Method of selectively enhancing the cooling of components of a server through variable airflow impedance

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• non-transitory computer readable storage media storing code, the code being executable by the processor to perform operations comprising:
• determining that a first component of a server can benefit from increased airflow compared to a second component that is adjacent to the first component;
• and
• moving a screen in an airflow to the second component, the screen moved into a position in which an increased surface area thereof is within the airflow to the second component,
• wherein the airflow to the second component and an airflow to the first component are provided by one or more fans directing the airflow toward the second component and the first component, respectively, and
• wherein moving the screen into the airflow to the second component increases a volumetric flow rate of the airflow to the first component.

A computing device comprising:

• one or more fans;
• a processor;
• a plurality of memory cards;
• and
• non-transitory computer readable storage media storing code, the code being executable by the processor to perform operations comprising:
• determining that the processor can benefit from increased airflow compared to the plurality of memory cards that are adjacent to the processor;
• and
• moving, by use of the processor, one or more screens in an airflow to the plurality of memory cards, the one or more screens moved into a position in which an increased surface area thereof is within the airflow to the plurality of memory cards,
• wherein the airflow is provided by the one or more fans directing airflow toward the processor and the plurality of memory cards, and
• wherein moving the one or more screens into the airflow to the plurality of memory cards increases a volumetric flow rate of the airflow to the processor.