- 运输
- 定位
- 安装/拆卸。
***应当注意，“通用”升降机（并非专门为数据中心设计的升降机）不能处理上述所有三种功能。另外，一些销售为“专用”的升降机不能有效地解决这三个问题，使用户面临不必要的风险。
To counteract any false information provided elsewhere, a research team compared how ServerLIFT® and RackLift data center lifts perform in a series of tests. That study was conducted by the Product and Competitive Testing team at 亚利桑那州立大学 （来自工业设计和工程团队的意见）。
以下是在ASU研究中分析的数据中心电梯的关键特征：
- 单位高度和宽度
- 平台覆盖率
- 地板间隙
- 机械安全
- 工程
- 人机工程学
(This evaluation is model non-specific—it applies to all ServerLIFT® models and RackLift models equally, whether one relies on manual hand-cranking or an electric motor, for example.)
Function #1 – Transportation: ServerLIFT® vs. RackLift
速度
A data center lift must move efficiently for server installation. From starting point to the target, the RackLift is slower and more cumbersome. A ServerLIFT® device moves through corridors 25% faster.
导航
A properly designed data center lift must maneuver down narrow aisles and turn smoothly around corners. The RackLift RL600 series requires a wider aisle (48 – 60” [121 – 152 cm]) for maneuvering and cannot turn smoothly around corners. The ServerLIFT® unit maneuvers comfortably in a narrower 36” (91 cm) aisle and can turn corners smoothly.
进入过道两侧的机架
由于大多数数据中心的通道较窄，因此升降机应能够访问通道两侧的服务器机架，而无需旋转设备。使用RackLift设备时，服务器只能从前端装入（或滑出），从而迫使操作员旋转设备使其面向机架并接近机架。为了在服务器的两侧工作，操作员必须在过道另一侧的机柜和升降机之间挤压。然后要在过道另一侧的机架上工作，需要将RackLift旋转180° 另一种方法（这并不总是可能的，具体取决于过道的宽度）。
ServerLIFT® “Easy Glide” platform allows side-to-side installation, which gives the operator access to the rack on either side of the aisle. A ServerLIFT® device 决不 需要转弯，以便操作员在过道的另一侧进行切换和工作。
通过门和入口安装
数据中心电梯应能够通过标准门框和电梯入口将设备从一个房间移到另一个房间。 RackLift装置的高度为82.75英寸（201厘米），因此无法通过标准的门和电梯入口安装，这些装置的门高通常在78至82英寸（198-208厘米）之间。作为补偿，您需要倾斜升降机以使其通过，从而有造成严重伤害的危险。
ServerLIFT® units measure 69.5 inches (176.5 cm) high with its tower fully retracted (the SL-1000X model is 78 inches or 198 cm), so it’s able to pass through both standard door frames and elevator entrances with room to spare.
操作员观察
在里面 ASU研究，两位测试操作员都发现RackLift难以导航。如报告所述，“对于两个用户而言，驾驶RackLift更加困难。他们很难转动，停止和制动电梯。添加服务器并且句柄不是很有用时，可见性大大降低了。”
As for the ServerLIFT® unit, maneuvering it “was generally easy for both users except for some minor details.”
清除障碍物
数据中心电梯必须能够在障碍物上导航，而不会损坏设备或对操作员造成伤害。 RackLift的间隙仅为1.25厘米（0.5英寸）。即使没有装载，RackLift的间隙也很小，无法安全地通过电源线通道，坡道和门槛。这可能会导致翻倒，从而使车载服务器，操作员和周围的设备陷入严重危险。
ServerLIFT® device, with nearly a full inch (2.5 cm) of ground clearance, safely passes over all types of obstructions, when loaded or unloaded, without tipping.
Function #2 – Positioning: ServerLIFT® vs. RackLift
将服务器放入机架
理想的数据中心升降机应有助于将服务器和其他设备安装到任何机架和每个机架单元中。 RackLift设备仅能到达标准42U机架的顶部。
On the other hand, with its extendable tower and modular platform accessories, the ServerLIFT® data center lift can safely support devices up to the top of a 62U rack (112 inches, or 284.5 cm).
Only ServerLIFT® devices offer control over the alignment of servers. Any ServerLIFT® device can angle equipment into slotted and drop-in rails using the RS-500X Rail Lift.
Function #3 – Installation/Removal: ServerLIFT® vs. RackLift
The 3rd essential function of a data center lift is to assist with installing and removing servers in a safe and efficient manner. Both the ServerLIFT® and RackLift provide physical support for devices into and out of server cabinets.
但是，RackLift在许多相关类别中都不够，包括操作员的出入，稳定性和支持。
安装期间访问服务器
在安装到机架的过程中，应该对服务器有明确的访问权限。在RackLift上并非如此。服务器放置在一个四柱框架内。该机架以及稳定的皮带和绞盘会阻塞或完全挡住可见性和进入性，迫使操作员进入机架内部以进行危险的服务器安装或拆卸。
ServerLIFT® devices provide completely clear and safe access to the server during the installation process. Rather than housing the server in a semi-enclosed frame, the ServerLIFT® platform supports the server forward and clear of its single vertical mast and lifting mechanisms, which are at the rear and out of the way. This leaves all sides of the server open, unobstructed, and available to the operator.
安装过程中的举升稳定
在吊装，从机架中卸下设备或将其安装到机架中时，必须始终稳定数据中心电梯以确保安全。由于升降机是安装在滚轮上的，如果固定不当，则升降机将在设备在平台上滑落或滑离平台时移动，从而给操作员和设备造成严重危险。
为了固定RackLift，操作员必须花时间在四个不同的位置将设备捆绑到机柜上，并应用两个后轮上的制动锁。 RackLift取决于机架的支持。机架本身通常仅固定到过道中的其他机架，并装有昂贵的服务器。如果没有机架，RackLift及其设备将不断滚动或翻倒。这就是为什么总是显示RackLift与多个人一起使用的原因-需要一个人来稳定它，然后一个人来操作它。
With a ServerLIFT® device, securing the lift requires the application of a single brake. The machine is locked down and rear wheels are lifted off of the floor. With this feature, the ServerLIFT® device remains 独立地 稳定，并且 它根本不会动 当重型服务器在其上滑动时，可以提供持续，稳定，可靠的支持。制动踏板很大，易于接合，并且在任何时候都可以从设备后部完全触及。
安装期间的服务器稳定
Both RackLift and ServerLIFT® devices provide horizontal shelf support into the rack, and RackLift even goes as far as providing an additional 14 inches of support. However, that extra shelf support length comes at the cost of extra device width, making it difficult to use in an aisle narrower than 60 inches (152 cm) and impossible to use in increasingly common 36-inch aisles.
ServerLIFT®’s built-in Easy Glide Shelf™ 在机架的左右两侧增加了6英寸的横向运动，使操作员即使在窄至3英尺宽的过道中也可以在设备周围走动并舒适地工作。
ServerLIFT® vs. RackLift: Weight Capacity
RackLift states that its RL600S hand-cranked lift has a greater weight capacity at 600 pounds (272 kg) than the 350 pounds (158.7 kg) capacity of the ServerLIFT® SL-350X hand-cranked device. This does not tell the whole story. First, lifting servers with a weight over 300 pounds (let alone 600 pounds) by hand cranking requires a tremendous amount of arm and shoulder strength. It is difficult work, and the amount of both effort and force risks injury to the operator.
That is why ServerLIFT® rates all of its server-handling solutions appropriately. We offer data center lift options in 500-pound (226 kg) and 1,000-pound (454 kg) capacities with electric winches, not the arm and shoulder of a data center technician. The ServerLIFT® SL-350X device that RackLift compares to its RL600S model was designed for a 350-pound weight limit because, as a manual hand-crank lift, it shouldn’t be used to lift greater weight. Manual hand cranking above the 350-pound limit poses inappropriate levels of physical strain, even for occasional use.
选择数据中心电梯时，请确保选择的设备能够处理100%的基本功能。提防制造商将其设备称为“专用”的误导甚至虚假声明。专用设备意味着专用于处理日常数据中心运营的所有功能方面的设备。它不能不能安全地完成所有任务，从而迫使操作员承担事故或伤害风险。
要从ASU的独立研究中了解更多信息， 点击这里
