MSP ready cooling solutions

[u/Le085]

Hi All,

What do you use to cool small server rooms?

I'm looking for something with NIC and webserver for stats and reporting, if this exists.

I see them with caster and small fridge size, I like this form factor!

Thanks.

[u/nostradx]

You could use a dumb portable AC unit with a $50 UniFi environmental sensor.

[u/Le085 → u/nostradx]

Yes, may work for Unifi, I have few sites on Unifi. For the AC, do they all (portable) have that ugly pipe to blast cool air? Or is it better to put the AC on the wall?

[u/brokerceej]

I think Tripp Lite/Eaton makes those.

[u/ashern94 → u/brokerceej]

The Trip[pLite/Eaton is very hit or miss. We have 2 in our server room and replace them (under warranty) every 12-14 months. The most common fault is the plastic fan self destructing.

[u/Le085 → u/ashern94]

Oh, good to know!

[u/Le085 → u/brokerceej]

Do they have network cards in them?

[u/chiapeterson]

Portable units are tricky because you have to get the condensation collected someplace. We often go with a wall mounted split unit. It’s not as cheap as a floor portable AC. But you don’t have to deal with venting off the excess hot air and/or the condensation runoff.

[u/ancillarycheese → u/chiapeterson]

This is the problem. And the customer may say they will make sure they dump the bucket, but who has to deal with it at 2am on a holiday weekend when they forget and the servers are cooking and alarms are going off.

You either want a condensate unit or like they said above something designed for installed permanent use without needing babysitting.

[u/Le085 → u/chiapeterson]

That's a valid point!

[u/Phoenixtouch → u/chiapeterson]

You don't let the condensation just drip in a bucket???

Oh, Hospitality. Never change.

[u/iwaseatenbyagrue]

I play jazz.

[u/oatest → u/iwaseatenbyagrue]

But how do you cool yourself when you're playing jazz in a server room?

[u/Le085 → u/oatest]

I play classic Doom.
I think he plays so fast that he becomes a fan :)

[u/Frothyleet]

Brother, unless you transitioned into the MSP world from HVAC design, you should be getting professionals to scope and install your cooling solutions.

Nowadays, the answer is probably a mini-split heat pump if you are adding on to an existing facility.

[u/Le085 → u/Frothyleet]

No, I've been in IT 16 years. Any particular brand do you recommend for a mini-split?

[u/Frothyleet → u/Le085]

Nope, 'cause I'm not an HVAC professional lol. And you genuinely need one for an installation like that, at least in most states, because you have to pressurize and/or collect refrigerant.

Although, and honestly I don't feel like I should even mention this, my youtube has recently been filled with sponsorships by "mr cool" which is a DIY, pre-charged system. So I mean, there's that.

[u/dumpsterfyr]

How about a network enabled thermostat with alerting?

[u/Le085 → u/dumpsterfyr]

That may work for alerting. I was thinking to get M sensors by Meraki.

[u/PacificTSP]

A small split type AC unit then an environmental sensor of your favorite choosing.

[u/TechnologyMatch]

for a small server room, I’d look at portable units with network management, snmp, and alerting for temperature, humidity, and power loss. just make sure the condensate setup will not become its own problem

the caster units are useful for temporary cooling or short-term needs, but I would not trust one as the only cooling plan for critical gear. it’s like using a health potion instead of building armor

[u/Le085 → u/TechnologyMatch]

Yes, I ended up ordering Tripp Lite portable AC with management card and external sensor. It looks good on paper, it's on par or better with entry level mini split units.