Noise Reduction in the
Data Center & Office
Processing Facilities
Data Center Noise
“Consolidation and denser equipment
make for noisier data centers.”
Computer World (2007)
In 2001, the World Health Organization published revised guidelines for Community Noise in which it recommends
a 70 dB (A) noise level limit for commercial areas. It is worth noting that the combined noise level of just eight
low form factor servers operating with average CPU loads would be approximately 74 dB (A).
Demand for quiet racks is growing in these
sectors;
Audio Visual/Graphic Design
Studios

Decision makers respond well to the
following triggers;
Efficiency / Green / Reduced Energy
Education, Schools and Universities,
Libraries
Direct comparison between the
huge cost (both upfront and
ongoing) and inflexibility of a
dedicated Computer Room.
SOHO sector
Desire to be leading edge
Large Enterprise / Government
Facilities with satellite/branch Cloud
Deployments
Improving the Working
Environment
Niche requirements: Healthcare
Clinics, Ships, Marketing Exhibits
Justifiable ROI
What is Noise?
Is a sound that is noticeably unpleasant
Any sound that is undesired or interferes
with one’s hearing of something
Merriam-Webster.com (2011)
What Does dB(A) Mean?
Decibel (dB) is a measurement of Sound Pressure
Level (SPL)
Sound Pressure Level is the physical intensity of sound
The (A) after the dB refers to an ‘A weighting’. This
weighting gives more significance to audible sound
frequencies and therefore attempts to reflect sound
levels as they are experience by a human ear.
How Loud is Loud?
60 dB(A) - A normal office conversation
70 dB(A) – A Vacuum Cleaner
77 dB(A) – A Passenger Car @ 65 mph
80 dB(A) – Garbage Disposal
90 dB(A) – Power Lawn Mower
140 dB(A) - Jet Engine at takeoff
Data Center Equipment Noise
70dB(A) - Sun Fire X2270 M2 Server
72dB(A) – IBM 8852 BladeCenter H
(Performance Mode, Enhanced Blowers)
66dB(A) – IBM 8852 BladeCenter H
(Performance Mode, Original Blowers)
71dB(A) – Dell PowerEdge 6800
Ratings based on single unit. SPL increases approximately 3dB(A)
for each additional unit added to the environment.
Data Center Equipment Noise
Several Studies have shown that noise
levels within Data Centers vary from
68dB(A) to 80dB(A).
Size of facility, amount of equipment,
type of cooling systems all have an
impact on the noise levels.
Considerations
Workplace Regulations
The Human Effects
Cost to Business
Workplace Regulations
When an employee is exposed to noise
levels of at least 85dB(A) for a period of 8
hours or more, employers must implement
programs to monitor the environment and
provide employees with hearing protection.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
The Human Effects
Hearing Impairment
Interferences with Spoken Communication
Cardiovascular Disturbances
Mental Health Disturbances
Impaired Task Performance
Annoyance Reactions
World Health Organization
Hearing Impairment
Exposure to constant sound levels above
85dB(A) is potentially hazardous and can be
a main contributor to hearing loss.
Interference With Spoken
Communication
Noise at increased levels interferes with the
ability to comprehend normal speech.
Decreased working capacity and stress
reactions can also occur.
Cardiovascular Disturbances
Daily exposure to noises above 65dB(A) can
trigger nervous system responses that
affect the cardiovascular system leading to
hypertension, increased blood pressure and
increased heart rates.
Mental Health Disturbances
Noise may cause or contribute to effects like
anxiety, stress, headaches and changes in
mood.
Impaired Task Performances
Noise can impair task performance at work,
increasing errors and decreasing motivation.
Reading attention, problem solving, and
memory are strongly affected by noise.
Annoyance Reactions
Sound levels above 45dB(A) can produce
annoyance reactions in a significant number
of people.
Cost to Business
Employee Productivity
Health Insurance
Workman’s Compensation Claims
Government Regulations
Possible Solutions
Hearing Protection
Lights-Out Operations
Specialized Server Enclosures
World Health Organization
Hearing Protection
Low cost, quick to implement
Does not reduce noise in workplace
Temporary Solution
Lights-Out Operations
Provides reduced exposure for employees
Difficult and costly to implement
Does not reduce noise in workplace
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures
Reduces noise of data center equipment
(from 14 to 30dB(A) reduction)
Immediate installation, no construction costs
Addresses equipment thermals, potentially
decreasing cooling costs
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures
Offers alternative to dedicated server room
100% Portable
Scalable
Use of ambient air for cooling
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures
Use of high density foam designed to attenuate
the specific frequencies of server noise
Designed to minimize sound leakage at cable
access points
Use of fan systems to facilitate proper thermal
dissipation using ambient air
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures
Attractive appearances to fit most
workplace environments
Provides secure environment for
sensitive equipment
Designed with operational cost-savings
in mind
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures: UCOUSTIC
28.5 dB(A) Noise Reduction
Thermal Dissipation of 7.2kW
Energy Efficient
Available in 12u, 24u and 42u sizes
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures: UCOUSTIC
Premium Wood Option
28.5 dB(A) Noise Reduction
Thermal Dissipation of 7.2kW
Energy Efficient
Available in: Oak, Maple,
Beech, Cherry, Ash, Walnut,
Mahogany for 12u, 24u and
42u sizes
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures: AcoustiRACK Active
Up to 30 dB(A) Noise Reduction using Active Noise Cancellation
Technology
Thermal Dissipation of 8kW
Glass Front Door
Available in 15u and 33u sizes
Active Silencer Fan Tray™(ASFT™)
AcoustiRACK ACTIVE is an alliance partner in HP BladeSystem
Solution Builder Program and for Intel Modular Servers supporting
Active Noise Control Enclosure Solutions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ExBkpLJmpM&feature=related
Specialized Acoustic Server
Enclosures: AcoustiQuiet
20.7 dB(A) Noise Reduction
Thermal Dissipation up to 3kW
Built for the Budget conscious CostEffective
Available in a variety of sizes & Depths
24U, 35U & 44U – (36” & 42” deep)
Specialized Acoustic Server Enclosures:
AcoustiQuiet Mini Cabinet
14 dB(A) Noise Reduction
Thermal Dissipation
9u (1.2KW) & 12u (1.5KW)
Cost-Effective, SOHO applications
Available in 9u & 12u
Acoustic Server Enclosure Applications
Isolation of loud servers in existing data center
rooms / NOC (network operation centers)
Laboratories /Libraries / Broadcast & Sound
Studios
Classrooms / Lecture Halls /Training Rooms
Medical Offices & Clinics / Hospitals
Boardrooms / Public Safety Facilities
Acoustic Server Enclosure Applications
Open Office Environments
Alternative to data room build-out in smaller
satellite offices / Branch Offices
Environments with limited space / rented space
Future Relocation / Temporary IT Moves
Workspaces where cooling options are limited
Deployment Considerations
Budgets
Available Floor Space
Electrical Requirements and Consumption
HVAC Requirements
Deployment Timeline
Scalability
Portability
ROI Scenarios
Mkt. Research Firm, Mid Atlantic US
A-V Studio, Los Angeles CA
Not building a server room saved:
Total Savings Over 3 Years: $119,817
Not building a server room saved:
Total Savings Over 3 Years: $91,443
Savings Breakdown:
Rental Cost Per Year: $18,720
AC Running Cost Per Year: $4,719
Room Conversion Cost: $49,500
Savings Breakdown:
Rental Cost Per Year: $13,520
AC Running Cost Per Year: $5,961
Room Conversion Cost: $33,000
Equipment Deployed:
• 3 x Cisco Catalyst Gb PoE Switches
• 6 x Switches
• 3 fibre panels
• 1 x UPS
Equipment Deployed:
• 2 x XServe (Dual Processor)
• 1 x Telephone System
• 2 x File Servers
• 10 x Render Nodes
Approx Max Thermal Load: 8kW
Quiet Rack Solution*: 3 x 42U racks
Quiet Rack Purchase Price: $16,000
Approx Max Thermal Load: 10kW
Quiet Rack Solution: 2 x 12U
Quiet Rack Purchase Price: $9,000
ROI Scenarios
Medium Size Enterprise, Chicago Metro
Private Middle School, North East US
Not building a server room saved:
Total Savings Over 3 Years: $55,020
Not building a server room saved:
Total Savings Over 3 Years: $45,906
Savings Breakdown:
Rental Cost Per Year: $8,700
AC. Running Cost Per Year: $1,390
Room Conversion Cost: $24,750
Savings Breakdown:
Rental Cost Per Year: $4,355
AC. Running Cost Per Year: $2,697
Room Conversion Cost: $24,750
Equipment Deployed:
• 2 x PoE Switches
• 2 x Tower Server (Single Processor)
• 3 x Servers (5 Processors in Total)
• 2 x NAS boxes
• 1 x UPS
Equipment Deployed:
• 5 x mini desktops
• 5 x Dual Processor Servers
• 1 x fully populated RAID
• 2 x Switches
• 1 x Firewall & 1 x UPS
Approx Max Thermal Load: 2kW
Quiet Rack Solution*: 1 x 24U rack
Quiet Rack Purchase Price: $4,900
Approx Max Thermal Load: 4kW
Quiet Rack Solution*: 1 x 42U rack
Quiet Rack Purchase Price: $8,300
Helpful URL’s
http://usrackdistributors.com/dealers/dealers.asp
US Rack Distributors Password protected Dealer Web Page
USER NAME: dealers ; Pass Word: USRD2010!
http://usrackdistributors.com/noise-reduction.asp
Demonstrating dB(A) Noise Reduction Effect
http://www.quiet-rack.com/
Industry Forum Web Page
Noise Reduction in the Data Center
As OSHA tightens down on undue noise in the work place, in the
Data Centers, or at processing facilities, driving workers
compensation insurance claims against the enterprise, we offer
practical solutions. Our Soundproof Rack Server Cabinets help
mitigate the incessant Noise caused by the proliferation of
Servers, Network Elements and AV Electronics, even while
optimizing power consumption efficiencies. Quiet Server Rack
Cabinet Deployments can resolve noise pollution, increase energy
efficiency, and reduce costs.
QUESTIONS?