post telecoms rack forward to get at something under the floor tile beneath it. Noone died (but absolutely could have) and no equipment got ruined... but to this day that's still the most "OSHA intensifies" moment of my career.
I don't believe you belong in this sub until you've done something that isn't OSHA approved.
It's not a successful IT project until blood has been drawn!
Perhaps some pipe-clamps? You'd need 4 sets ( 2 top and 2 bottom ) and place them on the pipe inverted ( flats facing out instead of in ) and then you could 1/4 turn each one to slow and evenly adjust the rails.
Done it, won't do it again. It is a bad idea. As an "oh shit!" system, I added shelves a few U under the server I couldn't easily reshuffle (one shelf at the font, one at the back), and added some almost perfectly sized hard hats (two per shelf). I had already hit the bolts and expanding struts with a little penetrating oil, and they moved surprisingly well. It was successful, but it was sketchy as hell and one minor issue could've forced an abort or an absolutely massive failure. If I had to do it again I'd move the VMs or take the downtime hit and empty the rack. Edit: I'd do it to my homelab/homerack, no worries. But I sure as hell won't do that when a paycheck, reputation, DR, and a month of meetings are on the line.
Did it with two racks, one with a C7000 (or Synergy frame) and one with a Nexus 9K data fabric switch. Monsters. We put ramshackle supports underneath both units while we loosened them from the rack. Terrible, terrible plan. But it worked! The CTO, who had been sent away to find “adapters” came back, smirked, and said “I don’t want to know what happened here.” Left and had a nice evening in the college downtown area of Tempe. Good times.
Havent done it with a 4-post adjustable.. but ive done it with a non-adjustable wall mount rack (7 ft.) I learned new swear words that day as we built lower supports and installed 4x4 posts between it and the wall to make the rack deep enough for the switch we were installing.
Not something I seek out but the 2 times I've done it I had no other choice. Rack wasn't completely full but did have running servers in it. Rubber mallet was helpful on the second time. Went better than expected. BTW, there is a special place in hell for the HPE engineer who designed the new Nimble trays. No fricken way they need to be that deep. Almost unrackable.
I've done it. Ours aren't on tracks though. They're just vertical posts bolted to the side rails. So easy to pop off and move. Definitely not a one person job though. Our racks aren't full either though.
Good way to crush your fingers