[rescue] Deciding how to place machines in a rack...

[Sridhar Ayengar]

Patrick Finnegan wrote:
> On Wednesday 05 March 2008, Brian Deloria wrote:
>> I can see this making sense and being true for Steve's post
>> definately with some proliants coming in at 7u.
>>
>> Does this also hold true for 1u servers, something that's higher
>> density etc.?
> 
> Yes.  It'd be even more important for smaller servers that probably have 
> crappier airflow than a large machine.
> 
>> If we're talking about just relying on the fans that are internal to
>> the machines does having spaces matter?  i.e. no forced air up
>> through the floor etc.
> 
> Yes.  Like I said, the spaces between the machines only serve to act as 
> insulation.  Unless you force air through each of the spaces between 
> the machines, you might as well stuff them with fiberglass insulation, 
> because that's about the same effect that you'll have.

One thing to which I can attest:

At work, I had a rack with a bunch of 4U machines in the top and 
louvered doors, front and back.  There was a bunch of unused space in 
the bottom.  I was getting thermal alarms from the machines.  One of my 
cow-orkers suggested putting blanking panels in the bottom of the rack. 
  The extra isolation between the front and back of the rack was enough 
to keep the alarms from going off.

Peace...  Sridhar