Peripheral Solutions that aid the Data Centre
EDP Europe supplies data centre peripheral solutions that aids Data Centre and IT Room operations, and helps make tasks such as equipment installation and configuration easier to do.
What issues affect server room operation during server installation and configuration?
Installing IT equipment such as servers, network switches, UPS and power can cause a level of server room operation disruption. It often requires multiple engineers to install this equipment, because the equipment is usually heavy, bulky or sensitive and needs to be handled correctly. During server installation and configuration, there are Health & Safety considerations with risks of personal injury if equipment is lifted incorrectly. For example, UPS equipment can be extremely heavy due to the batteries installed within them, even if they are removed the task doesn’t become that much easier as the equipment size is very bulky.
The risk of damage to the equipment or injury to the technician becomes even greater the higher up the rack equipment is installed, and with IT racks increasing in size from 42U to 48U or higher the problem becomes even greater. Despite materials handling training technicians have been known to take ‘short cuts’ and use inappropriate items to stand on to install equipment at these higher levels, increasing the risk of injury. Also, during server configuration laptops can often be left lying around on the floor or balanced on boxes or other flat surfaces that can lead to them becoming damaged.
What data centre peripheral solutions are available to aid day-to-day data centre operations?
EDP Europe supply data centre peripheral solutions that help with day-to-day data centre operations and aids the equipment installation process. We offer a range of battery operated or manually operated server lifters that help move and lift IT equipment during the installation process. On top of this EDP Europe offers a range of computer crash carts or mobile workstations that provide technicians with an easier working platform to use when configuring servers and other pieces of IT equipment housed within IT racks.
EDP Europe offers other solutions that aid data centre operations from airflow management to data centre infrastructure solutions. Effective airflow management can help improve energy efficiency and EDP Europe offers solutions such as KoldLok raised floor grommets, rack blanking panels and aisle containment systems which all help improve cooling efficiency. Infrastructure solutions include 19” racks, raised floors, and peripheral solutions. EDP also offers connectivity solutions with fibre optic network solutions from HUBER+SUHNER that support both Meet Me Room connectivity and Whitespace connectivity. To aid network installation we offer products that support the installation process with a range of fibre network cable testers and fusion splicers for installing and repairing fibre optic networks.
Why is the use of lifting equipment important in the IT equipment installation procedure?
The use of lifting equipment during the IT equipment installation procedure can help minimise the risk of damage to the equipment being installed and injury to the technicians installing it. Health & Safety guidelines for manual handling operations, which involve lifting and lowering, stipulate the maximum weights that can be handled in reasonable working conditions and with a stable body condition. At waist height and close to the body it’s possible to safely handle 25kg, but this weight capacity diminishes drastically when either the object being handled is further away from the body or lifted or lowered beyond waist height.
As some IT equipment can be heavier than this or is too bulky to be handled solo, it often requires multiple technicians to lift and install equipment, and even then, the risk of damage or injury can still be high. A safer method is through the use of lifting equipment such as server lifters. Server lifters come in a variety of models which include battery operated or manually operated server lifters, with both helping to aid the movement of IT equipment to the rack and lifting it to the required height to be installed. They also provide a solid platform from which to install or uninstall equipment to pull-out mounting kits. Weight capacities and lifting heights vary depending on the model. EDP Europe offer battery server lifters capable of lifting 200kg to a height of 46U (49-SL-200EM) or 400kg to 38U (49-SL-400). EDP’ manual server lifter lifts 200kg to a height of 32U (49-WPM-200). EDP Europe also distribute Genie server lifters including the Genie GL8 that is capable of lifting loads up to 181kg to 2.50m (55U).
Learn more about server lifters on our ‘Guide To Server Lifts’ page.
How does a mobile cart help server installation & server maintenance?
A mobile cart, often referred to as a computer crash cart or mobile workstation, is a piece of console furniture that helps with server installation and server maintenance tasks in Data Centres and IT Rooms. A mobile cart can be used with either a laptop or PC to enable IT Technicians a quick way to move a computer workstation to a server or other piece of IT equipment that requires attention. This might be as a result of failure, need for installation or as part of a server maintenance programme. They enable the IT technician to connect directly to the server, or other IT device, via a laptop or PC and offer a platform for a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Their design varies from model to model but most offer a high level of manoeuvrability, with locking wheels for stability when in use and adjustability of working position from seated to standing to provide a comfortable working position for the operator. Learn more on our ‘Guide To Crash Carts’ page.
To find out more information or if you have a requirement that you would like assistance with please get in touch.
