In the information technology (IT) sector, uncompromised business operations are a must when it comes to staying ahead of the competition and making the most of one’s bottom line. Now, as straightforward as it may seem, it should be noted that there are tasks that need to be religiously performed to achieve them.
For instance, airborne particles–if left unmanaged–may find themselves in data centers as well as server rooms and wreak havoc on business operations. That is because they may corrode delicate electrical components, which may consequently lead to malfunctions of servers and other IT equipment. This is where corrosion testing services come into play.
If done properly, the said services can determine if the following actions need to be performed:
- Seal doors, windows, and other data center access points
- Make changes to ensure that a data center envelop is properly pressurized
- Make changes to ensure effective and efficient airflow is achieved at exhaust air grills
- Adjust temperature as well as humidity profile
What are involved in corrosion testing services
- Environmental assessments
The said testing services present a simple quantitative approach when it comes to determining airborne corrosivity in a data center environment. In the process, reactivity method monitoring is also performed. It is a procedure that includes utilizing copper as well silver sensors that have been exposed to the environment for a particular period. This is performed to calculate corrosion layer chemistry and thickness.
If done properly, it can provide a detailed evaluation of the types of corrosive chemical species present in the data center.
- Corrosion monitoring
When it comes to corrosion testing services and air quality monitoring for data centers, there are several solutions to take into consideration. Monitoring of ambient as well as outdoor air at different locations both inside and outside the data center is a requirement for the proper evaluation of environmental conditions in a data center.
To add, the room size as well as layout is considered when trying to determine the right placement and kind of Cloud Computing Complex or CCC that can aid in resolving compliance with air quality criteria and real-time atmospheric corrosion monitors of ACM. The data from the latter is utilized to aid in the statistically reliable assessment corrosion rates, and later on, determine the corrosion control measures that can be deployed in the environment.
- Short-term and long-term monitoring
Short-term monitoring, in general, focuses on short time frames: a couple of hours or weeks or failure resolutions. It also includes monitoring system migrations, cooling system tuning or rearrangement, data center expansion, disaster recovery, and so forth.
Long-term monitoring, on the other hand, zeros-in on optimization; with a timetable of several months. In the process, preventive maintenance, cost allocation, and others are performed. Long-term analysis is beneficial when it comes to identifying broad trends when it comes to usage and afterward, determining underlying causes.
It is important to note that an extensive long-term monitoring system allows the analysis of data at an ideal time scale. With the right system, patterns can be easily recognized and, therefore, included in reports.
Summing up
It can be said that data centers and server rooms are the lifeline of IT businesses. That said, it is crucial to regularly perform corrosion testing services. This is a must for those who want to avoid higher expenditures and failures in business operations.
