Vertiv VS3350 42U 3.5kW Integrated SmartCabinet
Overview
The Vertiv VS3350 is a 42U integrated SmartCabinet designed for distributed IT deployments where space is constrained and on-site IT staff may be limited or absent. Rather than assembling separate rack, cooling, power, and monitoring components, the VS3350 ships as a self-contained infrastructure unit — cooling capacity starts at 3.5kW and scales to 7.0kW depending on the configuration you select. If you're deploying edge compute, networking gear, or small server loads in branch offices, retail back rooms, or remote facilities, this kind of pre-integrated enclosure cuts commissioning time and eliminates the compatibility guesswork that comes with mix-and-match builds. Explore the full Vertiv infrastructure catalog for compatible UPS, PDU, and thermal management products.
Key Features
- Scalable Cooling Configurations (3.5kW or 7.0kW): The VS3350 is available in both 3.5kW and 7.0kW cooling capacity variants, along with multiple rack sizes. That means you can right-size the enclosure to your actual heat load rather than over-provisioning — important when you're managing infrastructure cost across many distributed sites. Check your worst-case thermal draw before selecting; the 3.5kW model is appropriate for lighter switching and compute loads, while denser GPU or storage deployments will need the higher-capacity variant.
- Zero-U Cooling Architecture (Full Rack Utilization): The integrated cooling system occupies zero rack units, leaving every U-slot available for IT equipment. In a 42U enclosure, that distinction matters — a conventional in-rack cooling unit can consume 2–4U per installation. More usable U-space per cabinet means fewer enclosures per site and lower real estate overhead per deployed rack. For rack enclosure deployments in constrained floor plans, this is a meaningful efficiency gain.
- Compatible with Liebert GXT5 UPS and Vertiv rPDUs: The VS3350 is designed to integrate with the Vertiv Liebert GXT5 UPS for uninterrupted backup power and with Vertiv intelligent rPDUs for managed power distribution. If your remote site SLA requires runtime through a utility outage, this pairing gives you a validated path to redundant power without sourcing components from multiple vendors. Consult your UPS system sizing requirements against your actual load before ordering.
- Emergency Backup Fans (Continuous Airflow Assurance): Built-in emergency backup fans activate to maintain airflow if the primary cooling system is interrupted. In a lights-out remote deployment, an overheating event without this failsafe can mean unplanned downtime before anyone is dispatched to the site. The backup fan system provides a thermal safety net that buys time for remediation without an immediate site visit.
- 9-Inch Integrated HMI Display: A 9-inch touchscreen HMI is built directly into the enclosure for local monitoring and control. For deployments where remote monitoring infrastructure isn't fully in place yet — or where local technicians need a quick status read without connecting a laptop — the on-enclosure display provides at-a-glance visibility into cabinet conditions. This is particularly useful during initial commissioning and for periodic on-site health checks at edge locations.
- Edge and Branch Deployment Optimization: The integrated design — rack, cooling, power compatibility, and local display in one unit — is purpose-built for distributed IT environments where a traditional raised-floor data center approach isn't practical. Whether you're rolling out infrastructure across retail locations, manufacturing floors, or remote offices, the VS3350 reduces the number of vendors and site-specific integration steps involved. For multi-site deployments, standardizing on a single enclosure platform simplifies sparing, maintenance procedures, and remote management policies.
Integration and Compatibility
The VS3350 is engineered to work within the Vertiv ecosystem. Pairing it with the Liebert GXT5 UPS delivers validated backup power, while Vertiv intelligent rPDUs provide outlet-level monitoring and control. For centralized management of multiple cabinet deployments, consult Vertiv's thermal and power management software offerings — the VS3350's HMI provides local visibility, but enterprise-scale monitoring typically requires a network management layer above the enclosure. Review your power protection architecture and ensure your rPDU selection matches the VS3350's power input and outlet requirements for your region. North American configurations are specified under this model number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the cooling capacity of the VS3350, and is there a higher-capacity version available?
A: The VS3350 supports a 3.5kW cooling capacity. Vertiv also offers a 7.0kW configuration in the SmartCabinet family — if your anticipated heat load exceeds 3.5kW, evaluate the higher-capacity variant before committing to this model.
Q: Does the VS3350 include a UPS, or is that a separate purchase?
A: The VS3350 does not include a UPS in the base unit. It is compatible with the Vertiv Liebert GXT5 UPS for backup power integration, which is purchased separately. Verified compatibility with the GXT5 is documented by Vertiv.
Q: What does the zero-U cooling design mean in practice?
A: The cooling system is integrated into the enclosure structure itself rather than mounted in rack unit slots. This means all 42U of rack space remain available for IT equipment — you don't lose usable U-space to cooling hardware as you would with a traditional in-rack cooling unit.
Q: Is the VS3350 intended for North American electrical configurations?
A: Yes. The VS3350 designation indicates the North American configuration of the Vertiv SmartCabinet ID product. Confirm your local power input requirements before ordering, and ensure any paired rPDU or UPS is specified for your site's voltage and plug standards.
Q: What does the 9-inch HMI display monitor?
A: The integrated 9-inch HMI touchscreen provides continuous local monitoring of cabinet conditions. Specific parameters displayed depend on the sensors and connected infrastructure — consult Vertiv's product documentation for the full list of monitored data points available through the HMI interface.
Q: Can the VS3350 be managed remotely without someone at the HMI?
A: Remote management capability depends on the connected Vertiv rPDUs and any network management software deployed alongside the unit. The VS3350's HMI provides local visibility; centralized remote monitoring across multiple cabinets typically requires a Vertiv network management platform integrated at the infrastructure level.
The VS3350 stands out to me specifically because of the zero-U cooling architecture — in a 42U cabinet, that's the difference between 42 usable slots and potentially 38 if you shoehorn in conventional in-rack cooling. When I'm scoping an edge deployment across 20 or 30 branch sites, that delta adds up fast, either in fewer cabinets needed or denser equipment per location.
Technical Highlights:
- 3.5kW Integrated Cooling: Right-sized for typical branch IT loads — switching, routing, edge compute. Not the right choice for dense GPU or heavy storage — move to the 7.0kW variant if your thermal draw is close to or above 3.5kW under sustained load.
- Emergency Backup Fans: Lights-out remote sites are where this matters most. If primary cooling falters at 2am at a branch office with no local IT staff, the backup fans provide continued airflow and prevent a thermal shutdown until a technician can respond.
- Liebert GXT5 + rPDU Integration: Validated ecosystem pairing means you're not testing compatibility in the field. Specifying the GXT5 and Vertiv rPDUs at design time gives you a known-good power architecture backed by the same vendor as the enclosure.
Deployment Considerations:
- The VS3350 is a North American configuration — confirm site power specs (voltage, phase, amperage) against your rPDU and UPS selections before the purchase order goes out. Mismatched power infrastructure on a remote site is an expensive truck roll to fix.
- The 9-inch HMI is a local interface, not a substitute for network-layer monitoring. For multi-site visibility and alerting, budget for a Vertiv network management platform alongside this unit — the HMI alone won't notify you of a cooling event at 3am.
The VS3350 is the right call for a standardized edge rollout across branch offices, retail locations, or light industrial sites where you need a pre-integrated enclosure that a generalist technician can commission without deep data center expertise on-site.
