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Enterprise Cabinets: 

A 19-inch rack is a standardized frame or enclosure for mounting multiple electronic equipment modules. Each module has a front panel that is 19 inches (48.3 cm) wide. The 19-inch dimension includes the edges, or “ears”, that protrude on each side which allow the module to be fastened to the rack frame with screws. Common uses include server, telecom, broadcast video, lighting, audio, and scientific lab equipment.

19-inch server racks can vary in qualities. A standard 19-inch server rack cabinet is typically 42u in height, 19 inches (482.60 mm) wide, and 36 inches (914.40 mm) deep. Newer server rack cabinets come with adjustable mounting rails allowing the user to place the rails at a shorter depth if needed. There are a multitude of specialty server racks including soundproof server racks, air conditioned server racks, NEMA rated, seismic rated, open frame, narrow, and even miniature 19-inch racks for smaller applications.

Equipment designed to be placed in a rack is typically described as rack-mount, rack-mount instrument, a rack mounted system, a rack mount chassis, subrack, rack mountable, or occasionally simply shelf. The height of the electronic modules is also standardized as multiples of 1.752 inches (44.50 mm) or one rack unit or U.

It was an established standard with holes tapped for 12-24 screws with alternating spacings of 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) and 0.5 inches (12.70 mm). The EIA standard was revised again in 1992 to comply with the 1988 public law 100-418, setting the standard U as 15.9 mm (0.626 in) + 15.9 mm (0.626 in) + 12.7 mm (0.500 in), making each “U” 44.50 millimetres (1.752 in).

Racks carrying telecom equipment like routers and switches often have extra width to accommodate the many cables on the sides.

Electronic Industries Alliance EIA-310-D, Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment, dated September 1992. (Latest Standard Now REV E 1996) 

Consumer Electronics Association CEA-310-E design requirements for Cabinets, Panels, Racks and Subracks., dated December 14, 2005 

All enclosures contain racks, but not all racks have enclosures. A server rack is simply the framework upon which network equipment is mounted. Enclosures are racks fitted with side panels , front and rear doors. To “enclose” them, if you will, floor mounting will bring the highest level of efficiency when it comes to installing servers and other pieces of network equipment. Because of very high load capacities, floor enclosures will generally be able to handle anything you need to install up to its space capacity. Wall enclosures are often used to isolate certain groups of related equipment for more convenient access. Wall mounting is also a great solution for preventing auxiliary equipment from taking up too much precious real estate in your floor enclosure.