QUESTION
What do I have to consider when I'm planning a new server room for a small company (30 PCs, 5 servers, a couple of switches, routers, UPS...)?
What are the most important aspects in order to protect the hardware? What things do not belong in a server closet?
Edit: You may also be interested in this question: Server Room Survival Kit.
Thank you!
ANSWER
- Enough space for expansion
- Plenty of network ports
- Sufficient network bandwidth
- Plenty of dedicated power sockets
- Should not be on the ground floor (risk of flooding + less secure)
- Fire suppression facilities + smoke alarms
- IP KVM for remote access
- Telephone (so the operator can call a support line while looking at the hardware)
- Pens + paper
- A label printer - label everything!
- A standard printer (nice to have)
- Spare network and power cables
- Air conditioning (also dehumidifies)
- Good UPS (with automated/controlled shutdown functionality)
- Sufficient power to run everything (and enough for expansion)
- Entrance security (preferably also with logging)
- Physical security (security on windows, entrance, etc.)
- Whiteboard (nice to have)
- Fireproof safe (for storing backup tapes, passwords and installation media)
- Good server racks - well maintained (cabling)
- Enough space to work comfortably behind the servers
- A table large enough to build/dismantle a server on (plus monitor, keyboard and mouse)
- At least 1 chair
- Tidy patch panel (especially if you patch to PC's and telephones in the office)
- Good lighting