- Empty 1u Rack Mount Enclosure
Mac mini computers make sweet servers for most applications. However, integrating them into a rack poses some challenges. How do you securely mount the minis? How do you keep them cool? How do you turn them on without pulling them out of the rack? How do you plug in a thumb drive for a quick update? Sonnet's RackMac mini solves all these challenges and more!
Server Room Sociable This fully-assembled rackmount solution supports the installation of one or two Mac® mini computers side-by-side into 1U of rack space. Constructed of rugged steel, the RackMac mini places the computers behind a smart front panel. The enclosure’s design manages airflow through the computers to keep them as cool as ambient air—stack them close and stack them high for a Mac mini server farm. The RackMac mini provides a front panel power switch and front panel USB 3.0 port for each computer; built in panel-mount cables connect the ports to your computers' USB ports. Road Trip Ready Do you need to take your mini on the road? The RackMac mini is a perfect solution—its internal rubber bumpers hold your computers firmly in place, even during transport in portable racks. Combine this with a shallow 11-inch mounting depth, and you have a product perfect for use in molded cases such as those from.
The RackMac mini mini’s design also allows normal WiFi and Bluetooth wireless operation in most configurations (depending on rack type and position in rack), so you can use iPhone® or iPad® application control apps. Front Controlled The RackMac mini includes front panel access to each Mac mini’s disc slot (if present), IR receiver, power indicator, power switch, and one USB 3.0 port. From the front panel you can turn on each Mac mini, plus connect a keyboard, mouse, USB drive, or other USB device. Rear Secured RackMac mini allows open access to the computers' ports in the rear of the enclosure.
Holes for cable ties enable you to secure all cables, keeping them tidy while avoiding accidental disconnects. Cool as a Cucumber RackMac mini secures your Mac minis without trapping them in recirculating hot rack air. A strategically designed chamber directs cool air in a one-way path through front panel openings to the computers’ air intakes, and then out the back. RackMac mini's design ensures that cool air goes in a one-way path through the front panel openings to the computers’ air intakes, exiting out the rear. In a single Mac mini configuration, the Sonnet solution's air dam and strategically placed seals help keep air from circulating in the unoccupied computer bay. Whether you install one or two Mac minis, RackMac mini prevents recirculation of hot air around the computers to keep them ambient temperature chill and operating reliably.
Transform a Mac mini with Thunderbolt Technology into a Full-Fledged Expandable Rackmount Server! Are you considering your options for a rack-mounted computer?
Looking to replace an aging Xserve® system? For many applications, a Mac mini or Mac mini with OS X® Server with Thunderbolt technology has all the power necessary to allow it to function as a full size server. But by itself, the Mac mini’s compact size and form factor can limit its potential. Most importantly, it does not provide slots for PCIe expansion cards necessary to increase its functionality and connectivity. Sonnet’s award-winning xMac mini Server PCIe 2.0 expansion system/1U rackmount enclosure addresses these issues and expands a Mac mini’s potential in a big way. Starting with our popular 1U rackmount enclosure as a template, we created a specially-designed 1U rack enclosure to securely house your Mac mini (1), and provide it strategic airflow cooling.
Then, inspired by the demand for our of Thunderbolt 2-to-PCIe card expansion systems, we added two PCIe 2.0 expansion slots (with integrated power supply and fans) that connect to the Mac mini via its Thunderbolt port, included a central power hub for the Mac mini and PCIe slots’ power supply, and finished by adding an additional Thunderbolt 2 port for daisy chaining to other Thunderbolt devices. For added convenience, the front panel provides a USB 3.0 port and a power button while other Mac mini interface ports are extended to the back of the chassis and mounted on the rear panel for convenient interfacing of Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and two USB 3.0 connections. The PCIe expansion slots power on and off in unison with the Mac mini. To support a wide range of popular mobile racks, carts and portable rack cases, the fourth generation xMac mini Server is just 17.75' deep. A Great Design Made Better With thousands of xMac mini Servers in daily use around the world, Sonnet has received great feedback from users, and we have updated this product with the features most important to them. This fourth generation xMac mini Server combines the best qualities of previous models and adds new features to make it the most capable model yet.
The xMac mini server is now equipped with Thunderbolt 2 technology, making it fully compatible with the new Late 2014 Mac mini with dual Thunderbolt 2 ports. The xMac mini Server supports one full-height, full-length card, plus one full-height, half-length card. If you need to install a PCIe card that includes a daughter card, like the ones included with RME’s HDSPe MADI FX card, Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink 4K Extreme, and the Lynx AES16e-50, the supplied mounting bracket allows you to securely mount the daughter card inside the chassis next to the main card, leaving the second PCIe slot open for another PCIe card. The rear panel includes mounting holes for two BNC connectors used for HD/SDI output from cards like the RED ROCKET, or for MADI and word clock input and output from cards like the HDSPe MADI FX. A larger power supply plus an added auxiliary power connector enables this xMac mini server to support even more cards than before.
Built for Future Expansion The xMac mini Server provides you easy access to its PCIe slots and the computer’s ports; simply loosen two thumbscrews and slide the top cover off. Once inside, installing PCIe expansion cards is easy.
An included Thunderbolt cable connects your Mac mini to one of the xMac mini Server’s Thunderbolt 2 ports, linking the PCIe slots to the computer. The xMac mini Server’s second Thunderbolt 2 port allows daisy chaining of additional Thunderbolt peripherals such as additional PCIe expansion (like Sonnet’s rackmount chassis), pro video breakout boxes, video capture and playback devices, audio I/O devices, and more. XMac mini Server as a metadata controller for an Xsan® storage area network? Yes, you can. XMac mini Server as an ingest station for uncompressed HD video? XMac mini server as a virtual sound check, pro audio plug-in DAW and record rig?
This Sonnet solution enables you to expand your Mac mini’s capabilities in ways you never imagined; click the for a few concepts. For PCIe card compatibility information, see our for a list of cards (2) that have been tested to be recognized over a Thunderbolt connection and compatible with Thunderbolt technology requirements. Stays Cool and Very Quiet The fourth generation xMac mini Server integrates a universal 150W power supply and includes an auxiliary PCIe power connector for cards that require supplementary power, such as the Avid® Pro Tools HDX or the RED ROCKET. In short, there is plenty of power for any combination of compatible cards. Built for Speed With the introduction of the Late 2014 Mac mini, 20Gbps Thunderbolt 2 technology-equipped Mac minis are here.
The previous Mac mini with 10Gbps Thunderbolt offered more than sufficient bandwidth to support the maximum performance of most PCIe cards. However, some cards such as the RED ROCKET and RED ROCKET-X, 16Gb Fibre Channel, multi-port 10Gigabit Ethernet, and other bandwidth-hungry cards require more than 10Gbps.
Thunderbolt 2 removes this barrier by providing more bandwidth for demanding applications. The xMac mini Server’s Thunderbolt 2 interface takes full advantage of this increased bandwidth to ensure optimum performance from installed cards when you install a new Mac mini, and yet it is fully compatible with earlier Mac mini computers with 10Gbps Thunderbolt as well. Smart Design Inside and Out The xMac mini Server has numerous thoughtful design touches.
The power supply and fans are user-replaceable. The front panel USB 3.0 port connects to back of the Mac mini, enabling you to connect a keyboard, mouse, or thumb drive to the computer without having to access its ports from the back.
Other Mac mini interface ports are extended to the back of the chassis and mounted on the rear panel for convenient interfacing of Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, and two USB 3.0 cables. A cable passthrough opening on the back panel allows you to route other cables to the computer or the internal connections on an installed card.
One USB 3.0 port on the Mac mini is left available to connect a software license control dongle, such as the iLok, securely within the xMac’s enclosure. The xMac mini Server’s power switch turns the computer on and off without the need for you to reach around back, and the PCIe slots power on/off with the Mac mini for maximum energy savings. An opening in the front panel allows the Mac mini’s power indicator to shine through. There is a central power hub for the computer and power supply for the PCIe slots, enabling you to power everything with one power cord. Sonnet includes an easy-to-install lock that secures Thunderbolt connectors(4) plugged into the xMac’s Thunderbolt 2 ports and prevents accidental cable disconnections.
Holes for cable ties enable you to secure cables inside, keeping them tidy while avoiding accidental disconnects. Threaded holes in the side of the enclosure match up with, which provide you an easy way to pull out your xMac mini Server to access what is inside. Strong Link in the Chain These Sonnet solutions support daisy chaining of additional Thunderbolt technology-enabled peripherals such as an additional Echo Express, the Apple® Thunderbolt Display, video capture devices, and data storage devices. For connected devices requiring extra power, 10 watts is provided through the daisy chain port to peripherals. 5-Year Warranty Included at No Extra Cost There's no need for you to pay an additional 10–20% on top of the purchase price to extend the warranty period beyond one year—Sonnet backs xMac mini Server with its Pro 5-year warranty.
Empty 1u Rack Mount Enclosure
Thunderbolt Cable and ThunderLok™ Included Sonnet includes a Thunderbolt cable to connect the xMac mini Server to your computer, and a ThunderLok Thunderbolt connector retainer clip (4) to secure the cable to the Echo chassis. Thunderbolt connectors are held in place by friction, which works well in situations where equipment remains undisturbed while operating. But when there’s a chance of movement nearby, there’s a chance the Thunderbolt cable can be unintentionally unplugged, possibly leading to loss of your work or data. Sonnet’s ThunderLok prevents accidental cable disconnections from the Echo chassis, and is easy to install and use—just slide it over one end of the cable, and then plug in the connector and secure it to the chassis by turning a thumbscrew.
Because of its unique design, ThunderLok does not attach to the connector, but remains on the cable so it won’t get lost when not in use. XMac mini Server (1) Hardware 5-year Dimensions (WxDxH) 19 x 17.75 x 1.72 in. XMac mini Server Accessories Part No. Scenario 1: Metadata Controller xMac mini Server can transform a Mac mini with OS X Server into a full-function metadata controller for an Xsan setup, or into a metaSAN metadata master. This combo also makes an ideal replacement for an aging Apple Xserve.
With the installation of:. A plugged into the integrated, half-length PCIe card slot. An or ATTO Fibre Channel Adapter card plugged into the full-length PCIe card slot Racking up a second xMac mini setup as described above provides two redundant metadata controllers that occupy a total of just 2U of rack space and cost a fraction of available alternatives. Scenario 2: Large-Capacity RAID Storage Served to More Users xMac mini Server can transform a Mac mini with OS X Server into more robust server with high-capacity RAID storage connected.