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December 16, 2010

How to Manage Heat in an Everyday Datacenter

Excess heat in a data center can be disastrous as it can shorten the lifespan of expensive equipment and cause it to perform erratically. Climate control in server rooms is essential and should be considered in the initial stages of planning.  It’s recommended that temperatures stay between 68° and 77° Fahrenheit; however this can often be a challenge to maintain. Changes in technology and the density of equipment in the datacenter can fluctuate making the most calculated plans obsolete as requirements change.

More Power Equals More Heat

As needs and technology change, the power consumption also increases which in turn increases the amount of heat produced by each server rack. Studies have indicated a 39% increase in power consumption in datacenters between the years of 1999 and 2005. As processor speed increases the heat produced by the processor is increased as well: a trend that’s not likely to end any time in the foreseeable future, therefore it’s imperative to consider the future expansion of your equipment room as you are planning your cooling strategies.

Identifying the Source

While it’s obvious to notice that your data center is hot, however, it can be difficult to determine the exact source of the issue. Try to identify the areas that are higher in temperature as this may be an indicator of the source. Once identified, you can then begin to take immediate action. Depending on the scale of operations, you may even want to hire a consultant that can examine your exact situation and offer effective solutions.

Lowering the Temperature

First and foremost, the type of server rack you choose makes a huge difference when it comes to temperature. Consider a rack that offers channels to route cables through. Also make sure panels are in place to allow for proper air flow.  The top of the enclosure should also have vent holes to allow heat to escape. Fans, blowers and other air moving equipment should be a part of any rack you consider.

Liquid cooling systems are more expensive but they are worth the investment as they are much more efficient than any cooling system dependant on airflow alone. They work with airflow much the same as a car radiator. The cooling solution draws heat away from the equipment and then runs through a radiator of sorts that is cooled with airflow, and finally the cooled solution returns to begin the cycle again.

Remember that a power supply operating at capacity is going to run hotter than one operating at 50% capacity, so be sure to oversize your power supplies whenever possible. This is a simple solution that can reduce a small but significant amount of heat.

Heat in datacenters is an unavoidable obstacle, but with a lot of thought and a little planning, you can certainly lessen the impact. Just remember once you put a plan in place, conditions can change, so it’s important to continuously monitor for dynamic conditions.

Tags: data center,  climate control,  server rooms,  power consumption,  server rack