"The Server Overheat Fix (or delay)"
problem: servers exist in a small enclosed room which is air conditioned. When the power fails the air conditioner fails. How do we keep the servers from overheating since they are on battery backups?
solution:
-take a pneumatic screen door ..actuator?... reverse it so that the door OPENS instead of closes
-put an electromagnetic latch on the door
-remove the door knob latch
-connect the electro-magnetic door latch to a thermostat
-connect the thermostat to a phone out dialer
-when the temp in the room reaches 30degrees Celsius, release the door, it opens, and call the CTS employee's phone (mine and a few others) to notify them.
Theory: the servers will have a LARGER room (our offices) to draw from which has a separate air conditioner (which will also be out) but the air will be cooler, and thus give us time to get here and down the servers.
The actuator:
The magnetic latch:
The cable to the thermostat:
The thermostat and dialer:
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"How do we get the Airport on the Network - FIX"
Problem:
The airport is off center and they need network connectivity. The land owners between here and there don't want to let us run cable, and copper wire theft is a major problem in this country.
Solution:
Give them wireless.
Problem:
we can't afford commercial grade wireless
Solution:
Use consumer 802.11(b/g), build a tower, put a high gain antenna on it, and do the same on the other side. Two netgear wireless routers, span the distance of about a mile as the crow files. Maybe a tad less.
(I have no photos of the antenna tower, but you can imagine it, and then add razor wire at the bottom)
New Problem:
there is a line of trees growing and will eventually block the signal.
(can't trim them down until we reach an agreement with land owners)
Issues to remember: a lot of lightning in this area, and if people CAN'T steal it, they will, so everything is located HIGH.
Solution:
Move the antenna 30' higher. (this is an ongoing project)
The server room wireless routers connected to the cable going EXTERNAL to the high gain antenna:
You might be able to tell, that this stuff is FUN. It's fun to conquer a problem and fun to come up with a solution. I thank God every day for the ingenuity he's blessed the people here with. Not a day goes by that I don't see something that makes me say "wow.. what will they think of next!?" It's a place where elbow grease and creativity are survival skills.
