Noise Reduction in the Data Center & Office Processing Facilities

“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).

Data Center Noise

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

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

Is a sound that is noticeably unpleasant

Any sound that is undesired or interferes with one’s hearing of something

What is Noise?

Merriam-Webster.com (2011)

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.

What Does dB(A) Mean?

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

How Loud is Loud?

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

Data Center Equipment Noise

Ratings based on single unit. SPL increases approximately 3dB(A) for each additional unit added to the environment.

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.

Data Center Equipment Noise

Workplace Regulations

The Human Effects

Cost to Business

Considerations

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.

Workplace Regulations

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Hearing Impairment

Interferences with Spoken Communication

Cardiovascular Disturbances

Mental Health Disturbances

Impaired Task Performance

Annoyance Reactions

The Human Effects

World Health Organization

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

Hearing Impairment

Noise at increased levels interferes with the ability to comprehend normal speech.

Decreased working capacity and stress reactions can also occur.

Interference With Spoken Communication

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.

Cardiovascular Disturbances

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

Mental Health Disturbances

Noise can impair task performance at work, increasing errors and decreasing motivation.

Reading attention, problem solving, and memory are strongly affected by noise.

Impaired Task Performances

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

Annoyance Reactions

Employee Productivity

Health Insurance

Workman’s Compensation Claims

Government Regulations

Cost to Business

Hearing Protection

Lights-Out Operations

Specialized Server Enclosures

Possible Solutions

World Health Organization

Low cost, quick to implement

Does not reduce noise in workplace

Temporary Solution

Hearing Protection

Provides reduced exposure for employees

Difficult and costly to implement

Does not reduce noise in workplace

Lights-Out Operations

Reduces noise of data center equipment (from 14 to 30dB(A) reduction)

Immediate installation, no construction costs

Addresses equipment thermals, potentially decreasing cooling costs

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures

Offers alternative to dedicated server room

100% Portable

Scalable

Use of ambient air for cooling

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

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures

Attractive appearances to fit most workplace environments

Provides secure environment for sensitive equipment

Designed with operational cost-savings in mind

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures

28.5 dB(A) Noise Reduction

Thermal Dissipation of 7.2kW

Energy Efficient

Available in 12u, 24u and 42u sizes

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures:

UCOUSTIC

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

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures:

UCOUSTIC Premium Wood Option

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

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: AcoustiRACK

Active

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)

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures:

AcoustiQuiet

14 dB(A) Noise Reduction

Thermal Dissipation

9u (1.2KW) & 12u (1.5KW)

Cost-Effective, SOHO applications

Available in 9u & 12u

Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures: AcoustiQuiet Mini

Cabinet

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

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

Acoustic Server Enclosure Applications

Budgets

Available Floor Space

Electrical Requirements and Consumption

HVAC Requirements

Deployment Timeline

Scalability

Portability

Deployment Considerations

ROI ScenariosMkt. 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

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

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

ROI Scenarios

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

Helpful URL’s

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?

Noise Reduction in the Data Center