Noise Reduction in the Data Center & Office Processing Facilities

1. Noise Reduction in the Data Center & Office Processing Facilities

2. Data Center Noise “Consolidation and denser equipment make for noisier data centers.” Computer World (2007) In 2001, the World Health Organization published revised guidelines for Community Noise in which it recommends a 70 dB (A) noise level limit for commercial areas. It is worth noting that the combined noise level of just eight low form factor servers operating with average CPU loads would be approximately 74 dB (A).

3. Identifying Sales Opportunities • Decision makers respond well to the following triggers; • Efficiency / Green / Reduced Energy • Direct comparison between the huge cost (both upfront and ongoing) and inflexibility of a dedicated Computer Room. • Desire to be leading edge • Improving the Working Environment • Justifiable ROI Demand for quiet racks is growing in these sectors; • Audio Visual/Graphic Design Studios • Education, Schools and Universities, Libraries • SOHO sector • Large Enterprise / Government Facilities with satellite/branch Cloud Deployments • Niche requirements: Healthcare Clinics, Ships, Marketing Exhibits

4. What is Noise? • Is a sound that is noticeably unpleasant • Any sound that is undesired or interferes with one’s hearing of something Merriam-Webster.com (2011)

5. What Does dB(A) Mean? • Decibel (dB) is a measurement of Sound Pressure Level (SPL) • Sound Pressure Level is the physical intensity of sound • The (A) after the dB refers to an ‘A weighting’. This weighting gives more significance to audible sound frequencies and therefore attempts to reflect sound levels as they are experience by a human ear.

6. How Loud is Loud? • 60 dB(A) - A normal office conversation • 70 dB(A) – A Vacuum Cleaner • 77 dB(A) – A Passenger Car @ 65 mph • 80 dB(A) – Garbage Disposal • 90 dB(A) – Power Lawn Mower • 140 dB(A) - Jet Engine at takeoff

7. Data Center Equipment Noise • 70dB(A) - Sun Fire X2270 M2 Server • 72dB(A) – IBM 8852 BladeCenter H (Performance Mode, Enhanced Blowers) • 66dB(A) – IBM 8852 BladeCenter H (Performance Mode, Original Blowers) • 71dB(A) – Dell PowerEdge 6800 Ratings based on single unit. SPL increases approximately 3dB(A) for each additional unit added to the environment.

8. Data Center Equipment Noise • Several Studies have shown that noise levels within Data Centers vary from 68dB(A) to 80dB(A). • Size of facility, amount of equipment, type of cooling systems all have an impact on the noise levels.

9. Considerations • Workplace Regulations • The Human Effects • Cost to Business

10. Workplace Regulations When an employee is exposed to noise levels of at least 85dB(A) for a period of 8 hours or more, employers must implement programs to monitor the environment and provide employees with hearing protection. Occupational Safety & Health Administration

11. The Human Effects • Hearing Impairment • Interferences with Spoken Communication • Cardiovascular Disturbances • Mental Health Disturbances • Impaired Task Performance • Annoyance Reactions World Health Organization

12. Hearing Impairment Exposure to constant sound levels above 85dB(A) is potentially hazardous and can be a main contributor to hearing loss.

13. Interference With Spoken Communication Noise at increased levels interferes with the ability to comprehend normal speech. Decreased working capacity and stress reactions can also occur.

14. Cardiovascular Disturbances Daily exposure to noises above 65dB(A) can trigger nervous system responses that affect the cardiovascular system leading to hypertension, increased blood pressure and increased heart rates.

15. Mental Health Disturbances Noise may cause or contribute to effects like anxiety, stress, headaches and changes in mood.

16. Impaired Task Performances Noise can impair task performance at work, increasing errors and decreasing motivation. Reading attention, problem solving, and memory are strongly affected by noise.

17. Annoyance Reactions Sound levels above 45dB(A) can produce annoyance reactions in a significant number of people.

18. Cost to Business • Employee Productivity • Health Insurance • Workman’s Compensation Claims • Government Regulations

19. Possible Solutions • Hearing Protection • Lights-Out Operations • Specialized Server Enclosures World Health Organization

20. Hearing Protection • Low cost, quick to implement • Does not reduce noise in workplace • Temporary Solution

21. Lights-Out Operations • Provides reduced exposure for employees • Difficult and costly to implement • Does not reduce noise in workplace

22. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures • Reduces noise of data center equipment (from 14 to 30dB(A) reduction) • Immediate installation, no construction costs • Addresses equipment thermals, potentially decreasing cooling costs

23. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures • Offers alternative to dedicated server room • 100% Portable • Scalable • Use of ambient air for cooling

24. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures • Use of high density foam designed to attenuate the specific frequencies of server noise • Designed to minimize sound leakage at cable access points • Use of fan systems to facilitate proper thermal dissipation using ambient air

25. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures • Attractive appearances to fit most workplace environments • Provides secure environment for sensitive equipment • Designed with operational cost-savings in mind

26. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: UCOUSTIC 28.5 dB(A) Noise Reduction Thermal Dissipation of 7.2kW Energy Efficient Available in 12u, 24u and 42u sizes

27. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: UCOUSTIC Premium Wood Option 28.5 dB(A) Noise Reduction Thermal Dissipation of 7.2kW Energy Efficient Available in: Oak, Maple, Beech, Cherry, Ash, Walnut, Mahogany for 12u, 24u and 42u sizes

28. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: AcoustiRACK Active Up to 30 dB(A) Noise Reduction using Active Noise Cancellation Technology Thermal Dissipation of 8kW Glass Front Door Available in 15u and 33u sizes Active Silencer Fan Tray™(ASFT™) AcoustiRACK ACTIVE is an alliance partner in HP BladeSystem Solution Builder Program and for Intel Modular Servers supporting Active Noise Control Enclosure Solutions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ExBkpLJmpM&feature=related

29. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: AcoustiQuiet 20.7 dB(A) Noise Reduction Thermal Dissipation up to 3kW Built for the Budget conscious Cost-Effective Available in a variety of sizes & Depths 24U, 35U & 44U – (36” & 42” deep)

30. Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: AcoustiQuiet Mini Cabinet 14 dB(A) Noise Reduction Thermal Dissipation 9u (1.2KW) & 12u (1.5KW) Cost-Effective, SOHO applications Available in 9u & 12u

31. Acoustic Server Enclosure Applications • Isolation of loud servers in existing data center rooms / NOC (network operation centers) • Laboratories /Libraries / Broadcast & Sound Studios • Classrooms / Lecture Halls /Training Rooms • Medical Offices & Clinics / Hospitals • Boardrooms / Public Safety Facilities

32. Acoustic Server Enclosure Applications • Open Office Environments • Alternative to data room build-out in smaller satellite offices / Branch Offices • Environments with limited space / rented space • Future Relocation / Temporary IT Moves • Workspaces where cooling options are limited

33. Deployment Considerations • Budgets • Available Floor Space • Electrical Requirements and Consumption • HVAC Requirements • Deployment Timeline • Scalability • Portability

34. ROI Scenarios Mkt. Research Firm, Mid Atlantic US Not building a server room saved:Total Savings Over 3 Years: $119,817 Savings Breakdown:Rental Cost Per Year: $18,720AC Running Cost Per Year: $4,719Room Conversion Cost: $49,500 Equipment Deployed:• 3 x Cisco Catalyst Gb PoE Switches• 6 x Switches• 3 fibre panels• 1 x UPS Approx Max Thermal Load: 8kWQuiet Rack Solution*: 3 x 42U racksQuiet Rack Purchase Price:$16,000 A-V Studio, Los Angeles CA Not building a server room saved:Total Savings Over 3 Years: $91,443 Savings Breakdown:Rental Cost Per Year: $13,520AC Running Cost Per Year: $5,961Room Conversion Cost: $33,000 Equipment Deployed:• 2 x XServe (Dual Processor)• 1 x Telephone System• 2 x File Servers• 10 x Render Nodes Approx Max Thermal Load: 10kWQuiet Rack Solution: 2 x 12U Quiet Rack Purchase Price:$9,000

35. ROI Scenarios Private Middle School, North East US Not building a server room saved:Total Savings Over 3 Years:$45,906 Savings Breakdown:Rental Cost Per Year: $4,355AC. Running Cost Per Year: $2,697Room Conversion Cost: $24,750 Equipment Deployed:• 5 x mini desktops• 5 x Dual Processor Servers• 1 x fully populated RAID• 2 x Switches• 1 x Firewall & 1 x UPS Approx Max Thermal Load: 4kWQuiet Rack Solution*: 1 x 42U rackQuiet Rack Purchase Price:$8,300 Medium Size Enterprise, Chicago Metro Not building a server room saved:Total Savings Over 3 Years: $55,020 Savings Breakdown:Rental Cost Per Year: $8,700AC. Running Cost Per Year: $1,390Room Conversion Cost: $24,750 Equipment Deployed:• 2 x PoE Switches• 2 x Tower Server (Single Processor)• 3 x Servers (5 Processors in Total)• 2 x NAS boxes• 1 x UPS Approx Max Thermal Load: 2kWQuiet Rack Solution*: 1 x 24U rackQuiet Rack Purchase Price:$4,900

36. Helpful URL’s http://usrackdistributors.com/dealers/dealers.asp US Rack Distributors Password protected Dealer Web Page USER NAME: dealers ; Pass Word: USRD2010! http://usrackdistributors.com/noise-reduction.asp Demonstrating dB(A) Noise Reduction Effect http://www.quiet-rack.com/ Industry Forum Web Page

37. Noise Reduction in the Data Center As OSHA tightens down on undue noise in the work place, in the Data Centers, or at processing facilities, driving workers compensation insurance claims against the enterprise, we offer practical solutions. Our Soundproof Rack Server Cabinets help mitigate the incessant Noise caused by the proliferation of Servers, Network Elements and AV Electronics, even while optimizing power consumption efficiencies. Quiet Server Rack Cabinet Deployments can resolve noise pollution, increase energy efficiency, and reduce costs. QUESTIONS?