Modeling Computer Data Center Noise in Odeon

Modern computer data centers are facing an increasing number of rack servers within rooms that contain employee desks and workstations. As the quantity of servers increases, the noise levels approach and can potentially exceed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) noise exposure level limits for employees. This set of computer simulations modeled rack servers using sound power and directivity data obtained from actual servers. Using ODEON, an acoustical modeling software package that utilizes ray tracing, sound pressure level distributions were calculated while adjusting the quantity of servers, position of servers, and absorption characteristics of the room’s surfaces. The results confirmed that levels in the aisle ways of server rooms can reach or exceed the 85 dBA (re: 20μPa) OSHA Action Level. Furthermore, simulations involving moving the position of the servers in the room did not provide a viable option to reduce exposure levels within the vicinity of the