StarTech.com 2-Post 8U Open Frame Wall Mount Network Rack with Built-in Shelf, Wall Mount Data Rack with Adjustable Depth for AV / Computer / IT Equipment, TAA Compliant Server Rack (WALLSHELF8U)

This is not the type of item that you are going to find in a standard household. But it is a type of product that you’ll find in a special breed of self taught techies and makers and there’s a small, but growing minority of us that happen to be female. So this review is from a female techie perspective that needed things to meet very specific requirements.The StarTech 8 RU wall-mount unit (WALLSHELF8U) is extremely well made overall, I was impressed by the overall quality (except for the lag bolts included). It’s especially good if you only have a small space to work with and your needs are modest. Unfortunately, the unit will not work with the majority of servers without some creative modification as the maximum depth is only 18″ fully extended. However, in my case this rack turned out to be perfect for my needs and exceeded my expectations.I reviewed many small wall-mount racks before I finally settled on this one. The turning point for me was that the depth of the rack is adjustable so it was helpful in my case since I had some rack mountable devices that were between 12 and 18 inches deep. 3/4 of the overall rack can be easily adjusted from a 12″ to 18″ depth, the rest of the rack is limited to a 12″ depth.Mounting the rack can be a bit challenging if you’re doing alone and a somewhat small person like me. However, I was able to securely mount it to the wall solo by setting it on a step ladder while i mounted it to the wall. The mounting template turned out to be a very nice touch and made mounting much easier for me. It may be a small touch, but if you’re mounting this rack alone it is very helpful. The rack is heavy. You still need a level, but it’s much easier to use a level with a lightweight template than trying to get a heavy wall-mount level afterwards. I can’t say enough about the small touch of adding the template as an installation aid.The only thing I didn’t like was the size of the mounting screws which I thought were too shallow for my mounting needs. Therefore, I did purchase larger anchor bolts than what was provided (the ones provided seemed a bit small to me for the amount of weight I was planning to put on it. I decided not to use a backer-board as I didn’t see any real benefit. Instead I purchased some polyurethane and nickel platted washers to place between the rack and the wall which in the end looked much cleaner than going a backer-board route.The rack itself is extremely well built and solid – I am a fairly small lady, but it supported my full weight after it was mounted which exceeds the manufactures specifications. I also liked the spacing and positioning of the tie-off points. I very picky about cable management and the placement of tie-off points definitely makes cable management easier for me, but it would have been nice if there were some tie-off points on the side interior and exterior as opposed to just the interior back.

It’s sturdy and well made, but different from other Startech racks in ways you may not expect. It’s painted rather than powder coated which gives is a different, smoother finish that doesn’t match other Startech gear like shelves and isn’t as durable. The rails are also threaded instead of having square holes for cage nuts. It’s also light, remarkably so compared to other Startech 8U racks. For some, it’s probably perfect—clean looks and built in shelf—but I found the other 8U offerings to be better.