APC NetShelter AV, Server Rack Enclosure, 42U, 10-32 Threaded Rails, without Sides, Roofs, Doors, Black, 1991H x 600W x 806D mm

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you’re planning a straightforward server-room install where you already know the airflow plan and you don’t need a “sealed” cabinet experience, the APC NetShelter AV 42U is a solid, no-drama choice. The key word here is *flexible*: being supplied without sides/roof/doors means you’re not paying extra for panels you may not want, and it can make cabling, patching, and day-to-day maintenance genuinely easier. APC’s rails and build quality are usually spot-on for UK B2B environments, and you’re paying for that “it’ll just fit, and it’ll stay square” reputation.

That said, I wouldn’t buy this if your priority is dust control, security, or a neat front-to-back user experience. Open sides/absence of doors/roof generally means more dust ingress, more visible cabling, and fewer ways to control access. For AV-style or training setups it can be great; for compliance-heavy or shared spaces it’s often a pain later. At ~£1,476 ex-VAT, it’s not cheap for an “open frame” style option, so I’d only go for it if you’re confident about your surrounding environment and you’ve got a plan for monitoring/locks/airflow. If you want a rack that’s ready to behave like a cabinet from day one, you’ll likely be better off stepping up to a fully enclosed configuration.