Figure 1: Open Source Server Room Environmental Monitor
The concept behind this project took birth over a highly flexible platform that had multiple applications. The server room environmental monitoring system is a lower cost high performance equipment that comes with almost identical features born by a regular but highly expensive model. Apart from the economic platform where it is built , you will have to bear expense of some low cost sensors that will ensure the safety of this device. The core of this project lies in a sprout board that permits the microcontroller and accessory shield to integrate with it and use all onboard features with lot of ease. You can always purchase one.
Next you will need an Arduino. This world famous platform is the best place where you can learn the basics of microcontrollers for physical world devices. IN this case you will best go with a Arduino Duemilanove. Chips can be obtained from any place, even the old ones will do well, the only catch is these will restrict your working options. Other than that you will have to work on an ethernet shield and a rack mount chassis temperature/humidity board, and a LCD screen. Though the ethernet shield is an optional device it is suggested to use it as it will provide you with a real-time interface for keeping a check over stats and getting alerts in case of exceptions.
The rack mount chassis needs to be of 19-20 inches. In case, your server room is very narrow better go for a wall rack mount chassis. The LCD is also optional but you can have it to get real-time information. You can find all instructions for building the sprout board here. The setup is very simple and you can get all information through this sketch. The default IP is 192.168.0.123 and can be changed easily. You can download the Arduino 0017 Dev environment.
Apart from this, there are several other features that can be added to this project. You can check out all the details here:
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