SysAdmin Show

SAS 012 – Building a Server Room

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Server Room Diagram

In today’s episode I go over all the requirements for building or remodeling a server room.

  • Today’s Show – Building a Server Room
    • New construction or remodel
    • Project Management
      • Depending on the scope IT maybe expected to manage this project
      • If not managed by IT you will want to ensure you are involved as early as possible
      • Communication
        • Email is best to communicate instructions
        • It’s good to review, debate and plan in person or on the phone, but follow meetings up with emails outlining what is being done, by who and by when
        • If possible have someone take meeting notes
          • Room location
            • 1st floor or above, not a basement  if possible
            • Opening to an office area, not a shop or garage
            • Away from outside walls
            • No windows
            • Room size
              • 2 racks minimum, 10′ x 10′
              • Will provide at least 3′ on every side
              • Floor, walls, ceiling
                • 9′ drop  ceiling
                • Full height walls, no crawl spaces above the ceiling to other rooms
                • Painted drywall
                • Anti-Static floors
                • Door
                  • Metal if possible
                  • Open out
                  • Locking
                  • Lightning
                    • LED if possible
                    • Above from and rear of racks
                    • A/C
                      • Dedicated split unit
                      • Calculate size
                      • Power
                        • Input  power requirements
                          • Hard line / Plug Type
                          • Amps
                          • UPS, Calculate size & run time
                          • PDU
                          • Generator backup
                          • Racks
                            • 7′ H, 3′ D, 2′ W
                            • Cable management  6″
                            • KVM
                              • Console & KVM Switcher
                              • Demarc
                                • 3/4 Plywood, Painted
                                • Outlets fed from UPS
                                • Access Control
                                  • Unique key or electronic lock
                                  • Environmental Monitoring
                                    • Report of Temp, Humidity, Water
                                    • Storage
                                      • Cabinet
                                      • Safe
                                      • Budget
                                        • Sometimes dictated, sometimes generated by IT
                                        • Should include all materials and labor
                                        • Include time required by internal resources, so you can plan accordingly
                                          • Final Thoughts
                                            • Many companies will not see the value in building a proper server room, do research to advocate for it
                                            • If you do not get involved early in the conversation it will be an afterthought and very difficult to do it properly
                                            • Server rooms don’t change very often, so expect that you will need to make it work for the next 5-10 years of growth
                                            • As with any negotiation divide you requirements into needs and wants.   Don’t fight so hard for what you want that you cannot get what you need

                                              • Email me with any questions or comments on this episode: [email protected]

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                                              SysAdmin ShowBy Dustin Reybrouck: IT System Administrator
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