Computer room layout
Effective computer room layout is dependent on several important factors.
Service clearance and floor loading
A minimum amount of space is needed around each piece of equipment that you plan to install. Keep this space clear in case service must be performed on that equipment. Beyond keeping a clear area around the equipment, it is advisable that traffic patterns for work flow do not fall in service clearance boundaries. Do not allow the service clearance areas to be used for temporary or permanent storage. Exact clearance dimensions are supplied with the individual product specifications.
Generally, floor loading areas fall inside the service clearance boundaries. Consult individual product planning documentation and your seller for specific information about the equipment that you are planning to install. If you have not yet done so, review floor loading, weight distribution, service clearance, and machine area.
Physical and logical priority
Some types of peripheral equipment might require physical or logical positioning in relation to the processor or other equipment that might dictate where that equipment must be placed on the floor. Consult individual product planning documentation and your seller to determine if equipment that you are planning to install must be specifically placed. Such equipment should be situated in your floor layout diagrams first, before other equipment that does not require precise positioning.
Restrictive cable lengths
As computing power increases, cable lengths might decrease to support improvements in processing speed. Consult product-specific planning documentation and your seller to determine where cable lengths will enable you to place each piece of equipment on your floor. Review cabling and connectivity, especially if you are using Integrated Cluster Bus (ICB) cables.
Practical work space and safety
Ensure that there is enough room around equipment for normal movement of work flow. Consider the placement of equipment in relation to entrances and exits, windows, columns, wall-mounted equipment, such as circuit breaker boxes and electrical outlets, safety equipment, fire extinguishers, storage areas, and furniture. Be especially careful to allow easy access to things like the emergency power-off controls, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and under-floor or in-ceiling fire extinguishing systems.
If possible, make plans now to allow for future additional equipment. Plan cable routing and system locations to make it easy for additional units to be added.
Other equipment
In addition to the information technology equipment that you are installing, ensure that there is enough space for office furniture and equipment, power and air conditioning, storage for operating supplies, and miscellaneous considerations, such as a meeting area, vending machine location, or water fountains.
Prepare scale drawings of your proposed layout and have them reviewed by both your seller and all service providers to ensure that your floor layout is physically capable and practically useful. The following chart explains standard symbols used to create floor layouts.
