this post was submitted on 02 May 2025
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Moving servers and rack equipment (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago by dogma11@lemmy.world to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world
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Hi selfhosted community,

I’m in the process of moving across the country and need some advice on the best way to transport my server equipment safely. I have a 15U server rack, a 2U server, a 1U server, a 2U UPS, a 1U PDU, a 1U network switch, a 1U network router, and a 1U patch panel. I’m planning to pack everything into a 4×8 U-Haul trailer along with the rest of my bedroom, desk, and computer equipment.

I ran a few queries into a couple LLMs and they basically say to pack everything in the rack and secure it down. I just couldn't see that working out at all. Figured I might get some human input.

Here are a few questions I have:

  • Packing: What’s the best way to pack these items to ensure they don’t get damaged during transport? Should I use bubble wrap, foam, or just some moving blankets?
  • Securing: I've got plenty of ratchet straps but is there any other - options I should be aware of?
  • Anything else I'm not thinking of atm?

Additional Tips: Any other advice for transporting sensitive electronic equipment would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help! Looking forward to your suggestions.

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[–] dogma11@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Thanks for all the information and tips everyone!
In the end I'm gonna end up doing a combination of things.

Spinning disk drives and power supplies are removed from all systems, large unsecured cards removed from desktop so they can't flop around on the PCIe connection, servers removed from rack, everything wrapped and strapped down as needed.
Drawers mounted in the rack will also be removed as well as UPS, everything else weighs next to nothing and can be safely left in the rack. Most likely store stuff in the cavity of the rack and then wrap the whole rack tight in a plastic packing wrap. I'll get a moisture control box for closets, bathrooms, mud rooms and storage stuff to help control the humidity inside the trailer during the move.
My trip will end up being around 1,600 miles in 2 parts. From Texas to Iowa to Virginia, so who knows what all kind of weather I'll be hitting.

Thanks again for all the help, I'm pretty confident I'll be able to get everything moved safely.