How to Keep the Server Room Cool

How recent improvements in technology present challenges for data center cooling, and what you can do about it.
By Steve Kolbe & Eric Silva

Centralization, and in some cases outsourcing to off-site hosted facilities, is a current trend that continues to unfold in response to the 2008/2009 recession.

This centralization has placed a tremendous focus on the construction of new, more reliable, and more redundant infrastructure than ever before.

Did you catch the operative words there? “New” and “More” … Yes, as this centralization brings a greater amount of technology closer together physically, so too does it centralize the consumption of power … and naturally the generation of heat.

It’s easy to take data center HVAC systems for granted. They operate with little ongoing maintenance and accommodate modest ongoing growth without upgrade or change.

Many existing data center HVAC systems, however, may not incorporate the level of scalability demanded by the times. This is especially true for managers of small and medium-sized business server rooms and private, corporate data centers where the HVAC systems were designed around the narrow scope of a traditional client/server environment.

All of this makes now a good time to proactively look at data center HVAC systems to determine the level of upward mobility available.

Christian Perry of Processor Magazine offers a great story with tips like using temperature monitors strategically positioned throughout the data center to monitor temperatures over time and implementing power management systems that reduce the stress placed upon HVAC systems.

Remember, infrastructure projects like these should take a well-planned and methodical approach. Allow a few months to track and develop metrics before doing anything. This also gives your team ample time to carefully analyze the alternatives, reach out to specialists, and determine the degree of future expandability to build in to any upgrades.

In cases where improvements are being made to systems already in place, Eric Silva of E&S Construction Engineers in Maryland recommends taking an integrated approach.

Simply implementing a patch to fix a heating problem or otherwise making an improvement without proper planning, he says, “will cause the system to compensate in some other area.”

Silva also reminds that engineers who engage regularly in developing HVAC systems in data centers have a broad base of proven expertise they use to routinely develop the most cost effective solution possible.

Silva writes:

Stand-alone solutions are tools that a mechanical engineer would use to create an integrated solution to the problem of a hot spot.

By using these tools, an engineer could rebalance a duct system to eliminate the hot spot, determine whether a hot spot can be allowed in a certain area, or pick a location for a new piece of cooling equipment that could be integrated into a data center’s chilled water system.

It is also possible that the engineer could determine that there are simpler devices that could be used, such as cold-aisle containment, which could be implemented at a lower cost.

Let’s take a look at adding a new duct to bring cooling to a hot spot. We’ll make the assumption that cool air flows through a ducted system (not an open raised floor) for clarity. Duct systems are designed to deliver cool air from the AC unit to the space to satisfy the cooling load. Once the duct system is designed, the fan and motor are selected to move the required amount of cool air through the system. Therefore, ductwork is an integrated system with a limited amount of cool air flowing through it.

If one were to add a new duct to the system, the existing system would become unbalanced. Namely, the existing system would deliver some of its cool air to the new duct, would not supply enough cool air to other areas served by the same duct system, where temperatures would increase.

While it is possible to force more air through the duct system to accommodate additional loads, it would require an increase in fan power, therefore increasing the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), and would not provide a directly proportional amount of additional cooling. Even so, the drive for energy and cooling efficiency within the data center has caused modern design to limit the factor of safety (spare capacity) of fans and motors that are selected for AC units and there may not be sufficient power available.

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Original post on http://www.greenercomputing.com and directly accessible here.
Published February 18, 2010

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What We Can Learn From The Last Recession

The high technology industry is perpetually in a state of reinvention.  Leaders and decision makers must be willing to embrace this environment in order to be successful.  However, now more than ever is the time to embrace the “change” mentality.

Why?  As decision makers assess ways to right-size their operations, technology, a cost center, is frequently near the top of the list for budget modification.  This spotlight on technology budgets creates pressure on vendors to make their products and services more effective.  Therefore, as opposed to simple cut-backs, savvy leaders and technology professionals demand investments in new processes and technologies to create the savings necessary, while increasing efficiency and performance.

Let’s frame this by looking at the recession of 2001.  Arguably THE most important information technology innovation that occurred during these years related to remote support and connectivity.  The outcome?  Technologies like Voice Over IP (VOIP) telephony substantially reduced the costs associated with calling, particularly overseas.  Remote connectivity software empowered IT support departments to resolve issues without leaving the desk, reducing overhead and resolution times to a fraction of what they previously had been.  These innovations spurred the wide scale adoption of the overseas call center, and although controversial, the result without a doubt achieves the objective of a reduced cost of operating and a sustained level of service to the consumer.

Ask a technology professional today what major innovation of the 2008-2009 recession will be remembered as the most important, and you will get a variety of answers.  Let’s take a brief look at two such innovations with great potential and what these can do for your business.

Cloud Computing - Cloud computing involves the migration of computer networks, into a centralized location, called a data center.  The investment in a centralized infrastructure allows businesses to acquire higher power, more reliable, and more redundant systems.  Also, outsourcing the network in its entirety to a third party presents a unique opportunity to normalize costs.

Sustainability - For most businesses, computers and the associated technologies that support them are one of the greatest consumers of power, along with lighting and HVAC systems.  Improvements in low power devices and power management systems enable business to cut power consumption substantially.  Don’t pay your own power bill?  Watch out – with the escalating cost of power and immanent potential for regulation, some landlords are renewing rental agreements net of power costs.

Even though we are technology consultants, ANALYSYS engages in an annual evaluation of how we employ technology for ourselves, and we look at how we can improve.  In 2009, we engaged in both the Cloud Computing and Sustainability initiatives and experienced tremendous success.  The result was a 50% reduction in internal IT support staff, allowing those personnel to be repurposed to technology consulting initiatives, and a 52% reduction in power consumption.

Ten Easy Ways To Speed Up Your Computer

Have you ever noticed that computers seem to become slower all by themselves?  No, you’re not alone, and it’s not just you.

“My computer is running too slowly” is one of the most common issues we see at ANALYSYS.  Although there are many reasons why this could be happening, most performance related issues are quickly and easily resolved with a few simple steps.  So, don’t replace that computer… Let’s tune it up!

Curious to know where all these ideas came from?  We interviewed ANALYSYS team members for their top picks.  Some are certainly more controversial than others, but any combination will certainly help, and some may even surprise you.

1. Install Google’s Chrome browser.
It’s free, it’s functional, and we find that it operates much faster than Internet Explorer.  Keep in mind, however, that certain websites still require you to use IE, so be prepared to switch between browsers from time to time.  Also, be prepared… Chrome certainly takes some getting used to.  It’s a slightly different browser than Internet Explorer.  If you are not comfortable with the interface or don’t want to make the switch, consider Firefox or Opera as alternatives.  Here’s where you can find these great web browsers:

Link to Google Chrome
Link to Firefox
Link to Opera

2. Run Disk Defragmenter.
Disk defragmentation utilities have existed for many, many years in one form or another.  Although running these utilities are just as important now as they were in years past, their use has unfortunately become much less common and much less frequent.

First, let’s describe the importance of this utility.  Data is stored on a computer’s disk drive in a linear fashion.  As new files are created and deleted free space, or gaps, appear which are then later filled in with new data.  Eventually this process creates a jumble that your computer must sort through in order to access the data you need.  Disk Defragmenter is a utility that comes preinstalled with Windows that reorganizes fragmented files and folders so that data is stored neatly, and can be accessed much more efficiently.  Microsoft’s recommended best practice is to run this utility once per month.  This can best be done using the scheduler feature which can be found in the control panel.  Consider running disk defragmenter also when you add or delete and have normally large amount of data, you upgrade to a new version of Windows, or you are running with less than 15% free disk space.

Microsoft Windows Disk Defragmenter

3. Remove that wallpaper and replace it.
As much as the picture of the kids looks great on your desktop, if it’s a large picture file, it can actually slow down your computer substantially.  Consider keeping the file size of your wallpaper under about 200 kilobytes, or simply switch to a flat single color background.  Changing these settings can be found by right clicking on an area of the background of your desktop.  Then click Personalize, then Desktop Background.

What the Desktop Backgound screen looks like.

4. Upgrade your random access memory (RAM).
If your computer is less than a year old, simply add more.  If your computer is older, you may want to research whether the RAM you have in there now has been superseded by faster technology.  A generous amount of RAM is one of the most important elements in overall performance, and also happens to be one of the easiest ways to make a big impact.  Best of all, the cost of RAM is negligible.  Need to know what type of RAM is best for you?  The ANALYSYS Online Store has a memory sizing tool you can use to find the part numbers you need for your specific computer type, make, and model.

ANALYSYS Online Store – Memory Sizing Configurator

Although it is an easy upgrade with a little research, you may find the prospect of working with the inside of your computer undesirable.  If this is the case, Vista and Windows 7 users can consider Windows ReadyBoost as an alternative.  ReadyBoost allows you to use a flash memory device such as a USB flash drive without having to add the additional memory inside the computer.  The drawback-memory added with ready boost is not as fast as conventional RAM.

Learn more about ReadyBoost for Vista
Learn more about ReadyBoost for Windows 7

5. Clean up your hard drive.
Over time your system becomes crammed with software, files, and other data, some of which is not used.  Not only does this data take up space but in some cases it substantially impairs performance.  Consider the following:

• Manually clean up the data you don’t need.  Be sure not to delete programs or operating system data here.  You are looking for files and folders of things that you saved like videos, documents, or pictures that you simply don’t need anymore.
• Use Microsoft’s Disk Cleanup utility.  This tool quickly identifies otherwise hard-to-find data that you can safely remove, and then allows you the choice of what you would like to eliminate.  Disk Cleanup removes things such as temporary Internet files, data in the recycle bin, and downloaded programs that you don’t use or don’t need.  Find it in the Start menu under Accessories, then System Tools.
• Uninstall software you don’t use anymore by going to Add/Remove programs in the Windows Control Panel.  In addition to potentially freeing up a tremendous amount of space, this is generally the only way to safely remove installed programs from your computer.

6. Get rid of slick visual effects.
Newer versions of Windows offer a progressively appealing visual experience.  However all of the graphics and animation require additional processing power.  Especially if your computer is an older one, you may consider removing these effects as a way to increase performance.  Check these settings out…

For Vista Users
1. Click Start, Control Panel, System Maintenance, and finally Performance Information and Tools.
2. Click Adust Visual Effects.  Enter the password if prompted.
3. Click the Visual Effects tab and then select Adjust for best performance or simply choose your own settings from the list.

For Windows 7 Users
1. Click Start, and Control Panel.
2. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and select Performance Information and Tools from the search results.
2. Click Adust Visual Effects.  Enter the password if prompted.
3. Click the Visual Effects tab and then select Adjust for best performance or simply choose your own settings from the list.

Gadgets and the Windows Vista Sidebar are another great example of these types of resource hogs.  To disable, right click on the sidebar and click Properties.  Uncheck the checkbox labelled Start Sidebar when Windows starts.  Click OK.  The sidebar will be gone on the next time you restart your computer.
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7. Scan for and protect against viruses and spyware.
Viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, and other malware run in the computer’s background, largely undetectable while they sap resources for their nefarious purposes.  Fortunately Microsoft now offers a 1-2 punch that small office/home office folks can obtain completely for free.  Look for Security Essentials – that’s the virus client.  Microsoft’s spyware utility, called Windows Defender, is included automatically with Vista and Windows 7, and is available as a free download for Windows XP users.  For businesses that do not qualify for the free version of Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft’s business antivirus software is called Forefront.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials
Download Microsoft Windows Defender
Purchase Microsoft Forefront (36-month subscription, listed price is per month)

8. Shut off unneeded services at startup.
A surprising amount of software automatically loads every time you turn your computer on.  Pare down to just what you need with Microsoft’s System Configuration utility.  You can run this utility by typing msconfig in the Run box of your Start menu.

Microsoft System Configuration MSCONFIG Utility

9. Eliminate the comprehensive software firewall.
Programs like Symantec Norton 360 which include a virus scanner, spyware scanner, spam filter, firewall, and more certainly serve an important purpose.  However, analyze carefully whether these tools are redundant and disable features which are not necessary.  You can also consider replacing these tools entirely with a hardware-based solution, such as a SonicWALL TZ 100 series firewall.  This hardware alternative costs slightly more but the results will be increased speed and reliability.

10. Scan your hard disk for errors.
Windows comes with a utility called ScanDisk this utility corrects errors in your file system caused during the normal use of your computer.  It also can identify  a budding hard drive failure.  Vista and Windows 7 users can click on Start, then Computer.  Right click on the disk drive you want to check and click properties.  Go to the tools tab, and click Check Now, under Error-checking.

Microsoft Scandisk Utility