There are three environmental considerations to think about when purchasing a cluster:  how much power will it require, how much air conditioning will it need to keep cool, and where is it going to be housed.

Power and electricity

When purchasing a cluster it is easy to get caught up in how fast it will be, how many machines will you get, but without adequate electrical facilities, the fastest most powerful cluster is just a bunch of expensive metal boxes. Power should be a fore thought and not an after thought. Most end-users do not have an unlimited amount of power, thus it's important to know what you have and/or how much you can get before configuring a new system.

Knowing basic power information can save you time and money. There is nothing more frustrating than receiving a cluster and not being able to plug it in, because the power hasn't been installed or the plugs were the incorrect style or amperage. Also, if you can have larger amperage receptacles or even 3 phase power installed, fewer power distribution units can be used. This can save hundreds and in some instances thousands of dollars.

Cooling / HVAC

Heat is the enemy of every computer! To ensure optimal performance of your cluster adequate cooling must be provided.  Advanced Clustering recommends that all systems be kept between 68°F-72°F and not to exceed 78°F.

Cooling measurements

Heat is measured in British Thermal Units per hour or BTU.

• 1 watt is approximately 3.4 BTU/h
  
• 1000 BTU/h is approximately 293 W

Air conditioning capacity is measured in tons.

• 12,000 BTU/h is equal to 1 ton in most North American air conditioning applications

Space to house your cluster

Most personal office space is not a suitable place for a cluster.  Generally, the power and air conditioning are not adequate, and unless built to be low noise, the cluster will be too loud to sit near for an extended amount of time.  Imagine 32 hair dryers running at one time and you will have a fairly accurate idea of the noise and heat produced! If possible housing your Apex Cluster in a computer lab, or computing center would be ideal.  We understand that this is not always possible, and we will work with you to help determine any room alterations that may need to be made.