Cooling a Server Tower - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/11/2011 11:10:44 PM · #1

Posting this here because some of you are into IT and could help with this question.

We will be moving work premises shortly and we are organizing the refurbishment of the new premises. The current computer tower (which is approximately 2 metres high x 500 x 600 and has the servers in it) is currently located in the kitchen of the current office. We will be relocating it to the new premises but it won't fit in the kitchen and because it is noisy we can't just place it in the office working area.

We are having to redesign the walls in a small section of the new premises and we are wanting to locate it in it's own cupboard which is 2.5 metre high x 2.5metres long and 700 wide (like a large wardrobe).

Of course it puts out a lot of heat so looking for the best way to keep it cool 24/7 as it is never turned off. This is the bottom story of a two story building and there is a huge ceiling cavity (suspended ceilings). The area spreads across the same area of the office (around 500 square metres) and is relatively always cool. We will be adding a duct to it from the air conditioning system but need to keep it cool out of work hours when the normal cooling system will be turned off.

What would you suggest?

What would you suggest?

kenskid

Nikon D700

06/11/2011 11:37:51 PM · #2

I would suggest something if I understood what I just read ! Sorry.

Originally posted by RamblinR:

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

06/11/2011 11:45:40 PM · #3

One idea might be to install a dedicated fan to exchange air with the volume above the suspended ceiling. Install and duct the fan to blow cool air to the bottom of the closet, and vent the closet at the top to let warm air escape above the ceiling. Keep the intake for the fan well away from the outlet of the vent.
I do have to ask, why would you turn off the cooling system during non-work hours? seems risky. There's probably plenty of other electronic equipment that you would put at risk by doing so.
In any case, you *definitely* want to install a system that will shut down the server if an over-temperature condition is detected. Better to have an outage than lose the server.

smardaz

06/11/2011 11:46:23 PM · #4

all the data centers we have at work are air conditioned, dont know if that is possible for you. I would suggest a smallish room with a portable a/c maybe?

06/12/2011 12:01:05 AM · #5

We are looking at a small split system to instal in the actual cupboard but it is quite a distance to put the motor from the units and I understand the distance comes into play with these small units and it will be cutting in and out due to the small size of the area to cool which can also burn out the unit.

I advised of the cavity above the office area as I think this can be utilized to move the hot air out of the cupboard then spread it across this area. Just don't know how effective that will be and whilst this area is cool, we are located in Queensland which means we don't get a lot of cold weather and the cavity is warmer than if we were in southern states but I still think utilizing it should work.

06/12/2011 12:05:46 AM · #6

The current cooling system has about three motors. Am thinking we could have one of these units cooling part of the office (including the IT cupboard) and just that one system run continuously whilst the others are turned off.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/12/2011 12:10:19 AM · #7

Thanks kirbic. I think keeping some of the office air-conditioned all the time might be the way to go. The venting idea is good so will look into that also (air out to one area, in from another).

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

06/12/2011 01:34:46 AM · #8

I would have a dedicated cool/exchange with emerg shutoff e.t.c. as well... It's more then just cool but dust is preferable to keep out as well. By putting it in a small cupboard this will become more important then in a larger room - I would get someone who has experience to set it up... far cheaper then new servers when they get overheated (they will also be slower as they get hoter).