

A wall mount network rack is an enclosure designed to be mounted on a suitable wall or supporting structure. It keeps networking equipment organised without occupying the same floor space as a freestanding cabinet.
Wall-mounted racks are commonly considered for:
Elixir Network offers Wall Mount Network Racks in 4U, 6U, 9U, 12U and 15U configurations.
These racks include features such as 19-inch mounting rails, cable-entry provisions, ventilation and lockable front doors, depending on the configuration.
A wall mount rack may be the right choice when your installation has a relatively small number of rack-mounted devices.
For example, a small office may need space for a network switch, patch panel, router and PDU. A wall-mounted configuration can accommodate a compact setup while preserving floor space.
It can also be useful when networking equipment needs to be distributed across different parts of a building rather than concentrated in one central room.
However, the wall and mounting arrangement must be suitable for the loaded rack. Equipment weight, rack depth, accessibility and the manufacturer's mounting requirements should all be considered before installation.
A floor standing network rack is a freestanding enclosure designed to accommodate larger networking and IT installations.
It can provide more rack space for multiple devices and is often used in environments where network infrastructure is central to daily operations.
Common applications include:
Elixir Network's Floor Mount Racks are available in configurations ranging from 17U to 42U.
These racks are intended for equipment such as servers, switches, patch panels, UPS systems and LAN/WAN infrastructure.
A floor standing rack is worth considering when your installation requires more equipment capacity or needs to accommodate several types of devices in one location.
For example, a factory may need to house multiple network switches, patch panels, servers, power distribution equipment and cable-management components.
A floor standing rack can provide the space required to organise these devices in a single installation.
It is also worth considering when the network is expected to grow and additional rack-mounted equipment may be introduced over time.
The main difference is how each rack accommodates equipment and fits into the installation environment.
Wall mount racks
Wall-mounted racks help preserve floor space, making them useful for smaller rooms, offices and distributed network points. However, they still require sufficient wall space and clearance for opening the enclosure and servicing equipment.
Floor standing racks
Floor standing racks occupy floor space but can accommodate larger equipment installations. They are generally more appropriate when a dedicated network room or equipment area is available.
Wall mount racks
Wall-mounted racks are suitable for compact installations. Elixir's range extends from 4U to 15U, making it relevant for smaller networking setups.
Floor standing racks
Floor standing racks provide greater capacity for larger installations. Elixir's range extends from 17U to 42U, allowing room for more rack-mounted equipment.
The required capacity should be calculated using the dimensions of the actual equipment, not just the number of devices.
Wall mount racks
These require a suitable wall or supporting structure capable of carrying the fully loaded rack. The installation should account for equipment weight, mounting hardware and safe access.
Floor standing racks
These require an appropriate floor location and sufficient space for installation, access and maintenance. The floor and rack placement must be suitable for the loaded enclosure.
Both rack types can support organised cabling when planned properly.
Wall-mounted racks can work well for compact installations with fewer network connections. Larger floor standing racks may be more practical when multiple switches, patch panels and high cable volumes need to be accommodated.
Elixir's networking accessories include 1U cable managers, cantilever trays, fans and PDUs to support rack organisation.
Networking equipment generates heat, so ventilation should be considered for either rack type.
Wall-mounted racks can be suitable for smaller installations, provided the equipment's cooling requirements are met.
Floor standing racks may be more appropriate for larger equipment groups, where heat generation and airflow need more careful planning.
The cooling solution should always be based on the equipment specifications, installation conditions and total heat load.
Wall-mounted racks can make compact installations easier to organise, but access may be restricted by the mounting height, available clearance and rack depth.
Floor standing racks can be convenient for larger installations where equipment needs to be accessed regularly. The final layout should allow sufficient space for servicing devices and managing cables.
Wall-mounted racks can be suitable when the network is relatively stable and the expected equipment requirements are limited.
Floor standing racks may be preferable when the network is expected to grow significantly, particularly if additional switches, servers, patch panels or power equipment are planned.
Neither type should be selected without considering future requirements.
For a small office with a limited number of network devices, a wall mount rack is often a practical starting point.
It can accommodate a compact network setup without taking up valuable floor space.
A larger office with several departments, multiple network switches, servers and more extensive cabling may benefit from a floor standing rack.
The decision should depend on the equipment list, rack space required and the availability of a suitable installation area.
Before choosing, identify which devices need to be housed inside the rack and whether the network is likely to expand.
Factories can have more complex networking requirements than conventional offices.
A manufacturing facility may need to support:
A floor standing rack can be suitable for a central network room that houses a larger amount of equipment.
Wall mount racks may also be useful for smaller network points distributed across different sections of the facility.
For example, a factory could use a central floor standing rack for its main network equipment and smaller wall-mounted racks for selected distribution points.
The layout should be planned around the building, cable routes and network architecture. For additional guidance, see how to plan network cabling for a factory in Gujarat.
The right rack depends on the number of cameras, the recording equipment and where the network equipment will be located.
A smaller CCTV setup with a switch and limited supporting equipment may be suitable for a wall mount rack.
A larger surveillance installation with several switches, recording devices and supporting equipment may require a floor standing rack.
If the network equipment must be installed outdoors, an indoor wall mount or floor standing rack should not automatically be treated as suitable for the exposed environment.
Elixir offers Outdoor Network Racks in IP55 and IP65 configurations for outdoor networking, surveillance, telecom and industrial infrastructure applications.
The appropriate enclosure should be selected according to the actual environmental exposure and equipment requirements.
Rack capacity is measured in rack units, commonly written as U.
The required capacity depends on the rack-mounted equipment and the space needed for supporting components.
When calculating rack space, consider:
Also check the depth of the equipment and the clearance required for cables and servicing.
A rack with sufficient height may still be unsuitable if the equipment is too deep or cable routing becomes difficult.
Elixir's wall mount range covers 4U to 15U, while its floor mount range covers 17U to 42U. These ranges can help narrow down the options, but the final choice should be based on the actual installation plan.
A wall mount rack may be a practical option for a small installation, particularly when floor space is limited and the equipment load is modest.
However, the purchase price should not be the only consideration.
Compare the total requirements, including:
Choosing a rack that is too small can lead to an early replacement or a second installation. Choosing a much larger rack than necessary can also be inefficient.
The aim is to select a rack that meets the current requirements while allowing reasonable room for expected growth.
Rack height does not tell you whether the rack has enough depth or whether the equipment will fit comfortably.
Wall-mounted racks require a suitable supporting structure. Floor standing racks also need an appropriate installation surface and placement.
Switches and patch panels can create substantial cabling requirements. Plan cable entry and cable management before installing the equipment.
The rack must accommodate the cooling requirements of the devices installed inside it.
Consider likely additions such as switches, patch panels, servers and PDUs before finalising the rack size.
Outdoor installations require an enclosure designed for the environmental conditions. Consider the rack, cable, connectors and cable-entry points together.
Before making a purchase, confirm the following:
Answering these questions will help determine whether a wall mount or floor standing rack is the more suitable choice.
A wall mount rack attaches to a suitable supporting structure and is commonly used for compact networking installations. A floor standing rack sits on the floor and is generally used for larger equipment installations requiring more rack space.
Yes. They can be suitable for smaller network distribution points or compact installations within factories, provided the mounting structure, equipment load and installation environment are appropriate.
Consider a floor standing rack when you need more capacity for servers, multiple switches, patch panels, UPS systems and other rack-mounted equipment.
Elixir's wall mount racks are available in 4U, 6U, 9U, 12U and 15U configurations. Select the size according to the equipment dimensions, cable-management requirements and expected expansion.
Elixir's floor mount range includes 17U to 42U configurations. The appropriate size depends on equipment height, depth, cable routing, ventilation and future requirements.
Use a rack specifically designed for the intended outdoor conditions. Elixir's Outdoor Racks include IP55 and IP65 configurations. Check the enclosure rating and installation requirements before selecting a model.
Depending on the installation, both may benefit from cable managers, trays, fans and PDUs. The required accessories depend on equipment layout, cable volume, power needs and cooling requirements.
The choice between a wall mount rack and a floor standing rack comes down to the scale of your network, available space, equipment requirements and plans for expansion.
A wall mount rack can be a practical choice for compact offices, CCTV installations and smaller network distribution points. A floor standing rack is often more suitable for server rooms, larger offices and factories with extensive networking equipment.
For outdoor installations, the environmental requirements must also be considered before choosing an enclosure.
Elixir Network offers Wall Mount Racks, Floor Mount Racks, Outdoor Racks and networking accessories for different infrastructure requirements.
The best rack is not necessarily the biggest one. It is the one that accommodates your equipment safely, keeps cabling organised, supports maintenance and provides the capacity your installation actually needs.

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Debut House members have access to engage with their industry's top pros and sharpen their creative skills.
Debut House members have access to engage with their industry's top pros and sharpen their creative skills.
Debut House members have access to engage with their industry's top pros and sharpen their creative skills.