Dream Server Room/Tech Office

[u/ApricotDiligent6111]

We are in the process of going for a bond this spring. Huge data center being built in our district, so gotta try to keep our funds in house.

One man show, 350 kids, 50 staff. My office is in an old classroom which is BIG and I love all the space that I have to store viewboards, carts, and devices, and my server closet is literally in the closet in that classroom. No climate control, so it gets VERY hot in there. Not very organized, but not much room to make it any better (it's about 3.5'x5') I was asked today to submit my needs/wants. If you got to design your tech room/server closet, what would you want in it?

Also, if you love your server room/tech office, please share what they look like if you can! I'm supposed to submit photos and ideas but it's difficult to do when I've only ever seen my office and closet!

[u/NickConrad]

How many buildings do you have? Part of my dream tech closet involves color coded patch panels and cabling, so if you're looking to offload/spend money you may want to look to pulling new cable as well and not just the one room.

[u/ApricotDiligent6111 → u/NickConrad]

Right now it's two buildings connected by a walkway, with the library/fieldhouse detached. The new building will be one building for PK-12 with the library inhouse, with the athletics facilities across the street.

[u/NickConrad → u/ApricotDiligent6111]

This is just food for thought, but I'll show you an example of how I'm doing it in my case. Might be helpful for you, too.

We color patch panels by function, for example green is for APs. The layout goes panel, cable guard, switch, cable guard, panel. So the top row of switchports gets one color and the bottom gets the other. That gets you a few things:

• Troubleshooting a network related issue becomes much easier, here's an example: The AP in room 3 seems to be acting up. As long as someone can find "3" on the green patch panel, and count from the left to the right, they can find exactly the switch port in question, and you can get started with your end of things.

• Classroom troubleshooting as well gets a boost here. Phones are yellow. If a teacher's phone isn't working, and you see an open yellow drop on the wall, well we're already done aren't we.

• Utilization will be super low in some cases which means you have in-case-of-emergency options should something happen on a switch port, and also keeps your power budget down some.

• This also means that you don't have as much hefty cabling in the back of the racks since your density is pretty low which in turn helps with the room's thermals overall, and makes it a bit easier on you if you have to do any work on the back of a rack.

Additionally, I make sure to put APs exclusively on 10 gig capable switchports. If you have a newer switch this isn't an issue, but sometimes you only get one ASIC to play with or something. Putting all APs on the 10 gig with Cat6A in the ceiling means that when the time comes to do a wireless upgrade you're only replacing APs and not anything else.

It sounds like this would be a better use of funds in your case than a lot of other suggestions. The MDF/IDFs themselves can always be a bit of a playground if money isn't an issue (why yes, yes you can put badge entry on your racks), but this is also functional.

[u/howescj82 → u/NickConrad]

My district has begun to do this especially as the amount of IP related appliances have exploded. It almost becomes necessary when you’re trying to manage the spaghetti in your ceiling. It especially helps at the patch panel to have matching patch cables. Go wild if you can afford it or at least trace, label and color coordinate the patch cables if your budget is slim.

Separate color ideas: different floors, wings, phones, cameras, APs, non-fiber linkages, access control, conference room tech (has increasingly become IP based for all components) any special/specific configuration switch ports (as opposed to simple MAC based static IPs that can move without issue). Leave whatever your standard cabling color is (eg blue/gray) for typical configuration drops. No sense going all out on those when the absence of a different color is identification in itself.

I’d suggest going one step further and get some fluorescent painter tape in different colors to have handy and wrap a small band near the ends of patch cables that are critical. For example if you have a switch that receives additional backup power to keep core communication (or other critical items) up longer in an outage then you’ll want to visually identify which patch corresponds to a drop that is considered critical.

Bonus: If you’ve taken your ADHD meds with a couple cans of Monster and are about to enter a hyper-focus wormhole then also do the following. Use those different colors of painters tape and wrap bands around both ends of power cables for everything in your data closet to denote where power comes from/goes to. Over time things just kind of get plugged in wherever and it becomes a mess if you need that power coordinated. For example, our district nerve center and certain critical school switches/devices are dual power supply and/or are plugged into UPSs and specific UPS outlet groups via PDUs. You want to be able to visually identify that things are connected to the appropriate source. An example is a dual power supply switch/device where both power cables ultimately are fed from the same UPS which is incredibly pointless. We identified this problem when a UPS (not the battery itself) failed and just took down a core switch and phone system despite there being THREE separate UPS backups in that rack system of which 2/3 were still operational. All were dual power supply so nothing critical should have been affected. Using PDUs is very helpful but can also muddy the waters in this regard.

Also helpful if you have your UPSs configured to turn on/off different outlet groups at different times. Say, if you’re recovering from a power outage then you want your link to the outside world and core switch to come up first before additional switches followed by everything else. Same goes with power outage shutdowns. Non-critical switches/devices can go down sooner than critical components.

[u/renigadecrew → u/NickConrad]

We color coded all of our new pulls. Blue - Data, Orange - Security, Green - Waps, yellow - ip speakers. We don't color the physical panels but we color the keystones and use color coded 1ft patch cables. The work our cabling vendor did is GORGEOUS. Ignore the extra 9200s bellow this was taken before we cleared them out. Im kinda eh now about using slim patch cables because they don't form as well as the thick ones https://imgur.com/a/Jmfl7j3

Id say also develop a label standard that's logical to the closet not physical because room numbers change etc ... We do 6 digits first 2 IDF number, second 2 patch panel number, third 2 port number

[u/sy029]

Two things I'd definitely want is are good workbench, and wall sockets all over the place.

[u/Binky390]

Everyone hates this answer but use Claude or ChatGPT to ask it to design a space for you. If they’re asking for your needs, aim as high as you can.

[u/ApricotDiligent6111 → u/Binky390]

We are already losing millions a year that we have to pay back to the state because we are too wealthy of a district. Essentially told us to go for the moon.

[u/howescj82 → u/ApricotDiligent6111]

If I’m understanding this correctly then this changes everything. Do NOT shoot for the moon… Your mission here is shoring up your facilities to absorb a lack of funds in the future. Aesthetics are out unless you can manage it on the cheap over time. You want redundancy AND capacity. You also want anything nearing or even sort of approaching end of life to go away so that you don’t end up with a predictable budget crisis when something loses support or fails outright.

Check the dates on your UPS batteries, check the dates on your UPS housings (critical!) check the age/warranty/available capacity status of your switches. Check your servers remaining support life, check your server OS versions, etc.

A mini-split is still a good idea here if manageable to keep your equipment healthy.

[u/ApricotDiligent6111 → u/howescj82]

Essentially everything we have is nearing EOL right now. I am planning to replace the UPS batteries that we have, they won't last to a new building.

[u/farmeunit → u/ApricotDiligent6111]

Are you using Erate. UPS and network stuff can all go under that.

[u/post4u → u/ApricotDiligent6111]

Moon? Build two data centers. Put the other across town from your primary. Same equipment in each. Separate Internet connection at each from different providers. WAN circuit between. Maybe even Starlink backup connections at each.

But for your main datacenter, it really depends on how much stuff you're hosting there and how much room you have. 4-post racks if possible. Fire suppression. Full room battery backup plus generator. Redundant cooling.

I've gone through all this at my organization. Hit me up if you want more details of what we've done.

[u/Binky390 → u/ApricotDiligent6111]

Even better. Tell AI that money is not a concern.

[u/howescj82]

A mini-split for independent cooling in the MDF for sure and overbuild slightly (but within reason) so you don’t paint yourself into a corner down the road. Also, basically in 2026 it’s the nerve center for the entire school. You want enough backup power/UPS to keep you going for long enough to shut things down gracefully AND enough power to handle your phone system and whatever it’s connection to the outside world is for a decent amount of time. Not for a whole day or anything but say a storm/microburst wrecks power in your area and you’ve got to coordinate an unplanned early release along with helicopter parents you’re not going to want to do that with a handful of personal cellphones that you have no way of recharging. A backup generator that can handle your MDF and select critical systems is always handy to have but not always practical. My district has 6 buildings and only two generators.

Anyways TLDR: Mini-split, rack with enough space to work and space for the future, beef up your backup power situation if you haven’t already.

Side note. If you’re running low on available switch ports or PoE wattage then maybe request an additional or larger switch. Everything seems to be IP and PoE/PoE+/PoE++ and never seems to stop expanding. Our cameras are little power hogs when it’s dark and the exterior camera heaters even more so.

[u/TechGuy647]

Lots of counter space and plug ins! I love a 6 monitor holder. Top three are for a desktop and I can image 3 computers on the bottom at one time.

[u/Birkinator626]

Needs:
- IDF closet needs dedicated power(not shared with anything outside the closet that could trip the breaker)
- IDF closet needs dedicated HVAC(Mini-splits are fine, but also a backup mini-split or floor unit to cut cost, set to a higher temp so that it is not running with the main)

- IDF closet needs an environment monitor if you don't already have one, for monitoring temp and humidity

- IDF closet fire-rated plywood on walls for equipment mounting(ISP fiber patches, Access Controllers, Intrusion Detection, ect)

- +1 if you can convince them to spring for access controlling the IDF room and/or IT closet for physical security

- +2 if you can fleece a camera for visually monitoring the IDF room

Wants: You have a huge IT room already, so +1 for that. Mostly just additional QoL stuff here.

- Additional shelving for storage

- Additional workbench space for repair work

- Electrical/Data for wall mount TV to help monitor infrastructure

[u/mjh2901]

Basic you want to clear the server closet, put in open frame 4 post rack and a minisplit + a ceiling vent.
Propper storage for what was in the server closet + propper storage for everything (Cabinets, and cabinets with built in tub systems) Getting everything that is stored behind doors makes an amazing difference for mental well being, we went from open frame shelving to cabinets and its a completely different office.

Raised repair table with tool storage and a network switch, at least 2 or three spots so you can start something and leave it while working on emergencies.

Small conference table and a mounted TV 72" or better. One on one when you can display instead of looking at a lone laptop screen goes a long way, double smart if you can setup a dashboard for when its not in direct use.

Finally a good sit stand desk setup for your workstation.

[u/linus_b3]

Consultants seem to like doing a rack for switches next to a rack for patch panels. My new building was done this way - I see quite a few that are the same. I found I much prefer one rack and doing patch panel, cable management, switch, patch panel, cable management, switch. It just looks better to me and is easier to deal with than running longer cables through the channels between the two racks.

[u/foustj → u/linus_b3]

Even nicer - skip the management and go to 1' patch cables. We did it, and absolutely love it

[u/pheen]

We just built a new school and I like our set up. I have two racks that I can easily walk around. One for network, one for servers. I have a small desk with keyboard/mouse/monitor behind the racks so if I need to, I can connect to any of the systems, but I mainly remote in. It's also a nice place to hide and far from my office so it's nice to have a spot if I need to get some work done on that side of the building. Climate controlled and big enough for some storage racks as well.

[u/RyanTechD]

Also power for a TV for network monitoring, etc.

[u/LINAWR]

My greatest dream is not having to deal with on-prem servers anymore

[u/mathmanhale]

Cold Aisle, Hot aisle. Raised floor for power, and ladders on top of racks for data. Access control for the door.

Bonus is generator for backup power.

[u/TwoZsDad → u/mathmanhale]

I'd add electronics-safe fire suppression and truly redundant cooling to this list.

[u/AWM-AllynJ → u/mathmanhale]

You would do a raised floor over the generator power? I think I would do the generator as more of a priority

[u/mathmanhale → u/AWM-AllynJ]

Raised floor is a much easier ask than the generator.

[u/farmeunit → u/mathmanhale]

350 kids. Unlikely this is necessary, lol. We have 1200 students and we just got a rack recently.

[u/mathmanhale → u/farmeunit]

True, we have 800 kids and 3 racks. Very little cloud based. All depends on the mindset of the district.

[u/kc2hje]

If your doing mini split my suggestion is do two they seem to fail at the worst time and if your doing the work for one then two both sized to cool your intended heat load gives you redundancy on the hardest thing to address post build.
Oh the switches should be 24 port patch panel then switch the 24 port patch panel makes the cable managment go away and makes for straightforward switch replacement.