How to Ship a Server or Other Device

As a colocation host we see pretty much every type of shipping that you can see when it comes to servers and devices. Some of it is pretty well done but plenty of it is very poorly done. I thought I’d make these suggestions on how to ship your severs and devices. It will make your shipment safer.

1. Double box everything: Try to use the manufactures double box. If you only have a single box, go to a UPS or other store and find a second box to use. They cost a few dollars but provide a lot of protection. Most manufactures will also send you new boxes and foam for free if you are the original owner. Also, make sure to put your server or device in a sealed plastic bag to help protect against moisture during shipping.

2. Do NOT use foam peanuts to pack any device: Use the foam inserts that come with the unit or use bubble wrap or air bags. Peanuts get in to everything. They also build up static charges. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen inexperienced hosts open boxes filled with peanut foam to have it get blown all over a data center or sucked in to a $100k air conditioning system. I know data centers that will no longer bring unopened boxes in to the data space because of the problems associated with peanut foam.

3. Identify your server: Put your name, telephone number, email, IP address and main domain name and the operating system on the server. You can use a labeling machine, or to keep it simple, take a standard index card and tape the card with your information on the top of the server.

4. Label your server: If you are only using one NIC card put some type of dot or tape next to the input to identify it. If you are using multiple NIC cards number them. If you need a Xover cable rather than a standard cable mark the NIC card with an X so the techs know which is which.

5. Include the rails. If you don’t have rails please let us know ahead of time.

6. Make sure you include the power cord.

7. If you have a reboot disk label it with your information and include

8. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: Check your system bios so that the server will reboot without a keyboard or monitor or after a power off. 95% of the servers that fail to come on-line after a reboot are due to having the bios set wrong. If you need to know how to do this please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.