Server housing meets changing network needs

APW Electronics' new dedicated server housing, IMserv, is optimised to meet the requirements of housing the active elements of a LAN: the servers, UPS, hubs and routers.

APW Electronics' new dedicated server housing, IMserv, is optimised to meet the requirements of housing the active elements of a LAN: the servers, UPS, hubs and routers.

Server design is moving in two completely opposite directions: on the one hand, free-standing tower servers are becoming taller and deeper; on the other hand, 1U rack mounted servers, although low profile, are normally very deep.

UPS and their associated battery packs are becoming larger and heavier as hold-up time requirements increase.

As companies increasingly move to Internet-based systems for B2B and B2C E-commerce, high availability is the over-riding requirement.

All application-specific servers - for Web, e-mail, CAD, manufacturing and SOP systems have to be on-line on a 24/7 basis.

Network failure is not an option.

IMserv meets all the needs of the network manager.

It is available as standard in depths of up to 1000mm, enabling even the largest server to be adequately housed; rear cable space and power distribution facilities are optimised.

Security features range from multi-point locking systems through to active electronic control of all doors.

IMserv also continues the "Computer Room in A Rack" concept pioneered by APW with the IMRAK NSR; the functionality is improved and the cost reduced by an average of 15% compared with the model it replaces.

This cost reduction is achieved on the back of a ?6M investment in plant and machinery at the company's facility in Uxbridge, UK, the APW world centre of excellence for large enclosures.

An IMserv or its sister cabling enclosure, IMnet, will roll off the production line every 90 seconds, 24 hours a day.

For high reliability, effective thermal management is the major requirement demanded of a server cabinet.

Many server suppliers specifying very narrow operating temperature bands as a pre-requisite of their warranty package, and as high packaging densities are the norm within the cabinet, adequate airflow is critical.

With large, tightly packed servers, convection airflow is necessarily restricted; the design of the IMserv's doors and internal ducting ensure that front-to-back airflow is optimised to maximise natural cooling.

Dedicated forced ventilation units, heat exchangers and air conditioners are all available if required.

The IMserv can be integrated into the network for remote monitoring and control purposes.

APW's Active Rack Controller unit enables environmental and security monitoring to be undertaken by the network controller; the Fire Protection Unit offers the ultimate security for mission-critical applications and the KVM (Keyboard, Video Mouse) unit enables multiple servers to be managed and configured from a single set of interface devices.

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