How to Cool a Small Server Room?

Normally, server equipment arranged in large systems is stored in specialized data centers, where all the required environmental conditions are satisfied. Specialized premises are equipped with powerful air fans and sensors to maintain the required environment.

However, not all businesses have their own DCs. Many organizations need small network systems and place them in offices, storerooms, or even houses. In such cases, it is important to consider the issue of proper system cooling in small premises.

Before you arrange and set up a server system, you should know that climatic conditions play a vital role in hardware functioning. Thus, server rack airflow management is one of the key issues to consider at the stage of planning server systems.

The thing is that network equipment heats well during functioning, which can result in overheating if a cooling strategy is chosen incorrectly. Also, the temperature range does matter. Thus, system administrators must create adequate conditions for hardware operation and monitor them constantly. The maintenance of optimal environmental factors in premises:

• favorably affects equipment since it is not overheated;
• guarantees smooth operation;
• prolongs hardware service life;
• preserves components from pollution and dust accumulation.

The temperature is a crucial factor for any network system, regardless of the number of components and its size.

Recommended Temperature for Server Room Cooling

When planning the installation of an office or home server rack cabinet, study temperature norms for computing hardware.

According to international standards set for data centers, an optimal temperature indicator for premises with server cabinets is 70-85F. When maintaining the room temperature within this range, hardware performs adequately and uninterruptedly.

Too low temperature will lead to spending power on heating and increased consumption of energy. Too high indicators will contribute to overheating.

Top Techniques to Cool Small Server Rooms

Network hardware is responsible for datum storage and computing complicated tasks. Thus, it heats during performance. Below, let’s list the most effective small server room cooling solutions and highlight the main benefits of each option.

1. Check air conditioning devices and centralized air systems to ensure that they work properly and force the airflow to circulate sufficiently. From the technical side, all premises are equipped with centralized air systems. However, they are polluted in most cases, which hardens air circulation. If they work improperly, contact maintenance staff to clean them up or install additional HVAC devices. This is an obligatory step, so start room examination from it.
2. When dealing with air circulation maps, system administrators pay attention to airflow aisles. The thing is that air circulates in premises in certain directions. If server cabinets are located in accordance with these aisles, the air will naturally pass through them and cool devices. That is why cold and hot aisles maps are frequently used for designing server room layouts.
3. Use blanking panels for unused slots in your server cabinets. Server cabinets are equipped with diverse slots for fan installation, cable routing, and attaching other accessories. However, not all of them are used. Empty holes can disturb the microclimate inside the body and impede adjusting the proper temperature. Thus, blanking panels are used to plug unused slots. These are plastic accessories that perfectly fit specialized slots and prevent the air from entering or leaving the cabinet body.
4. Install specific cooling equipment in server rooms. Examine the space inside premises and choose a suitable cooling strategy. Depending on the environment and the room size, select air conditioners and other HVAC devices that will maintain the required temperature level.

Portable air conditions stand as an excellent solution for small rooms. Such devices will boost the air and guarantee its right circulation. Such solutions are more suitable for small premises, where centralized air systems are not enough to cool down the air.

1. Try to avoid placing other objects or systems in premises. Use the room for IT hardware only. Other objects can influence the environment by increasing or decreasing temperature. It is recommended to leave only the needed furniture and tools.
2. Replace unnecessary heat-emitting lights and hardware. Do not leave unused devices in rooms. Try to minimize the number of objects inside premises. Extra devices will impede server room airflow and emit heat.

As for cabinets, they require proper hardware allocation. A correct layout of system components also contributes to the creation of sufficient airflow, preventing overheating, and effective performance. Remember that devices must be placed loosely to avoid heat exchange. Thus, when designing a server cabinet layout, make sure to leave enough space between system components. These aisles will allow the air to circulate and prevent devices from overheating.

1. Monitor environment temperature. Sensors are indispensable elements of server rooms. Install them both in premises and cabinets to control climatic indicators inside and outside server bodies. Sensors are set up to monitor the environment. In the case of temperature surges, an alarm is sent to a control board. Sensors work around the clock providing 24/7 protection of hardware from unexpected temperature surges.
2. Isolate server cabinets from the rest of your facility. If it is possible, give preference to separate premises and place server cabinets in empty rooms. This is especially important in winter when premises are heated. This indoor climate is too hot for server equipment. Thus, it is preferable to provide a small room, where no employees work.

The temperature is one of the key factors for the proper functioning of server hardware. Equipment durability and operation directly depend on environmental indicators. A properly set temperature increases efficiency and eliminates possible malfunctions or breaks. When dealing with small rooms, it is more complicated to locate cabinets and design layouts due to pressed space. However, portable HVAC systems and fans help achieve the required climate conditions.