CAFM & IT
server room with ideal environmental conditions is an important aspect of supporting business continuity.
Microsoft is an example of a company taking the temperature of its servers very seriously. Always in search of innovative ways to maintain its datacentres’ temperature, Microsoft is investigating the possibility of using the natural cooling power of the ocean to manage the temperature of its servers. Despite this not being a reality just yet, there are plenty of other ways to effectively cool datacentres.
COMMON ISSUES As professionals working in the
datacentre space will know, large concentrations of servers produce exceptional amounts of heat. Despite servers having internal CPU cooling fans, datacentres still require additional attention when it comes to maintaining an optimum temperature resulting in a constant challenge for datacentre managers.
“IN 2014, 60% OF
ENTERPRISES SUFFERED DOWNTIME WITH CONSEQUENCES
INCLUDING LOSS OF REVENUE.”
Depending on the equipment present, the optimum temperature for a server room tends to be around 21°C. This temperature can be difficult to maintain due to a number of factors. Common causes of an overheating server room include the way servers are arranged. Placing them too closely together can restrict airflow, leading to hot spots. Often organisations are short of space and have many units to accommodate, which is why server rooms can often become tightly packed and difficult to regulate.
Businesses can also find themselves adding more equipment to a server room without increasing their air conditioning (AC) capacity. These increased heat loads can lead to the ineffective operation of the installed air conditioning system, which may
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WHEN ASSESSING YOUR FACILITY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
DESIGN
• Maximise space within a server room to create a steady airflow throughout
• Remove any unnecessary clutter and neatly arrange server cables to avoid trip hazards and reduce the chances of unplugging a cable by accident
EQUIPMENT
• Ensure all doors leading out of the server room are closed to prevent temperature spikes and the intrusion of airborne particles from settling on the equipment
• Check air filters as they can become clogged with dust particles which can accumulate if not inspected and cleaned regularly
• Blanking panels (closeout filler panels) can be used to improve datacentre airflow. Placed on the front of any unused rack space, the panels will reduce the recirculation of hot air within the rack and improve airflow to the installed equipment
TEMPERATURE
• Install a temperature monitor to alert the facilities/ IT manager if the room is becoming too warm and there is a risk of over-heating
• If the location requires an immediate solution, portable units, which can be installed almost instantly are a good option
not present a problem in the winter months, but as summer temperatures rise, equipment reliability can suffer under the added strain.
In most cases, air conditioning, both fixed and portable, can be used to help keep cold air in circulation within a server room, with the ability
to convert and recycle the warm air generated by servers.
BACKING-UP YOUR
BACK-UP Given the critical nature of business continuity and the substantial costs of downtime, most organisations will have a temperature contingency plan in place. Research shows that in 2014, 60% of enterprises suffered downtime with consequences including loss of revenue (cited by 34%) and loss of customer confidence (cited by 29%). In fact, data loss and downtime cost enterprises around the world $1.7 trillion in 2014, with an estimated cost of $5,600 per minute.
It is not only larger organisations that need to consider an AC contingency solution in the event of a back- up system failure. Businesses of all sizes should be ready with a secondary air conditioning back-up plan. Secondary back-up solutions may be required for a variety of reasons. For example, a datacentre’s AC system may be undergoing planned maintenance, or it could be the case that the primary back-up system fails and the consequences are too severe not to have an emergency solution installed.
It has been predicted that by 2024, business servers worldwide will annually process the digital equivalent of a stack of books extending more than 4.37 light-years to Alpha Centauri, the Solar System’s closest star. With this amount of data running through servers, it is essential that organisations are prepared for all eventualities.
As the pressure on servers grows, inspecting current air conditioning solutions is necessary to ensure the effective running of equipment. IT managers should ensure that regular maintenance inspections are carried out on all equipment by a qualified maintenance technician. This is recommended to take place every three months and involves checking the effective functioning of all components within the unit or fixed system.
www.andrews-sykes.com TOMORROW’S FM | 49
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