The topic came up regarding how to ensure that your A/V equipment, servers, etc... are properly cooled, and that any A/V cabinet/Server Rooms get proper airflow. In my case, I have a built in wall unit where my A/V equipment is stored. The intention is to keep the cabinet doors where the A/V equipment is closed at all times. Unfortunately though, this has led to some heating issues (the PS3 fan sounds like an airplane, etc...). Since the wall unit is built in, I have limited access to anything except the front of the cabinet. The top of the cabinet had slots/grills built in to allow for better airflow, but it doesn't help if no air is moved in that direction. So the question is, what is the best way to make sure the cabinet stays properly ventilated and cooled?

Also, for anyone who has experience in this, please feel free to add any input on the process or your experience (i.e. How to plan properly if you are looking to build a server room, what to look for when shopping for or building an A/V cabinet, best/quiet products out there, etc...) Once we are done talking about this then the natural progression would be to discuss Wine Cellars and Cigar Rooms


Wall Unit (A/V cabinet at bottom left)


A/V Cabinet


Grills/Slot at the top of the A/V Cabinet

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

In the earlier thread when I asked what was behind the unit I meant as in the room behind the unit. At my house the master closet abuts the fireplace and would allow access through the wall. I was curious if your situation was the same. If so, you could likely gain access that way.

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HP MSS EX490, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300, 1TB System drive, 6TB Storage pool managed by StableBit DrivePool

Unfortunately not, behind that wall is the outside of my house, but I guess that would be the ultimate way to get ventilation, blast a hole through the outside

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

_________________
HP MSS EX490, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300, 1TB System drive, 6TB Storage pool managed by StableBit DrivePool

TXDOT: I had seriously debated the same reply! Got interrupted and forgot to come back to do it! Now you beat me to it!

PERFECT time to use that!

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....JBick

EX475, 2 GB, LE-1640
PC1: Vista-->W7 Ultimate/32, (D-Drive RAID-5 Array)
PC2: Lenovo Laptop, Win XP Home SP3
2xLinksys WRT54G v1.1 and 2xNetGear GS105 Gbit switch

Great minds think alike.

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HP MSS EX490, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300, 1TB System drive, 6TB Storage pool managed by StableBit DrivePool

It's a little hard to tell from the first picture but it looks like there might a hollow area under the front of the cabinet with a decorative treatment. If so, is that open so that it has air ventilation under there? If so, you might consider using postive pressure with a small fan or two located at the bottom to bring air in and to force the hot air out the "louver" at the top. Install some small, quiet fans at the bottom that would pull air in from that area and push it into the cabinet. You will need to either shorten each of the shelves by 3 inches or so to allow airflow behind from top to bottom. The heat will rise from the bottom to the top louvers and the positive pressure created by the fans will force the hot air out the top.

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HP MSS EX490 with Intel E6300
4 GB RAM
7 TB Drive Storage

MediaSmartServer.net Wiki, it's loaded with helpful information about WHS and the HP MediaSmart Server.

...and you will want to make sure to keep the doors CLOSED to get that circulation!

_________________
....JBick

EX475, 2 GB, LE-1640
PC1: Vista-->W7 Ultimate/32, (D-Drive RAID-5 Array)
PC2: Lenovo Laptop, Win XP Home SP3
2xLinksys WRT54G v1.1 and 2xNetGear GS105 Gbit switch

Good point, you are correct, there is a hollow area underneath the cabinet. Looks like I got some planning to do this weekend!!!

And trust me, I try to keep those doors closed at all costs (I have a child proof lock on them). Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin