The heat is on - Technology Information

Keep telecom equipment cool and running.

From network and website servers to growing communications systems and ultra-sophisticated communications applications-mission-critical systems require protection from a host of environmental threats, foremost among which is temperature. IT professionals need to take into account the role that humidity fluctuation plays in damaging critical equipment, as well as the effects of dust, dirt and other airborne contaminants on these systems. The effects of environmental conditions on sensitive electronics are heightened in a critical space, such as a switching room, where--in this defined area--controlling and maintaining specific environmental criteria is imperative.

Leading equipment manufacturers often specify tight temperature tolerances, typically in the range of 71 [degrees] F-73 [degrees] F, [+ or -] 2 [degrees] F. While room design is critical to the overall operation and effectiveness of environmental control, infrastructure support solutions also are necessary for continuous systems availability. Overheating can damage delicate circuitry. Equipment itself often generates dry heat, compounding the difficulties in controlling the temperature within a confined area.

An influx of outside air can increase the sensible heat load or the latent (or moisture) load of the cooling system. Moreover, this impact can change dramatically day to day, season to season. Depending on the climate, the load can increase by as much as 30%.

Controlling humidity is as important as regulating temperature. Too much moisture in the air can corrode switching circuitry--particularly in the smaller circuits and tighter configurations of today's high-speed routers and other components--accounting for about 30% to 40% of all equipment failures. Excessively low humidity creates static electricity that can interfere with proper equipment operation. Therefore, standards are equally stringent for humidity control, which is typically 45%-50% relative humidity with a maximum swing of [+ or -] 3% per hour.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

To safeguard telecommunications equipment housed within a critical space, an appropriate and consistent environment is mandatory, and must take into consideration many factors, including the equipment heat load, the number of people in the protected space, migration patterns and infiltration. Also consider the effects of windows, wall construction and the load resulting from bringing in outside air for pressurization. Maintaining the right environment is often difficult--but necessary--for sensitive electronics and equipment with microprocessor controls to run properly.

Commercial air-conditioning systems have serious shortcomings when used to regulate levels suitable for telecommunications networks, components and highspeed controllers. During the winter months, the same dehumidification process that is inherent in sensible cooling during the summer pulls humidity levels down to an unacceptable range for networks. Humidification is then necessary to prevent static shock. The operation of humidifiers should be minimal. These units should allow the system to maintain humidity levels and heating elements necessary for supporting critical space temperatures during extended periods of dehumidification.

The protection of a centralized site no longer needs to involve an actual room. The latest environmental and power protection solutions permit the same level of infrastructure support in vulnerable areas like switching rooms and telecom shelters. Protected environmental systems can range from a lockable housing--an airtight and sound-proof vault for critical equipment--to modular systems that provide cable management, air-conditioning and power protection. These modular and integrated systems are flexible enough to be installed over flooring, through ceiling panels, even by mounting on the wall.

Now, IT professionals can have real-time knowledge and control over the quality of the air and power with the latest connectivity and communications tools. Capabilities range from simple remote monitoring of a single environmental unit to an integrated communications system that can oversee power, environmental and security points monitored from a single location.

The latest communications software and hardware provide multiple communications options for each level of protection, including both in-band and out-of-band communications. Levels range from a simple shutdown interface to comprehensive SNMP-based software that goes beyond power protection and control to oversee air-conditioning and user-programmable inputs.

FACTORING IN SERVICE

In addition to standard control consoles and remote monitoring units, facilities or network telecommunications managers now can incorporate wide-area oversight within the same virtual protection strategy. Designed for large, complex telecommunications systems, these units provide real-time monitoring and alarms from any piece of analog or digital equipment. They can monitor power, temperature and humidity, smoke or water detection, and security--everything from temperature at a remote shelter to battery status on the starter motor of a standby generator.

Specifying and maintaining levels of high availability require access to a number of support services. These may include staff- or contract-maintenance services and personnel. Contracting out support services can help ensure constant and consistent system monitoring, as well as provide critical after-sale training and maintenance expertise, provided certain criteria are in place.

First and foremost, the service provider must be able to respond quickly, whether this requires an environmental system replacement within 24 hours, or faster response for larger environmental units protecting mission-critical systems. Second, a protection program should include a wide range of "presale" services, such as system sizing, configuration planning and an objective assessment of the environment in which the critical equipment operates.

Third, prevention plays a key role in a service plan. The modern facilities manager must be a savvy planner to prevent the loss of service or performance of environmental protection equipment. Adequate preventative maintenance is critical to long-term effectiveness of a preventative maintenance program. This includes checking fan belts, replacing filters and checking for other sources of potential interruptions to continued operation of the system.

As telecommunications becomes more critical to the operation of businesses, protecting these systems becomes equally critical. IT professionals must move beyond the challenges of the environment in which sensitive electronics reside to develop a "holistic" and highly reliable protection strategy. With such a strategy in place, users can be assured of 24x7 systems availability.

Bauer is president, Americas, of Liebert Corp., Columbus, OH. www.liebert.com

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COPYRIGHT 2001 Nelson Publishing
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