StorageReview IT Helpdesk

Being an administrator of any kind is hard. I don’t care if it is virtualization, storage, networking, or supporting the dweebs in app development, there are always problems and it’s always the administrator’s fault. Couple this with the classic “do more with less” mantra your idiot CTO bellows between bourbons and the return to office surge that’s upon us now, and being an IT admin can be tough. When your constituents have problems, they turn to the helpdesk. But where do haggard IT professionals go when they need help?

Being an administrator of any kind is hard. I don’t care if it is virtualization, storage, networking, or supporting the dweebs in app development, there are always problems and it’s always the administrator’s fault. Couple this with the classic “do more with less” mantra your idiot CTO bellows between bourbons and the return to office surge that’s upon us now, and being an IT admin can be tough. When your constituents have problems, they turn to the helpdesk. But where do haggard IT professionals go when they need help?

We feel the pain of administrators. In the StorageReview lab, we’re always sent gear that’s designed to be “quick and easy.” The number of “setup in 15 minutes” arrays and clusters we’ve received that took hours or days to configure is measurable. Then there’s the whole maintenance of systems during our testing and dealing with perpetual performance problems. And we don’t run much production-grade infrastructure.

What if there were a hardware solution though to help IT admins get a little support of their own during these difficult times? Enter in the StorageReview IT Helpdesk or for IT admins on the go, the portable BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer.

StorageReview IT Helpdesk

For IT admin’s stuck in the datacenter we handcrafted the StorageReview IT Helpdesk. We started by looking for the perfect solution, alas one did not exist. So we gathered the brightest minds at StorageReview to build our own solution. Here’s how it’s made.

The heart of the StorageReview IT Helpdesk is a 6U lockable rack drawer, giving us the optimal ratio of storage capacity to incognito factor. Too small and almost nothing will fit inside, too large and it will be immediately found by others. This design also offered a large tub that could be easily sealed up so water won’t leak out onto your expensive all-flash array, server, or battery backup.

For insulation, we used close-cell 1″ rigid foam to line the compartment to help keep the beverages cool and add another layer of waterproofing.

Since we aren’t completely insane, everything has been completely sealed with polyurethane sealant. First the metal drawer, all seams, and rivet holes. Once that was dry, we added the foam and sealed all edges of the foam, including the top edge so no water could leak through that layer. I can’t stress how much thought and consideration went into this project, nor how expensive the hardware is directly under the Helpdesk.

Without too much work, the StorageReview IT Helpdesk was crafted in a few hours, using some off-the-shelf parts and supplies from Home Depot. All in we were under $150 in supplies.

BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer P15

Not all IT admins are located in a data center, some might be located out in the field. For individuals in that group, we’ve located an off-the-shelf option that fits in the back of a work truck or transport vehicle. The BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer is a compact 15-liter portable fridge/freezer that has an operating temperature range of -4-68F, and capable of operating 12/24V, 120V, or optional batteries. This isn’t a Peltier-chip based cooler, but one equipped with a compressor to reach and maintain sub-zero temperatures.

The size is very compact, able to hold a day or two worth of beverages depending on how much “Helpdesk” help is needed out in the field. While the sizing might initially seem too small when compared to a traditional cooler that requires ice to maintain its temperature, all of the internal volume can be dedicated to food or drinks inside this unit.

The controls are easy to use, with physical buttons and a display to set or view the temperature of the unit. It also has Bluetooth connectivity for some advanced settings through an app. Besides the obvious temperature, the settings are pretty basic.

You can switch between eco and max power modes for power conservation and for vehicle usage set voltage cutoff limits so the truck still starts after those long-haul deployments. Noise during operation is minimal, staying completely in the background without drawing attention to itself.

The BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer offers three ways to power itself. It includes both an AC adapter and car power socket adapter. Being rated for 12/24V conditions gives it some flexibility. We enjoyed using the DC power plug with a portable power station for extensive runtime. The unit also supports optional integrated battery packs, although we didn’t receive those for testing. Instead, we used the two battery bays to store additional snacks.

At the time of this article, the BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer has a street price of $359.

BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer P15 Specifications

Final Thoughts

For IT admins in a data center, the StorageReview IT Helpdesk is a fun way to blow off some steam and enjoy some fun in a data center. Yes, it might also strike fear into the hearts of IT admins when they calculate the cost of all that equipment under a pile of ice, but can you really put a price on happiness?

For those who want a similar experience without job liability, there are some other great options. The BODEGAcooler Mini 12V Portable Freezer P15 offers similar capacity, without the need for ice. It can get down to temperatures as low as -4F, and operate off almost all lab or remote voltages like 110-240V AC or 12/24V DC. This allows it to operate just fine in any data center that you can sneak it into or a remote work site. It also fits excellently underneath a desk.

Whatever your need, we’ve got you covered at StorageReview when it comes to “optimizing” your IT needs.

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