Numerous factors affect the performance and availability of the data center. Higher-quality Equipment is more reliable than lower-quality equipment. Generally, newer equipment will perform better because performance degrades over time. Highly automated data centers have greater availability because machines are more reliable than humans.

Environmental conditions also play an important role in data center performance. Heat, power fluctuations and other issues can cause downtime and shorten the life of equipment. At the same time, energy costs can skyrocket if power and cooling aren’t effectively managed.

That’s why Environmental Monitoring is critically important. Data center managers should keep tabs on temperature, humidity, airflow and other factors that affect reliability and efficiency. When selecting a co-location provider for outsourced hosting, organizations should ensure that the facility tracks environmental variables at the equipment level, and takes steps to remedy any issues that arise.

Temperature

Monitoring temperature in the data center is essential to minimize the risk of overheating and optimize cooling efficiency. Data center densities continue to increase, and organizations are deploying more powerful servers to support artificial intelligence and other advanced applications. Heat can build up quickly, and the cooling system may not be able to compensate.

A common error is to monitor temperature at the room level rather than the rack level. Temperature is seldom consistent across the facility, so best practices call for the placement of sensors at the top, middle and bottom of racks and at air conditioning vents and returns. This helps ensure that heat is being properly dissipated and that the cooling system is operating efficiently.

Airflow

Airflow is directly related to temperature. Data center managers must ensure that chilled air reaches equipment and that hot exhaust air is effectively discharged. Aisle containment systems facilitate proper airflow by focusing chilled air onto equipment with minimal loss and preventing the mixing of hot and cold air. Cable management systems also help ensure that airflow isn’t blocked.

Handheld velocity meters can be used to take point-in-time airflow readings. Smart sensors can also be mounted in HVAC ducts, raised floor systems, or even specific racks and cabinets to continuously monitor airflow. A sudden drop in airflow could signal a problem with the cooling system’s blower motor or a filter clogged with dust.

Power

Electrical problems can seriously damage equipment. Additionally, power surges or poorly balanced power distribution units (PDUs) can cause circuit breakers to trip, resulting in downtime.

Metered PDUs gather data on various power metrics to facilitate load balancing and capacity planning. Input metered PDUs provide insight into power consumption for the rack or cabinet as a whole, while outlet metered PDUs track power usage at the device level.

Water and Humidity

Water sensors are especially important for data centers that use liquid cooling. However, water damage can occur due to plumbing leaks and condensation from the air conditioning system. Because water pools at the lowest point, sensors should be placed under raised floors as well as near pipe valves and fittings.

Even if temperature is properly maintained, humidity can be too high or too low. High humidity can cause equipment to corrode, while low humidity can cause static electricity to build up. Humidity sensors should be mounted both inside and outside of racks and cabinets.

How Rahi Can Help

Rahi has partnered with industry-leading vendors to delivers environmental monitoring solutions that scale to meet growing requirements. We also offer data center infrastructure management (DCIM) software that collects environmental data and provides a holistic view of the overall data center. Let our physical infrastructure specialists help you develop an environmental monitoring strategy that helps protect your equipment and increase efficiency.