Cabinet (computer)
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A typical cabinet
The cabinet of a computer is a tall movable closet used to house multiple computers and computer equipment. The form of the modern cabinet is standardized by the Electronic Industries Alliance, so that equipment can be placed in any manufacturer's cabinet. The primary design criteria are:
- Access to equipment - various kinds of locks and latches restrict access.
- Airflow - Cabinets are designed to be placed side-to-side, so airflow is vertical, with vents and mounting brackets for fans.
- Mounting Brackets - Mounting brackets have mounting holes at standard spacings and are a standard distance apart, to allow a variety of equipment to be installed in several configurations.
- Grounding - The mounting brackets are conductive, acting as grounding strips for the cabinet and equipment, allowing the whole cabinet to be connected to the building ground.
- Cable Access - The bottom of the cabinet is usually open, allowing external cables to drop through a raised floor.
The most common type of modern cabinet is known as the "EIA standard" or "19-inch rackmount cabinet", where 19-inch refers to the approximate internal width of the cabinet, from mounting bracket to mounting bracket. For more information, see 19-inch_rack. "Rackmount" computer equipment is standardized to this width, with mounting holes conforming to the mounting bracket standard. The computer height is measured in U`s, where 1U is 1.75 inches.