Do I need a cabinet or rack?
A rack is an open frame fixture whereas a cabinet is an enclosure with a door(s). When deciding to buy a rack or cabinet, it is important to consider the following:
1) Equipment; What equipment will be used to put in it? If you require regular access to all sides of the hardware equipment, an open rack may be better suited. If you require extra stability with infrequent access and the hardware is heavy, like servers then a cabinet may be more convenient.
2) Environment; in what environment will you be installing it in? If the conditions are dusty and open, extra protection of a cabinet to enclose the equipment may be better suited.
3) Security; do you require an enclosure that can be locked and kept safe? If so, a enclosed cabinet might be the better choice.