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How To Maintain Computer Rooms

May 17, 2008
Many data centres contain plenty of computers that run on a 24 hour basis 7 days a week, so this will over a period raise its core temperature making it run slowly. Each of these machines will need to be kept cool without using too much energy and keeping the costs down. Running the computer rooms in a data centre requires a lot of time, plenty of experienced maintenance and plenty of back system solutions.

Computer systems these days tend to have higher processor speed and can very quickly heat up. This is bad news for people managing data centres, as this will mean finding newer and more efficient ways of cooling down the systems. Computer rooms all have to be regularly cooled down and monitored to keep all data information secured. There are simpler steps to take in order to store cooled air within the rooms.

For instance keeping the door closed to the computer room, because when you have the door open it will circulate warmer air into the room rather than allowing it to escape. Opening the door occasionally rather than regularly will have a relatively small effect upon the temperature. Therefore, it is simpler to keep the door closed as much as possible, as there is already heat generating from the CPUs.

Changing the computer rooms will also help with trying to reduce their temperature levels, but this is a process that should not be rushed and will be costly. A lot of planning and preparation will be needed to effectively come up with a system that is energy efficient and effective in keeping the systems cool. If no attention is taken in the temperature of a computer room, then the next you walk into the room it will feel like a furnace that is not good for the machines.

Most of the heat comes from inside the computer case so the first thing you will need to ensure is that there is a cooling unit or fan within the case to keep each individual case cool. You can even install server cabinets with cooling fans to create the right flow of air to travel in through your computer, preventing the circulation of an uneven flow of heated air.

The power itself generates a lot of heat, not to mention having people in the computer room will add to he amount of heat being produced. Anyone who has worked in a computer room will know that this is an uncomfortable and stuffy environment. Therefore, it would help to take small yet simple initiatives to find ways of cooling down the room. The floors can be designed to have cool water running through pipes to keep the floors cool, which in turn prevents the room from getting too warm.

Installing air conditioning is not considered energy efficient and will not contribute well will cooling each individual machine. This will however help with keeping the room cool but it will not be able to deal with an expanded amount of heat, which is generated from the computers. It is always best to stick to ones that are energy efficient and will help to keep each individual machine cool.

The only way you can gain control and stay on top of the temperature is to monitor the rooms, for any fluctuations in the temperature. It is a good to make sure you measure the temperature of the room on a regular basis so as not to lose sight of the condition of the machines. It is also a good idea to regularly run through maintenance on the machines, just to keep them running and see if there any necessary changes needed to upgrade or update.
About the Author
Anna Stenning is an expert on cooling computer rooms having worked in a company that specialised in cooling data centre buildings.
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