The Best Location for Your Business's On-Premise Servers

by Stephanie Faris on Monday, September 12 6:00

Although many businesses are opting for off-premise application and data storage, on-premise servers still have many benefits, especially for larger companies. Smaller businesses may not have the IT expertise necessary to manage on-site servers but as a company grows, it can add specialists who can build and maintain its network.

Whether you re just starting your business or you re adding an on-premise server presence, it s important to carefully consider where you ll put your most sensitive equipment. Here are a few things to consider as you build your server room.

Physical Security

Your IT team will expend a great deal of effort ensuring your systems are secure from external security breaches. However, internal security is a concern, as well. Only authorized technology personnel should be allowed access to your server room, which means it should be locked down using either keys or keycard locks. Often businesses find it works best to have the server room in the same area as the IT team, which allows those employees to oversee any outside vendors who must enter the room to conduct warranty repairs or service on HVAC systems. You may also consider having a security camera nearby to capture video on everyone who enters and exits the area on a daily basis.

Temperature

Whether you have one server or dozens, the environment is essential. Temperatures below 50 degrees or above 82 degrees can cause damage to equipment s sensitive components. The biggest issue most IT teams face is in keeping server room temperatures below 82 degrees, since server equipment tends to generate excess heat that elevates the room temperature. This means IT teams should plan to incorporate dedicated air conditioning systems specifically designed to cool server rooms and data centers. Server staff should be set up to monitor temperatures in the room and have the resources in place to take swift action if a cooling system should malfunction. Each piece of equipment should be placed in racks specially designed for servers, with the ventilation necessary to make sure equipment stays cool.

Disaster Proofing

Even if your building isn t located in a disaster-prone area, no space is 100-percent immune. Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can strike at any time, depending on your specific region. In addition to Mother Nature, your equipment is susceptible to fire and smoke damage if your building suffers that type of disaster. You should be aware of the specific dangers your server room faces and take measures to protect against them. Every server room should be equipped with a fire suppression system to keep equipment safe. Every file and folder on your network should be backed up on a daily basis, with data offloaded to a secondary location where it can be retrieved if your servers suffer irreplaceable damage.

If your business has on-premise servers, it s important to ensure they re secure and properly cooled. Carefully planning the location and setup of your servers can make a big difference in the life of each piece of equipment, as well as keeping it safe from intruders.