Planning a small/medium server room
A small/medium server room, containing several individual IT cabinets with average IT density,
It is the heart of the technological activity of any organization.
Correct planning can mean reliability and security for the system.
In the short article below, I will review the points of reference when it comes to planning and operating such a server room.
1. Location and type of building:
Choose an interior room, to isolate it thermally as much as possible and allow maximum "natural" coolness.
It is desirable to be far from windows (to reduce thermal effect) and water sources (to reduce flooding risks).
The floor should be raised or with an anti-static coating. Easy access to all equipment must be allowed for the purposes of populating IT equipment and its maintenance.
The building's resistance to earthquakes and extreme weather events must also be considered.
2. Cooling system:
IT equipment, servers and relevant communication equipment, generate a lot of heat that must be removed.
Install a dedicated air conditioning system with temperature and humidity control,
which will maintain a temperature of 18-27 degrees Celsius (according to ASHRAE recommendations) and a relative humidity of 45-55%.
It is recommended to use an energy efficient cooling system, such as focused cooling (in-row cooling) or liquid cooling for systems with high density.
These indicators can be monitored using dedicated systems that will export the data to the media of your choice.
3. Power supply:
It is important to install an uninterruptible power supply system (UPS) for electrical backup, with adequate power for a backup capacity of at least 15-30 minutes. In addition,
Consider installing a generator for long-term backup. Use quality PDUs, such as ENLOGIC,
which enable power consumption monitoring and remote control. When choosing the outlet strips, consider the amount of outlets
required for future growth and the type of equipment installed/to be installed.
A redundant electrical system must be planned in case of failure of one of the components.
4. Physical security:
Install a locking door with an electronic access control system that allows control and monitoring of the activity of those entering the room.
Use security cameras to improve the ability to control the activity and presence in the room.
A monitoring system connected to the network will allow real-time supervision.
Limit access to authorized employees only and consider adding additional security measures such as biometric scanners or smart cards.
5. Organization and order:
Use dedicated server cabinets that allow optimal installation for IT equipment, operational comfort and safety.
These cabinets enable the management of the required wiring, easy access to the equipment for maintenance, replacement and repairs.
Arrange the cables using cable guides and channels, making sure to separate power cables from communication cables.
We have clearly marked all equipment and cables for easy and quick identification.
6. Fire detection and extinguishing systems, water leaks and short circuit:
Install smoke, heat and flood detectors that are continuously monitored and inform the room manager/IT by various means about the development of a disturbance or malfunction.
Consider installing an automatic fire extinguishing system suitable for electronic equipment (such as a gas system).
Install sensors for interruption in air flow of the air conditioning units and electrical shorts using managed/monitored outlet strips.
7. Communication (accessories and wiring):
We planned the communication infrastructure carefully, with high-quality cabling (at least Cat6a or optical fibers) and reliable communication equipment.
Prepare reserves for future growth, including additional communication points and free space in cabinets.
Consider physical separation between different networks for security purposes.
8. Maintenance:
Plan easy access to all equipment. Allocate space for storing tools and spare parts.
Prepare detailed maintenance procedures and a schedule for periodic inspections.
Consider maintenance contracts with major equipment suppliers for quick support in case of breakdowns.
9. Documentation:
Prepare detailed documentation of all room systems, including diagrams, technical specifications, work procedures and disaster recovery plans.
We updated the documentation regularly and kept copies in a secure location outside the server room.
10. Energy efficiency:
The biggest supplier of the server room is not the supplier of the servers, the different equipment, the biggest supplier is the electric company.
Therefore, we designed the room with energy efficiency in mind. Consider using energy efficient technologies.
Monitor electricity consumption and think of ways to optimize energy use all the time.
In conclusion, planning a small/medium server room requires reference to a variety of aspects.
Careful planning will ensure efficient, reliable and safe operation of the information systems essential to the organization. Even in a small/medium room,
The quality of planning and execution is critical to long-term success.
It is important to perform periodic risk assessments and update the planning according to the changing needs of the organization and new technological developments.
To product page PDU-EN1337 - 32A, 200-240VAC, 1ph
To product page ES1325- 32A, 1ph, 230V (20)C13, (4)C19
To product page EN1602 - 2U, 1-phase, 32A, (12)C13, (4)C19
Article by: Avi Solomon, ADVICE company
IT infrastructure solutions