[lug] building a server room

[Rob Nagler]

Hugh Brown writes:
> I am in charge of converting a back room into a server room (AC, power,
> etc).

FWIW, colo services are really hurting right now, so deals abound.  If
your business is large enough, you might even be able to buy a whole
facility, rent out part of it, and use the rest for yourselves.

Also be aware that it may be cheaper to install non-rackmount
hardware.  This is what http://www.rackspace.com does, I believe.
Real estate is that cheap these days.

> Anyone know of a good resource for calculating BTU/hr estimates as well
> as humidity needs requirements for several rack mount systems?

You can estimate heat from the power input requirements of the
computers you plan to install.

Plan for shrinkage.  I once built a computer room for Sun 3/180s and
Fujitsu Eagles.  In a matter of a couple of years, the computers
magically shrunk and the computer room was half-empty and its AC and
batteries were way underutilized.  (This is an additional factor why
colo space is so cheap.  Computer space requirements are constant even
as demand expands exponentially thanks to Moore's Law.)

> I am looking for a "Server Room HOWTO"  or something along those lines.

There are many folks who do this for a living and are currently out of
work.  You might be able to get some cheap help.  This type of thing
depends a lot on the local market.  You want someone who knows how to
install AC and UPS properly.

Rob