Exin CDCS Exam - Topic 3 Question 15 Discussion

Actual exam question for Exin's CDCS exam

Question #: 15
Topic #: 3

[All CDCS Questions]

A 5kW (power consumption) server keeps crashing with the message 'temperature too high'.

The intake temperature is measured at 25 C/77 F and a relative humidity (RH) level of 50%.

The exhaust temperature is 29 C/84 F and 45% RH.

The raised floor is providing an adequate amount of CFM/CMH at a reasonable velocity.

The pressure under the raised floor is approximately 25 Pa/0.1 inch HO.

Analyze the situation and indicate what the most likely cause is for this server to crash.

ADust inside the server causing issues with convection-based heat transfer

BThe exhaust temperature is exceeding the ASHRAE recommended values

CThe raised floor pressure is too low and/or the raised floor tile % opening is not adequate

DNo cause could be determined as the CFM/CMH of the air conditioning equipment is not stated

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: A

The server's repeated overheating despite adequate intake and exhaust temperatures suggests that dust buildup inside the server may be impeding heat transfer. Dust accumulation can obstruct airflow within the server, insulate components, and disrupt the convection-based cooling systems that regulate internal temperatures, leading to overheating and potential hardware failures.

Detailed Explanation:

While the intake and exhaust temperatures appear within acceptable ranges, internal dust can reduce airflow and impede cooling efficiency, causing internal components to overheat despite seemingly normal ambient conditions. Regular cleaning and maintenance are critical for preventing dust-related issues, especially in high-powered equipment like a 5kW server.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI emphasizes regular maintenance to prevent dust buildup in data center equipment. Dust can significantly impact cooling efficiency and lead to overheating, which underlines the importance of routine cleaning for optimal server performance.

by Gail at May 04, 2025, 02:24 AM

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Dominque

4 months ago

The raised floor pressure seems fine to me, not the problem here.

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Emmett

4 months ago

Wait, how can the server crash with those intake temps? Seems off.

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Deja

4 months ago

I think the exhaust temp is too high, definitely not ideal.

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Krissy

4 months ago

I agree, but we need more info on the AC system to be sure.

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Germaine

5 months ago

Sounds like dust buildup could be a real issue.

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Cordelia

5 months ago

I feel like we need more info on the CFM/CMH to really pinpoint the cause; it seems like a missing piece in this scenario.

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Juliana

5 months ago

The raised floor pressure seems low, but I can't recall if that directly affects the server's cooling efficiency.

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Arminda

5 months ago

I think the exhaust temperature might be a problem since it’s close to the upper limit of ASHRAE recommendations.

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Melina

6 months ago

I remember studying about how dust can impact heat transfer, but I'm not sure if that's the main issue here.

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Ronny

6 months ago

Wait, we don't have information on the CFM/CMH of the air conditioning equipment? That seems like a pretty important piece of data. I'm going to have to go with option D.

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Viki

6 months ago

Okay, I think I've got it. The key is that the intake temperature is within the recommended range, so the issue is likely not with the cooling system itself. I'm going to go with option B.

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Brigette

6 months ago

I'm a bit confused by the pressure information. Does that mean the airflow under the raised floor is adequate? I'm not sure if that's enough to rule out option C.

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Carma

6 months ago

The exhaust temperature being higher than the intake temperature is definitely a red flag. I'm leaning towards option B as the culprit.

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Jenelle

6 months ago

Hmm, this seems like a tricky one. I'll need to carefully analyze the temperature and humidity data to figure out the most likely cause.

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Gene

11 months ago

Dust inside the server, huh? That's a classic. Somebody needs to clean out those fans more often. Option A is the way to go!

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Arlyne

11 months ago

I believe the raised floor pressure might also be a factor in this situation.

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Antonio

11 months ago

Hmm, I don't know. Without knowing the CFM/CMH of the air conditioning equipment, it's hard to say for sure what the problem is. Option D seems like the safest bet.

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Olga

10 months ago

User2: The raised floor pressure is too low and/or the raised floor tile % opening is not adequate.

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Cecilia

10 months ago

User1: The exhaust temperature is exceeding the ASHRAE recommended values.

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Elouise

11 months ago

But what about the exhaust temperature being too high?

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Laine

11 months ago

I agree with Ruth, dust can definitely affect heat transfer.

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Lawrence

11 months ago

I'm not so sure. The pressure under the raised floor seems a bit low, and that could be causing issues with air circulation. Option C might be the culprit.

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Diane

10 months ago

User 3: Option C seems like a possible cause then.

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Lenna

10 months ago

User 2: Yeah, that could definitely affect air circulation.

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Desire

11 months ago

User 1: I think the low pressure under the raised floor might be the problem.

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Rosalyn

11 months ago

The exhaust temperature is definitely too high. The ASHRAE guidelines clearly state that the exhaust temperature should not exceed 27°C (81°F). Option B is the correct answer here.

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