Data Center/Server Room Best Practices

Server Closet

< 200 ft.² / 1-2 servers, no external storage

Consolidate servers into common data centers – This maximizes the use of existing climate-controlled facilities and eliminates extra cooling costs.

Virtualize Servers – Reduce energy consumption by more effectively utilizing existing servers through server virtualization technologies.  Learn more about Virtualization as a Service (VaaS) at U-M.

Mechanical Air Flow Management

  • Blank Unused Rack Positions
    • Standard IT equipment racks exhaust hot air out the back and draw cooling air in the front. Openings that form holes through the rack should be blocked in some manner to prevent hot air from being pulled forward and recirculated back into the IT equipment. For more information, see Chapter 1 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.
  • Position supply and returns to minimize mixing
    • Diffusers should be located to deliver air directly to the IT equipment. At a minimum, diffusers should not be placed such that they direct air at rack or equipment heat exhausts, but rather direct air only towards where IT equipment draws in cooling air. Supplies and floor tiles should be located only where there is load to prevent short circuiting of cooling air directly to the returns; in particular, do not place perforated floor supply tiles near computer room air conditioning units using the as a return air path. For more information, see Chapters 1 and 2 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.

Mechanical Humidification

  • Use Lower Power Humidification Technology
    • There are several options for lower power, non-isothermal humidification, including air or water pressure based 'fog' systems, air washers, and ultrasonic systems. For more information, see Chapter 7 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.

IT Equipment Selection

  • Specify High Efficiency Power Supplies
    • Server power supplies can be made significantly more efficient than currently offered. Specify power supplies that have a minimum efficiency equal to or greater than the minimum recommended power supply efficiency guidelines put forth by the industry group Server System Infrastructure (SSI) Initiative. For more information, see Chapter 8 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.
  • Consider Equipment Power Consumption in Specifications
    • Develop internal procedures to encourage the acquisition of the most energy efficient equipment that will meet the application requirements. Lower power consumption chips, idle mode setbacks and other features can vary the power efficiency of equivalent equipment. For more information, see Chapter 8 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.

Electrical Infrastructure

  • Maximize UPS Unit Loading
    • When using battery based UPSs, design the system to maximize the load factor on operating UPSs. Use of multiple smaller units can provide the same level of redundancy while still maintaining higher load factors, where UPS systems operate most efficiently. For more information, see Chapter 10 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.
  • Specify Minimum UPS Unit Efficiency at Expected Load Points
    • There are a wide variety of UPSs offered by a number of manufacturers at a wide range of efficiencies. Include minimum efficiencies at a number of typical load points when specifying UPSs. Compare offerings from a number of vendors to determine the best efficiency option for a given UPS topography and feature set. For more information, see Chapter 10 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.
  • Evaluate UPS Technologies for the Most Efficient
    • New UPS technologies that offer the potential for higher efficiencies and lower maintenance costs are in the process of being commercialized. Consider the use of systems such as flywheel or fuel cell UPSs when searching for efficient UPS options. For more information, see Chapter 10 of the Design Guidelines Sourcebook.

Lighting

  • Use Occupancy Sensors
    • Occupancy sensors can be a good option for datacenters that are infrequently occupied. Thorough area coverage with occupancy sensors or an override should be used to insure the lights stay on during installation procedures when a worker may be 'hidden' behind a rack for an extended period.
  • Provide Bi-Level Lighting
    • Provide two levels of clearly marked, easily actuated switching so the lighting level can be easily changed between normal, circulation space lighting and a higher power detail work lighting level. The higher power lighting can be normally left off but still be available for installation and other detail tasks.
  • Provide Task Lighting
    • Provide dedicated task lighting specifically for installation detail work to allow for the use of lower, circulation space and halls level lighting through the datacenter area.

Commissioning and Retrocommissioning

  • Perform a Peer Review
    • A peer review offers the benefit of having the design evaluated by a professional without the preconceived assumptions that the main designer will inevitably develop over the course of the project. Often, efficiency, reliability and cost benefits can be achieved through the simple process of having a fresh set of eyes, unencumbered by the myriad small details of the project, review the design and offer suggestions for improvement.