In today’s modern business world, the server room is the heart of any company’s operations—no matter how big or small. It is where essential and important data is stored and protected, and where the majority of organizations spend much time and resources, protecting access, ensuring anti-virus software is up-to-date, and that any would-be hacker is denied entry.
However, there are other dangers as well, namely contaminants that have the potential to cause equipment malfunction, downtime, and ultimately, financial loss and possible business closure.
That is why the team at Connectivity is so passionate about server room cleaning. We know just how costly a messy server room can be, which is why we compiled this helpful list of tips and advice.
How to Keep Your Server Room Pristine & Well-Functioning
Here are some tips to implement right now as it relates to server room maintenance:
Be Aware of the Problems Associated with “Server Room Spaghetti.” Tangled cords and cables can be a nightmare to deal with—especially when something goes wrong, and your staff is faced with troubleshooting. Therefore, ensure you regularly:
o Organize cables and clearly label both ends so you know where the cable begins—and ends.
o Color code your cables based on which device they are associated with, i.e., workstations, VoIP, and printers.
o Measure and cut cables to the proper length.
o Use vertical cable management so you can see cables clearly and efficiently.
Don’t Let Your Server Room Get Dusty. Here’s a fact for you: Approximately 80% of dust and dirt gets tracked in your server room on the soles of people’s shoes, and if this debris is not regularly cleaned, it can result in equipment temperature rising by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, which can lead to overheating and subsequent downtime. Additionally…
o Downtime in a company’s data center can cost as much as $5,600 per minute. (Yikes!)
o To prevent this, make sure you regularly shut down the cooling system to remove debris using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and antistatic cleaning solution with a microfiber cloth.
Temperature Control is Another Important Component
It is necessary to prevent the equipment in your server room from overheating. It is advised to keep the internal room temperature at approximately 77 degrees while also preventing the room from receiving direct sunlight. The cooling system you use must account for the heat the servers generate in operation, so don’t overcrowd your room, and ensure proper spacing.
Also, take into account the role humidity can play. Keep relative humidity somewhere between 45% and 55%. Remember, if humidity is too low, electrostatic discharge can occur. If it is too high, then rust, corrosion, short-circuiting, and mold can find a home in your server room.
Know Which Cleaning Products to Use
It isn’t wise to clean your server room with just anything you find in your company’s breakroom either. Server rooms should be maintained and cleaned by using:
A vacuum with a HEPA filter
Microfiber cloths
Antistatic cleaning solution
Server Room Cleaning Requires Specialized Knowledge
Connectivity recommends that a server room be deep cleaned every three months, which can be a time intensive thing for any business. However, this is such an important business operation because it is integral to your company’s success, profitability, and ability to deliver great customer service.
So, our next piece of advice? Hire a professional company, like Connectivity, to handle it for you in an organized, efficient, and on-schedule way. Reach out to our office today and schedule a server room cleanup. We love partnering with companies to take the stress out of this process while ensuring it gets done the right way on a regular basis.