Abstract: A cleaning mechanism includes: an airflow control chamber for receiving exhaust air from a cooling fan; a cleaning outlet for outputting the exhaust air to be used for cleaning; a flexible pipe having one end in communication with the cleaning outlet and one free end directable by a user for cleaning; and an activation component for activating a cleaning operation in which the exhaust air is directed through the flexible pipe. The activation component may include a switching mechanism for switching the direction of airflow in the airflow control chamber between the cleaning outlet and an exit out of the computer. The cleaning mechanism may include an airflow accelerator for increasing the airflow to the cleaning outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a data processing system for use in a data center, the data center comprising a plurality of data processing systems. The data processing system comprises one or more sensors measuring air flow and temperature; computational flow dynamics software receiving input from said one or more sensors; and communication apparatus for communicating with others of said plurality of data processing systems. Also disclosed is a method of operating a data processing system for use in a data center, the data center comprising a plurality of data processing systems. The method comprises providing computational flow dynamics software to one or more of said data processing systems; providing communications apparatus to one or more of said data processing systems; the computational flow dynamics software receiving input from one or more sensors measuring air flow and temperature; and the communication apparatus communicating with others of said plurality of data processing systems.

Abstract: A cleaning mechanism includes: an airflow control chamber for receiving exhaust air from a cooling fan; a cleaning outlet for outputting the exhaust air to be used for cleaning; a flexible pipe having one end in communication with the cleaning outlet and one free end directable by a user for cleaning; and an activation component for activating a cleaning operation in which the exhaust air is directed through the flexible pipe. The activation component may include a switching mechanism for switching the direction of airflow in the airflow control chamber between the cleaning outlet and an exit out of the computer. The cleaning mechanism may include an airflow accelerator for increasing the airflow to the cleaning outlet.