How to keep a server cabinet cool

[amberlynn]

My client has an HP ProLiant ML350 in a steel & glass server cabinet that's about 5' X 3' X 3'.
Currently the door to this cabinet is left open to avoid overheating.
For security reasons, they would like to lock this cabinet.
What type of compact cooling systems are available for this type of situation?
Thanks,
Amber

 

[TheLad]

The standard racks do not have sealed doors, they have a mesh type door to allow air circulation. Unless your rack had air circulation holes in the glass doors, there is not a lot you can do to help with server cooling as servers generally drag cold air in from the front and pump out hot hair from the back. If they cannot do either, this is when you get overheating issues.

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[amberlynn]

This rack has vent holes all around the top, and one round hole on the lower right side (for cords).

 

[cajuntank]

You might could find a fan kit for that rack where it could exhaust the heated air out of the rack. If you could then duct that heated air our through the plenum, then your servers wouldn't draw in heated air and you HVAC wouldn't have to strain cooling heated air.

 

[blister911]

With the limited amount of current ventilation, anything installed will require some fabrication to the cabinet.

There has to be a way for air to get in as well as out, and it has it be able to circulate around the server. If you exhaust the air out the top but also pull air in from the top, even if physically isolated, there is nothing creating proper air flow within the cabinet.

 

[amberlynn]

So it sounds like they may be better off to purchase something?
Any suggestions? Cost will be a factor as this is a non-profit group with limited IT budgeting.
Thanks!
Amber

 

[cajuntank]

Depending on how much heat your equipment is producing, your building codes, and where you are getting your fresh air from, then you might have to vent the heated air out of the building. The principal still stays the same though, cooled air (cooled by your HVAC) in from the front (that's why those servers have fans sucking air in) and heated air out the back. Some form of top mounted fan or back door unit to suck that hot air and blow it out (via some ducting) out of the building if it's a lot of hot air, or up in the plenum space which would then vent out the building through normal means (again, check your building codes in your state) if the heated air is minimal.
Again, it's all about controlling that air flow. The construction of "most" enclosures are built for that purpose. The side panels, the front filler panels, fan kits, etc... are all there to ensure proper air flow so that heated air is directed out of the cabinet. What you do with it once it's made it out of the cabinet is then your responsibility. But I can tell you, the servers do not want that heated air circulating in same room and your HVAC system will never be able to cool that hot zone until you get rid of the hot air.

 

[snurfen]

Sounds like you have a patching cabinet for cabling, as opposed to a server rack.

If it all possible, get a server rack purchased. As a previous poster suggests, one with a grill front door is better. Keep the sides on to assist channelled air-flow and get a four fan rack to go in the top. Make sure it's all earthed out, cos 4 fans (or one big one) can really generate some static in the wrong conditions.

Make sure all removable panels have locks, as per HP racks, so the customer can secure the whole thing.