====== Power and Cooling =====

Ensure reliable 24/7 operation with proper power and cooling.

> //Always-on servers need stable power and adequate cooling to prevent failures.//

===== Overview =====

Power and cooling are critical for reliable 24/7 server operation. Inadequate power leads to data corruption and crashes, while poor cooling causes throttling and reduced hardware lifespan.

===== Power Considerations =====

**Power consumption estimates:**
  * Raspberry Pi 5: 3-5W idle, 8-12W under load
  * Raspberry Pi 4: 2-6W idle, 6-7W under load
  * Old laptop: 15-30W idle, 30-60W under load
  * Desktop: 40-80W idle, 100-200W under load
  * Intel N100 mini PC: 6-8W idle, 15-25W under load

**Monthly cost calculation:**
  * At $0.12/kWh, a 20W device costs ~$1.75/month
  * Raspberry Pi 5 costs ~$0.30-0.60/month
  * Old laptop costs ~$1.30-2.60/month
  * Desktop costs ~$3.50-17.50/month

**UPS considerations:**
  * Battery backup recommended for areas with unstable power
  * Old laptop battery provides built-in UPS functionality
  * Small UPS (~$50) can protect desktop servers
  * Graceful shutdown scripts prevent data corruption
  * UPS should provide at least 5-10 minutes of runtime

===== Cooling Solutions =====

**Importance of cooling:**
  * 24/7 operation generates constant heat
  * Overheating causes CPU throttling and reduced performance
  * Excessive heat shortens hardware lifespan
  * Dust buildup reduces cooling efficiency over time

**Cooling strategies:**
  * Ensure adequate ventilation around device
  * Clean dust from fans and heatsinks regularly
  * Consider active cooling for enclosed spaces
  * Monitor CPU temperature with tools like `htop` or `sensors`
  * Replace thermal paste on old hardware

**Placement considerations:**
  * Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources
  * Don't stack devices on top of each other
  * Allow at least 2 inches of clearance on all sides
  * Consider ambient temperature of the room
  * Avoid placing in enclosed cabinets without ventilation

===== Temperature Monitoring =====

**Linux tools:**
  * `sensors`: Display temperature readings
  * `htop`: Show CPU usage and temperature
  * `vcgencmd measure_temp`: Raspberry Pi specific

**Warning signs:**
  * Constant fan noise at high speed
  * System slowdowns or crashes
  * Error messages about temperature
  * Physical heat from device casing

===== Power Management =====

**BIOS/UEFI settings:**
  * Disable sleep mode and hibernation
  * Set power-on after power failure
  * Disable C-states if experiencing instability
  * Enable wake-on-LAN if needed

**Operating system settings:**
  * Disable screen timeout and blanking
  * Disable automatic suspend
  * Configure power management settings
  * Set lid close action to "do nothing" for laptops

===== See Also =====

  * [[hosting:hardware:start|Hardware Overview]]
  * [[hosting:hardware:old_laptops|Old Laptops and Desktops]]
  * [[hosting:hardware:raspberry_pi|Raspberry Pi]]

Last updated: 2026-06-19
  * [[hosting:start|Return to hosting]]