Setting Up a Server Room on Budget

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Read on for tips on setting up an efficient and reliable server room… even if you’re on a tight budget.

Controlling operational costs is always a challenge, but amid the current recession budgets are tighter than ever. While its possible to make smart decisions and cut a few extras to spend less, one thing most companies cant nix is a reliable server and a cool, secure room in which to keep it. In this day and age, its nearly impossible to do business without a solid network infrastructure, and server rooms have become the nerve centers of our businesses. But despite its vital importance, a server room doesnt necessarily have to break the bank.

Read on for tips on setting up an efficient and reliable server room even if youre on a tight budget.

Choosing the Perfect Server Room Location

Just as all proverbial roads lead to Rome, all structured cabling leads to the server room. This considered, the ideal server room is centrally located, so that cables can be strategically run without the need to cover too much distance, or

take too many twists and turns along the way. Choose a room that is easily accessible to IT staff, but make sure that its also somewhat out of the way, so that you dont have unauthorized personnel wandering in and out. When youre considering space for a server room, be sure to allow for growth. Your company may be starting out small, but when it grows, you could find yourself very short on space. Aside from creating logistical nightmares, overcrowded server rooms are also extremely prone to overheating, which can lower the efficiency of, or destroy, your network components.
General Tips

When purchasing hubs, switches and routers, stick with the same brand for all itll make maintenance and troubleshooting down the road that much easier. Should you ever encounter a problem with a mixed setup, troubleshooting between several manufacturers could prove extremely tricky, and its likely that youd be referred from one companys service department to the ne

xt without ever getting answers. On the other hand, troubleshooting with a single manufacturer just might get you results. When the support reps youre dealing with over the phone are actually familiar with all of your hardware, theyll be far more likely to get to the root of the problem, and far less likely to pass you on to someone else. One of the most vital aspects of server room operation is temperature control. Because the ambient temperature of a server room needs to stay between 65F and 75F for equipment to run safely and efficiently, proper air conditioning is crucial. Relying on central A/C can cause problems because of the climatic differences between rooms; while one room may be unbearably cold, the one next to it could be stifling. Conditions like this, in the presence of just a single thermostat, can lead to catastrophic overheating in the server room. Dont gamble with central A/C; instead, equip your server room with its own dedicated thermostat, which will allow for min

ute temperature adjustment as often as needed. When you purchase a server, take into account all of the software that your business requires, and make sure that the server can singlehandedly accommodate all of the applications.
Save Money

Save money by passing up the most expensive hubs, switches and routers. Instead, opt for brands like Netgear and D-Link, who manufacture reliable network equipment that wont wipe out your budget. Instead of purchasing a different server for every application, try to use a single server for everything. If your company is very small, you can always forgo the file server, and instead opt for an external hard drive that can be integrated into your network; 500GB drives are typically very affordable. When youre shopping for servers, check out Dell: their product line accommodates a wide range of needs and budgets. Take the time to evaluate your needs before you purchase, so that you dont end up spending money on thing

s you dont need. For instance, if your business is small, go with 1Gb instead of 10Gb, or select smaller hubs and switches after all, why pay for 48 ports when 24 are more than enough? While being conservative, try to reasonably gauge your business growth so that you dont over or under-buy. If youre starting out small, pass up large server racks for something small and wall-mountable. You can always add more (or bigger) racks later when you need them, but for the time being youll save money and space.
(Guest Profile: Paul Holstein is the Co-Founder and COO of CableOrganizer.com, a leading eTailer of cable, wire and equipment management solutions)