Airflow through Exalogic machines is from front to back. For cooling and airflow requirements, see Environmental Requirements.
Note:
Studies have shown that temperature increases of 10 degrees Celsius (15 degrees Fahrenheit) above 20 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) reduce long-term electronics reliability by 50 percent.
Excessive internal temperatures may result in full or partial shutdown of Exalogic machines.
Table 2-6 lists the temperature, humidity and altitude requirements for operating and nonoperating machines.
Table 2-6 Temperature, Humidity, and Altitude Requirements
| Condition | Operating Requirement | Nonoperating Requirement | Optimum |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Temperature |
5 to 32 degrees Celsius (59 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) |
-40 to 70 degrees Celsius (-40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit). |
For optimal rack cooling, data center temperatures from 21 to 23 degrees Celsius (70 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit) |
|
Relative humidity |
10 to 90 percent relative humidity, non-condensing |
Up to 93 percent relative humidity. |
For optimal data center rack cooling, 45 to 50 percent, non-condensing |
|
Altitude |
3048 meters (10000 feet) maximum |
12000 meters (40000 feet). |
Ambient temperature is reduced by 1 degree Celsius per 300 m above 900 m altitude above sea level |
Set conditions to the optimal temperature and humidity ranges to minimize the chance of downtime due to component failure. Operating an Exalogic machine for extended periods at or near the operating range limits, or installing it in an environment where it remains at or near non-operating range limits could significantly increase hardware component failure.
The ambient temperature range of 21 to 23 degrees Celsius (70 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit) is optimal for server reliability and operator comfort. Most computer equipment can operate in a wide temperature range, but near 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit) is desirable because it is easier to maintain safe humidity levels. Operating in this temperature range provides a safety buffer in the event that the air conditioning system goes down for a period of time.
The ambient relative humidity range of 45 to 50 percent is suitable for safe data processing operations. Most computer equipment can operate in a wide range (20 to 80 percent), but the range of 45 to 50 percent is recommended for the following reasons:
Optimal range helps protect computer systems from corrosion problems associated with high humidity levels.
Optimal range provides the greatest operating time buffer in the event of air conditioner control failure.
This range helps avoid failures or temporary malfunctions caused by intermittent interference from static discharges that may occur when relative humidity is too low.
Note:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is easily generated, and hard to dissipate in areas of low relative humidity, such as below 35 percent. ESD becomes critical when humidity drops below 30 percent. It is not difficult to maintain humidity in a data center because of the high-efficiency vapor barrier and low rate of air changes normally present.