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Are you sufficiently cooling your servers?Today, many businesses rely on servers for their day-to-day operations. If your servers are hosted locally, you should be aware that proper temperature control plays a vital role in keeping them running smoothly. Knowing how to properly cool your servers can help minimize the risk of crashes, which can cause downtime. How does temperature affect […]

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Are you sufficiently cooling your servers?

Today, many businesses rely on servers for their day-to-day operations. If your servers are hosted locally, you should be aware that proper temperature control plays a vital role in keeping them running smoothly. Knowing how to properly cool your servers can help minimize the risk of crashes, which can cause downtime.

How does temperature affect servers?

High server temperatures can cause it to crash, resulting in costly data loss and service interruptions. If a server's temperature rises above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the server's reliability decreases. In fact, an increase of 15 degrees leads to a 50-percent decrease in server reliability. When servers reach these temperatures, they will start to perform poorly, and computers connected to the server will start to struggle as well. Keeping your servers cool is vital to maintain optimal performance and longevity.

Effective methods to keep servers cool

    1. Use low-heat lighting

Incandescent lights produce too much heat that can raise the temperature of your server room. Go for low-heat options such as LED arrays and fluorescent tubes. Not only do they produce less heat, but they also provide better illumination compared to incandescent bulbs.

    1. Ensure your server room is well ventilated

Server rooms are usually small and contain other hardware aside from servers. Without proper air circulation, all that hardware can raise the temperature of the room and your servers. Make sure the server room you choose has good air circulation. If you have no choice but to place your server in a small room, install a ventilation system that will let hot air escape from the room.

    1. Use cooling fans

Cooling fans work well with a ventilation system to move hot air away from your servers. They are also a more affordable option to air conditioners. Placing a small and powerful fan next to your server’s heat vent will keep it from overheating.

    1. Air conditioning system

Installing an air conditioner in your server room is probably the best way to keep servers cool. Make sure that the air conditioner you choose is perfect for your server room. If you have a big server room, a small air conditioner won’t do much to cool it. Also, don’t be tempted to use residential air conditioners, as they are not designed to run 24/7/365. Go for industrial air conditioners instead. They can be a bit costly and require semi-annual maintenance checks, but industrial air conditioners will ensure your servers are constantly operating in cool temperatures.

Servers work best when kept at a cool temperature constantly. While manufacturers continue to build more resilient servers, proper care and maintenance still play a vital role in ensuring high operating quality and longevity. If you need more information about server management or have any other questions about your server setup, contact us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Tips on how to choose the right mouseHave you been feeling some discomfort in your mouse-clicking hand lately? Have you been using that mouse for several years now? If you have, then it’s time to consider a computer mouse upgrade. Your mouse should allow you to work safely with ease and efficiency. If you’re looking to buy a new mouse, keep the […]

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Tips on how to choose the right mouse

Have you been feeling some discomfort in your mouse-clicking hand lately? Have you been using that mouse for several years now? If you have, then it’s time to consider a computer mouse upgrade. Your mouse should allow you to work safely with ease and efficiency. If you’re looking to buy a new mouse, keep the following in mind.

Cable or wireless?

When planning to purchase a new mouse, it’s important to consider whether to get a wired or a wireless mouse. A wireless mouse is generally more comfortable to use since your range of movement isn’t limited by a cable, and it’s usually travel friendly. However, a wireless mouse can be less responsive, making it frustrating to use at times. Sometimes, a wireless mouse can also interfere with other wireless devices nearby. Using it requires batteries, which can create problems when they run out of juice. And if you use the same mouse for both work and home, you run the risk of losing the tiny USB receiver for your wireless mouse when you travel.

On the other hand, a wired mouse is cheaper and easy to plug and play. The only problem you’ll have to worry about is dealing with tangled wires. So when you’re deciding on a new mouse, think about whether you’re looking for comfort or convenience.

Ergonomics matters

You’re going to be using the new mouse for a while, so it’s important to choose one that feels comfortable in your hands. When deciding on the right mouse, focus on the size and the grip of the device. The size of the mouse usually comes down to hand size. For example, someone with smaller hands will find a larger mouse quite unwieldy.

Certain mice can also accommodate different types of grips — fingertip grip, palm grip, and claw grip. Users who want high-precision control of their cursor should opt for a mouse with fingertip grip, those needing comfort should get a palm grip mouse, and if you want both control and comfort, the claw grip mouse is the way to go.

DPI (dots per inch)

Higher sensitivity is necessary for precise mouse movements, especially if you’re editing images, videos, or audio files. A mouse with 1200 DPI or greater guarantees finer, sharper control.

Although mouse specifications like DPI might be the last thing on your mind when it comes to buying new hardware, your comfort is important. A good mouse with the right fit can make you more efficient and reduce the risk of injury.

If you need assistance setting up the best hardware for your company, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll be happy to help.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Perks of using dual monitorsWhile dual monitor setups aren’t as popular as single monitor setups, you should consider working with two screens since doing so has a lot of advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of dual monitors. Enhanced productivity A survey by Jon Peddie Research shows that working with dual monitors increases overall productivity […]

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Perks of using dual monitors

While dual monitor setups aren’t as popular as single monitor setups, you should consider working with two screens since doing so has a lot of advantages. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of dual monitors.

Enhanced productivity

A survey by Jon Peddie Research shows that working with dual monitors increases overall productivity by 20–30%. Computer programmers, for example, can use one screen for source coding and the other for programming. By using dual monitors, they no longer need to toggle back and forth between tabs. This frees up time to complete more projects.

Better multitasking

Efficient multitasking requires adequate screen space to keep multiple applications simultaneously visible — a view that single monitors alone simply cannot accommodate. With a dual monitor setup, workers like customer service reps and web designers would no longer waste time scrolling up and down and resizing windows to fit the limited space. Instead, the enhanced visibility that dual monitors bring lets them focus on completing their tasks accurately and efficiently.

Easier layouting and image and video editing

With dual monitors, the days of stacking numerous editing tools on top of the newsletter, slide presentation, image, or video you’re working on are long gone. Instead of your screen looking like a game of Mahjong, you can position the editing tools on one screen and use the other monitor for the file you’re working on. With better visibility, you’re less likely to commit errors and more likely to accomplish the task faster.

Effortless product comparison

Imagine that you want to buy a camera, and you have two models in mind. Of course you want to look up and compare their specs before making a final decision.

If you had only one monitor, you’d need to go back and forth from one tab to another. But if you had two monitors, you could view the models side by side to help you clearly see their differences and make an informed purchase.

Want a dual monitor setup for your employees? We can help you roll it out. Contact us today to get started.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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How to extend your laptop battery lifeOne of the top considerations in choosing where to work with your laptop is the availability of a power socket. If you are not lucky enough to find an available outlet, you’ll have to depend on your laptop’s battery — assuming it still has enough power after your last charge. The following tips should optimize […]

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How to extend your laptop battery life

One of the top considerations in choosing where to work with your laptop is the availability of a power socket. If you are not lucky enough to find an available outlet, you’ll have to depend on your laptop’s battery — assuming it still has enough power after your last charge. The following tips should optimize your laptop battery life so your device can last long enough for you to complete your tasks.

Some truths about your laptop battery

Most modern devices use lithium-based batteries that get damaged when they’re completely drained. But if your laptop uses an older type of battery that’s not made of lithium-ion or lithium-polymer, it's best to let it discharge completely before recharging it.

Laptop batteries also have limited life spans. So no matter what you do, yours will age from the very first time you charge it. This is because as time passes, the ions in your battery will become less efficient in flowing from the anode to the cathode, thereby reducing your battery’s capacity.

What else can degrade your laptop battery?

Besides being naturally prone to deterioration, your battery can degrade due to higher-than-normal voltages, which may happen when you keep your battery fully charged at all times. Even though a modern laptop battery cannot be overcharged, it will be damaged if you leave your laptop plugged in all the time.

Both extremely high temperatures (above 70°F) and low temperatures (32–41°F) can also reduce battery capacity and damage components. The same goes for storing a battery for long periods of time, which can lead to extreme discharge.

Another factor that can affect laptop battery life is physical damage. Remember that batteries are made of sensitive materials, and a shock from a fall or a similar incident can damage them.

How can you prolong your laptop battery life?

Now that you know some facts about your laptop battery, it’s time to learn how to delay its demise:

  • Never leave your battery completely drained.
  • Don’t expose your battery to extremely high or low temperatures.
  • If possible, charge your battery at a lower voltage.
  • If you need to use your laptop for a long period of time while it’s plugged into a power source, it’s best if you remove the battery from your device so it runs just like a desktop. This may not be applicable to newer laptop models that have built-in, non-removable batteries, however.
  • When you need to store your battery for a few weeks, you should recharge your battery to 40% and, if possible, remove it from your laptop for storage.

These are just a few tips on extending the life of your hardware. There are many more ways you can maximize hardware efficiency and extend longevity. Call our experts today to find out more!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post How to extend your laptop battery life appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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