Support for Storage Shelf / Bin Rack Layout #147

New Issue

MrUnknownDE · 2026-04-05T16:22:16+02:00

MrUnknownDE commented

2026-04-05 16:22:16 +02:00

Originally created by @rseemarus on 3/14/2026

NetBox version

v4.5.4

Feature type

New functionality

Proposed functionality

Currently, NetBox rack modeling allows only one device per rack unit (U) per face (front/rear). This works well for traditional 19-inch network racks, but it does not represent open storage shelf racks commonly used in IT storage rooms for spare equipment such as wireless access points, switches, and other network devices.

Many organizations maintain storage racks with shelves, where multiple devices can be placed side-by-side or behind each other on a single shelf. For example:

A rack may have 3 shelves.

Each shelf may have multiple columns.

Each column may hold multiple devices depending on the device dimensions.

Use case

Allow rack shelves to support logical columns or storage slots, such as:
Shelf-1
Column-1
Column-2
Column-3
Column-4
Column-5
This would allow devices to be stored logically within the same shelf, instead of restricting the rack to one device per U position.

Additionally, NetBox already allows users to define device types with their physical specifications (height, depth, etc.). These specifications could potentially be used to determine how many devices can fit within a shelf column based on available space.
OR
Organizations often store spare devices (APs, switches, optics) on open shelf racks.
One shelf may contain multiple items arranged in columns.

Example:
Shelf Rack

3 shelves
5 columns per shelf
each column may contain multiple devices

Requested Feature:
Allow rack units to be subdivided into logical storage slots such as:

U42.1
U42.2
U42.3
or
Shelf → Column → Slot

Alternative solution:
Introduce a "Storage Rack" type where rack units can hold multiple devices.

Database changes

No response

External dependencies

No response

*Originally created by @rseemarus on 3/14/2026* ### NetBox version v4.5.4 ### Feature type New functionality ### Proposed functionality Currently, NetBox rack modeling allows only one device per rack unit (U) per face (front/rear). This works well for traditional 19-inch network racks, but it does not represent open storage shelf racks commonly used in IT storage rooms for spare equipment such as wireless access points, switches, and other network devices. Many organizations maintain storage racks with shelves, where multiple devices can be placed side-by-side or behind each other on a single shelf. For example: A rack may have 3 shelves. Each shelf may have multiple columns. Each column may hold multiple devices depending on the device dimensions. ### Use case Allow rack shelves to support logical columns or storage slots, such as: Shelf-1 Column-1 Column-2 Column-3 Column-4 Column-5 This would allow devices to be stored logically within the same shelf, instead of restricting the rack to one device per U position. Additionally, NetBox already allows users to define device types with their physical specifications (height, depth, etc.). These specifications could potentially be used to determine how many devices can fit within a shelf column based on available space. OR Organizations often store spare devices (APs, switches, optics) on open shelf racks. One shelf may contain multiple items arranged in columns. Example: Shelf Rack - 3 shelves - 5 columns per shelf - each column may contain multiple devices Requested Feature: Allow rack units to be subdivided into logical storage slots such as: U42.1 U42.2 U42.3 or Shelf → Column → Slot Alternative solution: Introduce a "Storage Rack" type where rack units can hold multiple devices. ### Database changes _No response_ ### External dependencies _No response_

MrUnknownDE closed this issue

2026-04-05 16:22:16 +02:00

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21455-sql-indexes-audit

21357-register-model-actions

feature

20924-plugin-ui-components

21766-improve-test-coverage-for-sortable-table-columns

21157-export-template-public-models

21025-pre-render-config-contexts

21364-swagger

feature-ip-prefix-link

20911-dropdown-3

fix_module_substitution

21160-filterset

20911-dropdown-2

20044-elevation-stuck-lightmode

7604-filter-modifiers-v3

20660-script-load

19724-graphql

14884-script

19720-macaddress-interface-generic-relation

fix-19669-api-image-download

7604-filter-modifiers

19275-fixes-interface-bulk-edit

fix-17794-get_field_value_return_list

11507-show-aggregate-and-rir-on-api

9583-add_column_specific_search_field_to_tables

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Reference: github/netbox#147