Data Center Environmental Monitoring

Posted by alvina on May 27th, 2019

Before talking about monitoring, I will talk about data center environments. Data center environments covers every aspect around data center facilities. Examples are physical sensors that monitor temperature, smoke, humidity and movement in server rooms. It also covers security cameras, access control, etc.

In data centers, spyware, viruses and network threats are often paid most attention to, unlike environmental factors even though these factors can equally be devestating to IT equipments. Data center solution for environment monitoring will allow you to;

• Ensure proper functioning of your infrastructure in real time
• Save time and money
• Address potential damages before they pose a threat
• Provide better experience quality to customers

Here are some necessary things to know about data center environmental monitoring;

Temperature

To a certain an optimal environmental monitoring strategy, multiple temperature sensors must be in place. Sensors must be installed at the bottom, top and the middle inlets of server cabinets to measure the generated heat by equipment and on the discharge vents to measure their efficiency. Also, in order to understand what is happening with delta T, the data center operators must look at the distribution of environmental sensors in the cold and hot aisles. It should also be ensured that probes are placed around critical devices.

Water

When there is a leakage in the coolant system, pipes or when there is flooding, water can enter the data center rooms and damage the system. This makes it very important to install water sensors at the lowest point on the ground.

Humidity 

High relative humidity may cause electronic components to corrode while low humidity can cause static electricity problem. To avoid data center risks 60%RH is recommended at 20% to 80%

Air flow

Air flow that is well maintained will solve almost all the problems of humidity and cooling. This is because it is related to them. Air flow depends on the environment and difference between the return and supply of air. Open areas require less air, unlike small and dense rooms. It should be ensured that air flows through the racks and A/C vents and outtakes should be monitored.

Power Supply

It is very important to monitor the current entering the data center, air conditioning equipment are likely to shut down as a result of power failure, the server room can undergo overheating if there is no proper arrangement for an orderly shutdown of equipment’s when power knocks out.

Fire Monitoring and Detection

In data center environments, it is common to use clean-agents or inert gases as protection system against fire accidents. They are used because they are not much likely to damage electrical equipment’s. Infra-red laser and blue LED optical smoke detection can be used to detect smoke, especially when there is a fire outbreak. It delivers discreet and accurate warning in cases of fire.

Doors

At the room entrance and on the doors of UPS cabinet and server, dry-contact sensors should be placed. This sensor detects the opening and closing of the doors and can send alerts many times.