NY-08-002 -- Monitoring Vibration at a Data Center PDF

This paper presents an overview of typical operational shock and vibration test parameters for datacom and cooling equipment. The test profiles can also be used as the limit or the acceptable vibration levels for data centers. The effect of this shock and vibration to the functional performance of the server depends on how the server transmits this shock and vibration to critical components of the server. The acceptable level of shock and vibration level information normally can be obtained from the datacom manufacturers. However, the actual level of floor vibration in a data center is not readily available. This paper is intended to provide the information on how to record the data and what kind of data is needed to evaluate the effect of vibration to the operational or functional performance of the server. In addition, this paper also informs the data center operator on what vibration data and what magnitude is considered normal or high.