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RE: [datacenter] Server room build questions
Paul,
I've had the opportunity to design and build a few server rooms and one
large datacenter. My comments are below:
What are people's feelings on raised floors vs. tiles/anti-static
carpet?
I'm very opposed to running network/kvm cables under floors (give me a
ladder rack any day), but raised floors can be handy for routing AC to
the front of the racks and running fat trip-causing power cables.
> For this size room, it makes the most sense to use anti-static tiles,
in my opinion. Raised floors are nice, but they bring along a lot of
additional costs and some maintenance. I recommend a good overhead
racking and power distribution system.
How much AC should I spec - get the maximum capacity 18 rack's worth
now, or get a lesser amount now and plan to upgrade?
>This is partly a budget question. For the server rooms I've done, I
have installed enough cooling for maximum capacity. It's disruptive to
go in and do it later.
We already have a backup Movincool AC unit which will sit in the room
set to fire up if the main AC should fail. In this case we'll shut down
all but 1 or 2 racks of equipment.
How much power should I spec? On this one I'm fairly sure that I should
probably spec the full 20 rack's worth (800A?) and just get the breaker
panel put into the room with circuits sufficient for 6 racks.
> I think you're on the right path with that. Presumably, the
additional 14 racks won't actually be installed till later anyhow.
What are the considerations for a backup generator vs very large
(Liebert or APC) UPS? I'm leaning towards an auto-start generator right
now, with smaller front-end UPS to keep everything going while research
systems are powered down and the generator fires up, and additional
rack-mount UPSen for the 24/7 systems.
> You'll want to make sure that you have provisions to run your AC unit
on generator. It could be the main unit, or you could rely on your
portable cooler for time on generator. Because your systems aren't all
critical, it almost makes sense to have two power feeds, with one on
UPS/generator, and the other just street power with UPS's at the bottoms
of the cabinets. It will probably be recommended to you that you get a
480v, 3 phase generator and place a transformer in the server room (or
somewhere around it). You would also have normal incoming power at 480v
too. It saves a good bit on the amount of copper that you have to run
vs. 110v. I would recommend a natural gas/propane backup generator,
unless you like diesel. [Note, this is one thing that I did not take my
own advice on.]
Personally, I have opeted for the longer run time UPS's, save the main
datacenter, but I somewhat regret that decision.
Do we bother with a fancy dry fire supression system? Seems like a major
PITA and would take a big chunk out of the budget for everything else.
A fine mist system+ hardware insurance + offsite web mirror has been
suggested. Currently there is *no* fire supression installed in the
space, only a (legal at the time) fire hose in the hallway.
> Most firemarshalls in the US won't give you a CO if you only chemical
fire suppression, in my experience. If you can go with a multi-factor,
dry pipe, preaction system that requires a smoke detector to open a
vavle to fill the water lines, then the heat to melt each individual
sprinkler head, that should be sufficient. Prevention, in my opinion,
is as important, or more important, than the fire supression method
used. Don't keep flamable things in the server room, like boxes, and
you probably won't have a problem. It's pretty rare that a server would
actually catch fire on its own.
Also, remember to properly protect your EPO switches. I can't believe
how many times I see them placed where you could easily hit the EPO and
make all your redundancy worthless.
Hope that helps.
Jerry
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