Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
When using AV distribution to introduce whole house audio, the cable that powers speakers or amplifiers from
the main server can affect the location of the server, as every meter of cable increases the chance of external noise
affecting the quality of the audio. Also, because this is an analog signal, it will become less powerful if it has to travel
farther. Good-quality cable can minimize this.
Cat5 cable is the best method of getting fast Ethernet throughout the house because it is not susceptible to the
external factors of WiFi or EoP. However, you will need to ensure that you can effectively reach the majority of the
house from your Node0 location. Concrete and structural walls have to be considered since it might not be possible to
run cables through them. You will also want to have as few network switches as possible en route between server and
clients, so the loft or attic might not be the best solution, particularly if you plan on streaming a lot of video to the TV
room downstairs.
Power is a necessary evil of the system, so any room must have enough power (and be connected to suitable
fuses) to allow several hundred watts to be drawn by desktop computers, laptops, lights, and TVs. This is more of an
issue for older houses.
Negative Effects
Computers, even Linux-based ones, aren't immune to everything, and some rooms are naturally more hostile to
electronics than others.
Kitchens, conservatories, cellars, and utility rooms are more prone to moisture and humidity than elsewhere.
The moisture can cause untold damage to a machine when (not if!) it gets inside the PC case and reacts with the
electronics. It should be noted that although humidity isn't a particular problem for the machine in itself, it will
make it sticky, causing it to become a magnet for dust particles that in turn can clog up one of the PC's fans (there are
usually three on most desktop machines: CPU, PSU, and graphics card). The dust can also settle in the various gaps
between circuit boards, such as the PCI/AGP cards, making them inoperable.
Furthermore, the dust can carry moisture, which, in combination with that present in the water vapor, can cause
the various components to rust and degrade, leading to short circuits and general damage. Relative humidity of 45 to
60 percent is generally accepted to be a suitable range, which can be measured with a hygrometer.
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Problems with humidity also occur when there are brusque changes in temperature, such as when a machine
is brought in from the cold. In this case, leave it to naturally reach room temperature before switching on.
Note
Temperature can affect computers to the same detriment as moisture but in different ways. Although most
machines can survive cold temperatures (certainly colder than most humans would be happy living in!), they are not
as happy with hot temperatures—as the number of fans present will testify—and computers will often automatically
shut down if the onboard temperature sensors exceed their limits. This can often eliminate the utility room, and
sometimes the loft or attic, as a suitable location.
Because the only moving parts in a PC (other than the fans) are the hard disks, it can be necessary to consider
their operating temperature. This can vary between drives but is around the 5- to 55-degree Celsius range.
Human Considerations
The computer is moving into your living space, not vice versa, so once you know the physical limits of your chosen
location, you can consider the lifestyle impact of a machine living there. The antisocial elements of PC behavior
include noise, lights, and heat.
The noise from a standard desktop PC comes from its various fans and the clicking and whirring of the hard disk.
Although the fans produce a constant hum that soon disappears into the ambient background noise of your home,
the disks make noise occasionally and can be more annoying. If you are used to sleeping in the same room as a PC,
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