Server room cooling

[sivuz]

Hi there!

In my server room I have a ATX server with a Xeon processor, a 48-port HP Gigabit switch, a NAS device and a router. These are kept in a 24U cabinet, in which I also keep UPS with battery pack; the room area is about 30 m[SUP]2[/SUP].

The room is not built to be a server room and therefore gets quite a bit of sunlight throughout the day, so even though we have an air con unit installed it still gets very hot.

I am looking for a cost effective means of keeping the room cool, and have been thinking of getting window shades to block out most of the sunlight and installing one of those wall-mounted household air conditioning units.

Does anyone have any advice? Am I on the right track?

 

[ToxicBunny]

A better option would be to "tint" the windows first to try block out as much of the sun as possible.... it will probably also be the most cost effective method.

 

[InusB]

First step would be to monitor temps in that rack to determine if you need any cooling or make changes at all. Measure temps at air intake areas for the servers/switch and UPS, these are hopefully all on the same side.
My guess is existing aircon with something to block out sun would be sufficient. (Glass or solid doors on cabinets are also restrictive to airflow and can cause heat issues)

 

[WAslayer]

ill sum up things previously said things and throw in my 2cents..

first, tint the window, regardless of anything else.. it will help reduce the heat.. monitor your device temperatures to confirm that they require additional cooling.. if they do require additional cooling, you can install a wall-mounted household air conditioning unit.. it will be sufficient but, mount it so the cool air from the unit, gets intaked by your devices and i would add an extractor fan to exhaust hot air out of the room from the back of the cab or the exhaust of the devices.. for additional effectiveness, separate the hot air form the cold by dividing the room appropriately..

i realise that all of my ideas are not cost effective, but you may be a person of much ingenuity, able to make it work cost effectively..

 

[Nerfherder]

There is a bit of science to it...

Install aircon in the floor and then extraction in the roof. Also close off the window from the outside, off the wall.

 

[envo]

if you have an aircon unit installed, why would you want another aircon unit installed? something fishy...