Quiz: Rack & Stack¶
5 questions
L1 (5 questions)¶
1. You're racking a new server. What's the cabling checklist?
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1. Power (redundant PSUs to different PDUs/circuits).2. Network (production NICs, OOB/iDRAC).
3. Label both ends of every cable.
4. Cable management (no blocking airflow).
5. Verify hot/cold aisle orientation.
2. What is hot aisle / cold aisle containment and why does it matter?
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Cold aisle faces server intakes; hot aisle faces exhausts. Containment prevents mixing of hot and cold air, improving cooling efficiency. Without it, hot exhaust recirculates into intakes, causing thermal issues.3. What is the standard unit of rack space and how tall is a full rack?
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One rack unit (1U) = 1.75 inches (44.45mm). A standard full rack is 42U. Half-rack is 22-24U. Most 1U servers hold 1-2 CPUs; 2U servers hold more drives and PCIe slots.4. What factors determine how you position equipment in a rack and why does weight distribution matter?
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Place heaviest equipment (UPS, storage arrays) at the bottom to lower center of gravity and prevent tipping. Network switches go at top-of-rack (ToR) for shortest cable runs. Leave 1-2U gaps for airflow where needed. Keep cable management arms on the rear. Weight limits: a 42U rack typically supports 1000-1500 kg — check floor tile load ratings in raised-floor datacenters. Unbalanced racks are a physical safety hazard during seismic events or when rolling on casters.5. What is the purpose of blanking panels and what happens without them?