One way to prevent unplanned outages is to ensure that the space
where you put your system promotes availability. Many physical and environmental
factors contribute to how your system performs.
The first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with your server.
Different system models have different requirements with regard to the conditions
they are in, so you should be aware of what your system needs. For more information
on the physical characteristics of each model, see Server
specifications. For information on the physical characteristics of
the hardware that you can attach to your server, see Hardware specification sheets.
Once you are familiar with the physical characteristics of your server,
be sure to consider the following about the space where it resides:
- Location. The physical location of your server
can have an impact on how available it is. For example, if the room is not
secure, your system could be vulnerable to vandalism or even someone accidentally
dislodging the power cord. For more details on what precautions you should
take with regard to your server's location, see Physical
site planning: Site selection, building and space considerations.
- Cables. Cables are often overlooked, but without
them your system would be unusable. You need to ensure that your cables are
in good condition and are being used correctly. For more information on how
to ensure that your cables do the job you need them to do, see General cabling considerations.
- Environment. The environment you provide for your
server is also crucial to availability. The environment includes such things
as temperature, humidity, and other factors that can inhibit the performance
of your server. For more detailed information on the environment you need
to provide for your server, see Physical
site planning: Site environment, safety, and security.