Rackmount servers and equipment, including the Oracle Server X5-8, typically draw cool air in from the front of the rack and let warm air out the back of the rack. There is no airflow requirement for the left and right sides due to front-to-back cooling.
Air conditioning facilities usually do not precisely monitor or control temperature and humidity throughout an entire computer room. Generally, monitoring is done at individual points corresponding to multiple exhaust vents in the main unit, and other units in the room.
Pay special consideration to humidity when using underfloor ventilation. When underfloor ventilation is used, monitoring is done at each point close to an exhaust vent. Distribution of the temperature and humidity across the entire room is uneven.
The Oracle Server X5-8 has been designed to function while installed in a natural convection airflow. The following requirements must be followed to meet the environmental specification:
Ensure that there is adequate airflow through the system.
Ensure that air intake is at the front of the system, and the air outlet is at the back of the system.
Allow a minimum clearance of 1,232 mm (48.5 inches) at the front of the system, and 914 mm (36 inches) at the back of the system for ventilation.
Ensure unobstructed airflow through the chassis. The server uses internal fans that can achieve a total airflow of 100 CFM in normal operating conditions.
Ensure that the air temperature rise through the server is no greater than 68°F (20°C).
Ensure that inlet air enters at the front of the server and exits from the back.
Ensure that ventilation openings such as cabinet doors, for both the inlet and exhaust of the server are not obstructed. For example, Oracle's Sun Rack II has been optimized for cooling. Both the front and back doors have 80 percent perforations that provide a high level of airflow through the rack.
Ensure that front and back clearance of the server allow a minimum of 1 inch (25.4 mm) at the front of the server and 3.15 inch (80 mm) at the back of the server when mounted.
These clearance values are based on the inlet and exhaust impedance (available open area) stated above and assume a uniform distribution of the open area across the inlet and exhaust areas. These values also improve cooling performance.
Take care to prevent recirculation of exhaust air within a rack or cabinet.
Manage cables to minimize interference with the server exhaust vent.