The Importance of Opposing-Facing Server Racks in Datacenters
Question
A network operations manager has added a second row of server racks in the datacenter.
These racks face the opposite direction of the first row of racks.
Which of the following is the reason the manager installed the racks this way?
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D.B.
The correct answer is B. To create environmental hot and cold isles.
When setting up a data center, it is important to consider the physical environment of the space, including temperature and airflow management. Data centers generate a lot of heat, and it is critical to keep the temperature within an acceptable range to prevent equipment failure and downtime.
To achieve this, data centers are typically designed with a hot aisle/cold aisle layout, which involves arranging server racks in alternating rows, with the front of one row facing the front of the opposite row. In this layout, the front of each server faces the cold aisle, where cool air is supplied, and the back of each server faces the hot aisle, where hot air is exhausted.
By creating these hot and cold aisles, the cool air is better directed toward the servers' intakes, and hot air is better directed to exhaust vents. This layout helps to optimize the cooling efficiency, ensuring that the equipment operates at a consistent temperature, and reducing energy consumption.
In the scenario presented, the network operations manager added a second row of server racks facing the opposite direction of the first row of racks. This suggests that the manager is implementing the hot aisle/cold aisle layout to improve the data center's cooling efficiency. By alternating the direction of the server racks, the cold and hot aisles can be effectively created, and airflows can be better managed, resulting in optimized cooling and energy efficiency. Therefore, the correct answer is B, to create environmental hot and cold isles.
The other options (A, C, and D) are not relevant to this scenario. Sharing power outlets may reduce the number of outlets needed but does not explain the need for the second row of racks facing the opposite direction. Electromagnetic interference can be reduced by proper grounding and shielding, and fire suppression capabilities are usually designed into the data center itself, rather than by the orientation of the server racks.
