A small server room does not need to be a data center, but it does need four things done right: power, cooling, redundancy and backups.
Power
Put servers and network equipment on a UPS sized to keep them running long enough to shut down safely. Use separate circuits and label them.
Cooling
Servers produce heat all day, every day. The room needs its own air conditioning that runs around the clock, and a temperature sensor that alerts you before equipment overheats.
Redundancy
Use mirrored disks (RAID) and, for critical systems, redundant power supplies. A single failed disk should never stop the business.
Backups
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with one copy off-site. Test restoring from backup regularly, because a backup that cannot be restored is not a backup.
Access and order
Keep the room locked, tidy and documented. Label every cable and keep a list of equipment, warranties and passwords.
A short checklist
- A UPS and separate circuits.
- Round-the-clock air conditioning and a temperature sensor.
- RAID and redundant power supplies.
- 3-2-1 backups with regular restore tests.
- A locked room and up-to-date documentation.
