Hi everyone! I'm on the hunt for a more effective way to monitor temperature and humidity in my datacenter. Right now, I'm using Watchman and MySpool since they're affordable and send alerts via SMS and email. I'm curious to know what solutions or systems you all are using to keep an eye on these conditions. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
APC has some solid options, like their NETBOTZ rack device. It’s IP based and can send you email and SNMP alerts. It supports a range of wired and wireless sensors for temperature, humidity, smoke, and more. Just keep in mind, it can get pricey, especially with added sensors.
At a previous job, we just used some inexpensive Amazon sensors that connected to our phones. They weren't perfect, but they did the job within our budget. Plus, we managed to integrate them into HomeKit for better alerts and logging!
That's a smart workaround! I’m thinking about using a Raspberry Pi with some cheap sensors for email alerts. SMS messaging might be a challenge, though.
I've used the APC Netbotz at my last job, and it's what I plan to use again at my current place. Sure, it can be on the expensive side, but it’s super reliable. Their newer cloud monitoring system is a huge step up from the old java-based version they had, which was a bit clunky.
That’s good to know! Though honestly, the NetBotz is way beyond my budget this year—I'm stuck with just a dollar, a gum stick, and pocket lint to work with!
Are you monitoring an entire datacenter or just a smaller room with a few racks? If it's the latter and you're on a tight budget, it might help to clarify what problems you're having with your current setup.
In my experience with food manufacturing, we integrate temperature monitoring into our PLC/SCADA systems for refrigeration control. It works well for us, and we use Smartsights to alert us when there's an issue. You might want to consider a similar approach depending on your requirements!
This sounds like it could work for me. I appreciate the suggestion!
I checked the APC NetBotz 250A, but it’s a bit rich for my budget—around $600 plus extras!