ServePath Blog

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This week I thought I’d share some installation tips with you. For those of you who are first time colocators or perhaps just starting to think about colocation it is nice to have an idea of what to expect when bringing your gear to a colocation facility, like our San Francisco data center.

1. Please make sure you install your servers facing the right direction
I know, this sounds like a joke, right, but it’s actually not Our rows are designed so the backs of the servers face each other, creating a current of heat that rises every other row. Because servers draw hot air in the front and push it out the back, hot air would come out of one side and be pulled into the servers in the next row if each row had servers installed the same direction.

2. If you are mounting a server on sliding rails, attach the rails first loosely.
It will be easier for you to mount the server if the rails have some give and can move to accommodate the server. After the server is in place, you can finish tightening the screws that hold the rails in the rack.

Also, we provide screws to standard equipment, but if you have special stuff, you need to bring your own

3. If you are using a hub or switch that has an AC adapter type power cord (the block kind), tape the plug to the hub or switch with electrical or duct tape.
Now that we have been doing this for some years, we have found that these cords can easily become disconnected from your hub or switch, especially in shared environments. Taping the cord to the hub will ensure that it does not become disconnected. Another good alternative is purchasing a larger 16 port rackmount switch, which normally use a standard AC power cord that is more difficult to knock loose.

4. Fill out all the forms and paperwork beforehand
If you submit your completed paperwork before showing up at the data center, your installation will go a lot smoother. When you are prepared, it makes it easier for everyone, especially for the data center employees who are planning and scheduling their time.

Also, it is good to let the data center employees know about ALL the equipment you’re bringing in – the size of your gear determines where it will physically be located in the data center and it takes time and money to move everything around.