Are you cooling your servers the right way?

Did you know that servers require a specific operating temperature range to operate? If they exceed this range, their reliability and performance can be greatly reduced. This is why it’s important to keep your servers cool, especially in the summer months when temperatures are high.

How does high temperature affect servers?

A server’s reliability decreases if its temperature rises above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When servers reach these temperatures, they will start to perform poorly, as will the computers connected to them. Maintaining a consistent temperature for your servers is critical for optimal performance and to avoid significant data loss and service outages.

Methods to keep servers cool

Here are the four best methods to keep your servers running at optimal temperatures.

• Pick the right air conditioning system
  Installing an air conditioner in your server room is the most effective method to keep servers cool. Choose industrial air conditioners over residential air conditioners. Industrial air conditioners can be a bit costly and require semi-annual maintenance checks, but they will ensure your servers are kept cool 24/7/365.
• Ensure your server room is well ventilated
  Server rooms are usually small and contain other hardware aside from servers. Without proper air circulation, all that hardware can raise the temperature of the room and your servers. Pick a room that has good circulation to keep your servers in. If you have no choice but to put your servers in a small room, make sure to install a ventilation system that will allow hot air to escape.
• Use cooling fans
  Cooling fans work well with a ventilation system to move hot air away from your servers. They’re also a more cost-effective alternative to air conditioners. You can place a small yet powerful fan next to the heat vent to prevent your servers from overheating.
• Use low-heat lighting
  Even lighting can affect your server’s temperature. Incandescent lights produce too much heat that can raise the temperature of your server room, so use low-heat lighting options such as LED arrays and fluorescent tubes instead. Not only do they produce less heat, but they also provide better illumination compared to incandescent bulbs.

Servers work best if they are kept at a cool temperature constantly. While manufacturers continue to develop more resilient servers, proper care and maintenance still play a vital role in ensuring high operating quality and longevity.

Contact us today if you need additional information about server management or have any other questions regarding your server setup.