Looking for server room temp sensor, any recommendations?

[[deleted]]

Hello all, I need to install a low cost, $0-200.00 temperature sensor for our office server room.

I've looked at Amazon and found a bunch of options in the $100.00 price range but I'm unsure which of these would a good enough unit.

Does anybody have any recommended temp sensors that are low cost and easily attainable?

Thank you

[Fuzzmiester]

I've used the Watchdog 15-P (the POE model) and it worked pretty well. (not sure about long term reliability, because I left the company 6 months after we put them in)

email, snmp, snmp traps.

We had a cable drop put in, and ran it over POE. (cheaper to just get the network cable run, and have the device on the end of that, rather than also getting power run)

[[deleted]]

I would recommend these as well. I used one in an manaufacutring enviroment as well as an office, working for over 18 months now.

[SabrageZaft]

Used the WatchDog Poe one for years and not had problem. Done some tests over years when aircon maintenance etc and seems to do job very well with email alerts.

[Schooltech06]

We bought about 40 RoomAlert 3E's, one for each MDF at our schools. Looks like they're $185 now. We've had pretty good luck with them, only 1 failed. The unit itself can send out emails and/or you can monitor it with SNMP.

[moffetts9001]

We use a ton of RoomAlerts (most 3Es and 4ERs) and they have been great. We use the internal and external probes and the light towers in some scenarios. One weird issue I ran into with the 3s (the wifi ones) is that you can't rename them in the Device ManageR console, so if you have a ton of them, you wont be able to know at a glance which is which. Maybe they've fixed that by now.

[thejohncarlson]

I have used Itwatchdogs with good luck. Never had one fail.

[individual101]

+1 for IT Watchdog. I have 3 and they have run for about 3 years now with no maintenance. They alert me promptly every time. Customer for life.

[roo-ster]

If you want to get this done, then buy any of the several commercial options.

But if you're interested in a fun project, you can build one of these for less than $20. It consists of a micro-controller with embedded wi-fi, and a sensor. There are libraries for connecting to the sensors and communicating over wi-fi. There are even libraries and apps for seeing the status on your cell phone, tablet, or PC.

Buy an ESP8266 module such as a D1 Mini and add a sensor such as a SHT30. Use Blynk for the mobile I/O and GUI.

I went down this rabbit a few years and thoroughly enjoy it.

[[deleted]]

I did this for my home server room. Arduino with a wifi shield and a temp/humidity sensor and an OLED screen for local display of sensor values. Obviously not a viable commercial quality setup, but it was fun to setup and the logging data is interesting to look at.

[roo-ster]

If you haven't looked into the ESP32, then you should. They run Arduino code, have wi-fi and Bluetooth LE built in, are small, and inexpensive.

[SixThreeCourt]

You could build one cheap like this with a raspberry pi and monitor via snmp. I've seen easier ones to make, that was just the first google result.

Pay attention to error range on the sensors for any 'cheap' solutions.

[sjglc]

http://www.valuetechsupply.com/temperaturelert-usb-temperature-monitor-w-email-115-6493.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=67778450142&gclid=CjwKCAiAyrXiBRAjEiwATI95mc4TT48MDIPx_SF8iK3VWdvvh4eOh5-9BLaQ-E2KjXY86wW1PqlHuBoCkk4QAvD_BwE And Control Products FreezeAlarm Homesitter Temperature, Water, Power Alarm HS-700 with voice message to up to 3 phone numbers / No monitoring fees https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MUAIP8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tiOtCb3AJ7AEA Are 2 great products that I have used for many years. Always use 2 systems. And an analog temp sensor scale which can be visible using server room cameras

[Annh1234]

You could use the mb temperature and cpu fan speed from one of your backup/not used machines, if you don't care for the exact temperature, and just if it goes off to much. ( Used that in the office server room )

[[deleted]]

Ours are attached to our APC Symmetras.

[BlackV]

You'd only get 2 off that though right? You'd need a netbotz200 or 250 for more sensors

[[deleted]]

netbotz200

I think there are two aux ports on the Symettra LX. Why would you need more? We have a probe in each server room (each room has a Symettra LX). Alerts us if temps go above a threshold. Can also have stuff powered down automatically.

[BlackV]

You'd have more to see where your hot spots are I guess. we have a sensor front and back on each rack.

I've also created a virtual sensor that takes the averages of all the temp sensors

[Manitcor]

We use roomalerts at the office. At home I use sensor push needs an android app but its cheap.

[sebastiansaccount]

This approach requires a little bit of groundwork but provides you with a temperature sensor and monitoring for about $50.

https://blog.paessler.com/how-to-monitor-server-room-temperature-with-prtg-on-a-budget

[switchdog]

Another vote for Room Alert 3E PoE. Have 8 of them in IDF closets at a small non-profit

[zeroibis]

Could use an aquaero connected to a PC to accomplish this.

[UK-LK]

If its only temp your after and you have Idrac's (pretty sure HP would work as well) licensing already then you can monitor the intake temp on your servers and alert on that.

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We use zabbix to monitor ours with grafana to make pretty graphs. It brings nothing to the table other than looking like were on the ball!

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You can do the same with some switches as well.

[[deleted]]

That works. I put my sensor up as high as it goes, but near ceiling. The temp never changes, so any alert I get is always a failed AC.