Data Centre Cable Management

In almost every data centre, cable management is the most neglected part but this shouldnt be the case. Improper cable management can result in many different types of problems. For instance, one might trace a wrong cable and disconnect a production host when working with something that is entirely different. Or it could be that the right wire is not found at all.

As per the wide range of problems that data centre managers generally face when it comes managing the cables, here are some tips that can help to organise better and prevent mistakes:

Managing Cables In Racks With The Use of Patchy Panels :
This is one of the most effective methods for improving cable management. Although the upfront cost can be a bit high, but it will save hours of hassle in future. Removing old or adding new cords will also be easier.

Using Coloured Cables for Denoting Functionality :
If the cables are coloured as per their functionality and then connected, it would be easier to determine the kind of connection. For example, using different coloured wires for a iLOM connection and a KVM IP connection would make it easier to identify their functionality.

Removing Unnecessary Cords :
It is important to remove unnecessary cords and dispose them off as soon as possible. Otherwise heaps of unused wires would soon become the dwelling places of rats.

Data Centre Cable Seals :
Using data centre cable seals can not only give the countless wires an organised and uncluttered look, but also improve the management of airflow within a data centre system.

Running The Cords From Sides, Not The Middle :
Although a common sense, it is quite surprising that many data centre managers make this mistake. Cables should never be run through the middle of a rack. Running them from sides will make it easier to remove or add servers in the rack.

Using As Many Ties and Velcros As Required :
In order to maintain the organised look of data centres, it is vital to use as many ties and velcros as needed. Using velcros gives an advantage of adding new cords without having to cut the ties.

Labelling The Wires :
It is good to label the wires using some sort of identification number that obviously make sense. This will allow one to use old cabling even when old servers are replaced with new ones. However, it is advised not to use port name, switch name, server name, etc. as tags.

Tips for Improving Efficiency of Data Centres

Every year, data centres consume about 1 per cent of the entire energy used by human beings all over the world. However, there are a number of ways for improving the efficiency of a data centre.

Until recently, around 40 per cent of the total power consumed by a traditional data centre facility was spent for incorporating different cooling mechanisms alone. Small and average sized businesses which have their own miniature data centres and store comprising 4 to 12 racks prove to be more inefficient. These inefficiencies ultimately lead to overheating or overcooling, both of which can be expensive.

In the modern times, however, a number of ways have been discovered for increasing the efficiency of data centres. Not only can these ways help to decrease the expenses spent on making data centres more efficient, but also reduce the carbon footprint of the data centre industry. Some of them are as follows:

• Installing blanking plates on all the unused U-space of racks can help to impede re-circulation of hot air to server inlet from server exhaust. It can also prevent cold and hot air from mixing with each other, a major barrier to efficient air conditioning.
• Holes between the tiles in raised floors can be blocked up or fitted with data centre grommets around the exit and entry points of cables. This can prevent cool air from entering and mixing with the hot air.
• Blocking the holes in walls, ceiling and other apertures like old ducts for air conditioning can help in preventing escape of air or entry of unconditional air.
• Lights should be turned off during inactivity, or put on motion sensors or PIR. Only the areas with people working must be lighted up and that too for the length of time they are working in those particular areas. Not only does this helps to save electricity, but also prevents heat of the light fittings from getting added to the load of IT cooling.
• Servers which are not required anymore must be turned off.
• Fitting anti-solar films on outside windows can reduce the impact of solar gain on the systems of air conditioning by creating insulation and therefore, increase efficiency.
• Operating temperatures less than 21°C can increase the maintenance costs and also trigger a perpetual humidification or dehumidification cycle. Therefore, set-point of the air conditioning should be lowered.
• Support equipments should not be run at lighter loads. For instance, a UPS operating at a load of 30 per cent is extremely inefficient and would require a replacement in every 18 months or less.
• Ventilated tiles should not be placed inside hot aisles for removing hot spots. The hot aisle is meant to be at a high temperature.