[TriLUG] OT: Servers in the...

[Brian Henning]

I have no personal experience in this matter, but I can offer some rules 
of thumb about what typical computer equipment doesn't like in its 
environment:

- Heat.  Enough of it makes components fail, either intermittently or, 
in worst cases, permanently.  Don't throw your server in the attic on a 
summer day and expect it to work for long.

- Extreme cold.  Of itself, not a problem generally, but around here it 
combines with humidity to create condensation.  Might as well hose the 
bugger down.

- Large temperature shifts.  Not necessarily a problem, but can lead to 
thermodynamic issues involving connectors, particularly card-edge, 
coming un-seated.

- Dust.  Dust contributes a lot to the heat problem by creating an 
insulative layer over everything, preventing effective cooling.  Also, 
depending on the environment, dust can contain conductive particles that 
could conceivable wreak electrical havoc in some of the circuitry.


A basement might not be a bad location; mine is rather cave-like, 
maintaining a nice 65 degrees pretty much year-round without any help 
from air conditioning equipment.  Put in a dehumidifier and a good 
filter to keep down moisture and dust, and things could be peachy.

An attic would certainly mean curtains for all but the hardiest of gear, 
and insure flaky, erratic performance.



HTH,
~B

Tommy Williams wrote:
> I was wondering if anyone has successfully moved server machines to an
> un-conditioned portion of their dwelling. Also what (if any) problems
> have arisen from this, or what type of preparatory work I should
> expect to perform.