It is appreciated that the size of the compartments and the number of individual IT components (or IHSs) housed within each compartment can vary. Each compartment has an access door from a front facing side and is bordered on one side by a first side panel 131, 141, 151 of a corresponding rack. Each first side panel 131, 141, 151 can include a plurality of vertically aligned openings 310A-D and 312A-D (see FIG. 3) through which power and data/networking/communication cables can be extended into the respective compartment. In one or more embodiments, the first side panel is divided into multiple first side panels, with the number of side panels provided on each rack being a design choice. With the multiple panel configuration, each side panel is shorter and can be individually attached to the side of the rack.

Each rack is also configured with a second side panel 152 that extends down the opposite side from the cable guide. The second side panel 152 can be perforated for air movement, but does not include any openings sufficiently large for exterior access into the compartment from the second side panel. In one or more embodiments, the horizontal partitions seal a top and bottom of each compartment from physical access from the top and bottom, respectively of the compartment. While not presented as a horizontal partition, per se, the base of each IHS rack 100A-C and top of each IHS rack 100A-C are also configured with an attached panel that likewise prevents access to the bottom IT compartment and the top IT compartment.