So many Network Managers focus entirely on their rack-mounted servers and the connected infrastructure. However, so many times, it’s the other aspects of the infrastructure which might be over-looked. A few weeks ago, I was having a chat with network manager, he explained that because they suddenly added a large number of servers to their server room, the next time they reviewed their UPS infra-structure, they worked out, that if the a power went down, they had 8 seconds to shut everything down. Hardly enough to safe-shutdown the servers, let alone run them until power was restored.
People are more likely to ignore the cooling requirements of a server room. Server rooms generate an enormous amount of heat, and must be kept cool in order to keep them running. Run away heat gain can end the life of a computer. Many computer rooms have some sort of cooling in place, usually an air conditioner installation. So why don’t more consider a backup air con unit?.
A sensible option to get full value out of equipment and to keep it in good running order is to prepare the data centre to receive one, and to purchase a suitable mobile air con unit. Then, while the data centre has it’s installed system working, use portable air conditioner for comfort cooling in occupied offices. If the computer room cooling system breaks down, then it’s simply a matter of wheeling your mobile air con unit into place and powering it up. This way, the information technology centre can keep running until refrigeration engineers can get on site to repair it.
At the height of summer, air conditioning systems can break down without warning. Hire centres may not have suitable machines available. If the computers running is important, you really need some sort of emergency cooling on stand-by, however people seldom do. One to consider might be water cooled split portable air conditioner these are very efficient, more so than a normal air to air unit, they can be piped thirty metres from the outdoor unit.
