The cooling of data centers is a new business. Data streaming and storage have been a commercial need since before the worldwide COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. We have increasingly relied on data-driven services to power our work and daily lives. Data centers are heating up quicker than ever and require sophisticated cooling.
What exactly is a data center? Why do so many businesses utilize data center cooling solutions? What is the most crucial factor? What role can an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) firm play in this discussion? You won’t have to worry about it since you’ll find all the answers and more in plain English, requiring no IT degree.
If you are developing a data center for your firm or another organization, we aim to demonstrate how an HVAC provider may help.
What Exactly Is A Data Center?
A data center is a heated and loud environment that houses servers (computers intended to interface with other computers) and network equipment. Any company that needs to give information to its consumers will require data centers.
What Does A Data Center Do?
Data centers are locations where all a company’s IT activities may be centralized. Data centers are made up of more than only servers and racks (also known as cabinets); but include other pieces of equipment. It is the location of all communication between the company’s servers and the PCs used by employees. This allows them to do their work, transport data, and keep their building running.
When systems fail, and data stops moving, businesses lose productivity and money. These losses may be avoided by having a data center staffed with qualified IT personnel.
What Sorts Of Data Center Cooling Systems Are Available?
Air Conditioning
It operates as follows: Raised flooring is used in older data centers in conjunction with a computer room air conditioner (CRAC) and a computer room air handler (CRAH). The CRAC or CRAH emits cold air. This causes the pressure to rise beneath the elevated floor, allowing cold air to enter the server inlets. The circulating air subsequently transfers the heat back to the CRAC/CRAH.
This system is best suited to tiny data centers with modest power needs. A single device cannot tolerate the heat if your data center consumes much electricity. Larger facilities employ cold and hot aisles to segregate the cooling intake air from the hot exhaust air. This will allow you to control the temperature of the air within the data center by preventing it from mingling.
What’s The Distinction Between CRAC And CRAH?
The CRAC operates in the same manner as your air conditioner. The CRAC breathes air into your area by running a refrigerant coil across it. This cools the air before pushing it out again. Instead of refrigerant, the CRAH draws in outside air and cools it with cold water. It is more efficient than a CRAC since it does not have a compressor (which wastes a lot of electricity).
Cooling By Liquid
This is an exciting field for contemporary data center cooling. It is more efficient and environmentally friendly than air conditioning. It is optional to have two systems that boost efficiency.
There are two kinds of liquid cooling. How do they function?
- Total Immersion It does what it says: it immerses the device in dielectric fluid. Heat is absorbed by the fluid and converted into vapor. When this occurs, it condenses to cool the apparatus.
- Chip-to-chip communication cooling isn’t as tasty as it sounds, but it’s still very cool. It directs coolant to the motherboard. This approach necessitates the installation of a chiller since heat must be transferred from the motherboard to your facility’s overall cooling system.
What Characteristics Do Most Successful Data Centers Have In Common?
1. Elevated Floors
A raised floor can be installed anywhere from 2 to 48 inches above your facility’s real floor. Install the server racks on the elevated flooring and secure them as needed. This will make room for your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Electrical wires can also be routed through the ceiling. This space may also be utilized to distribute cold air around your establishment.
2. Aisles That Are Hot And Chilly
Organize your server cabinets in a row to make it simpler to add more cabinets. Each row should be oriented opposite to the row next to it. Cold air intakes and hot air exhausts should be facing each other. This results in alternating aisles, with output in the hot aisle and intake in the cold lane.
Each aisle should have air handlers at the ends. You must ensure that they are properly spreading air and are not colliding. Without a cool data center, this might raise your electricity bill. You may control airflow and keep cold and hot air where they belong by adding doors or walls to the space.
Fill the cabinets to the capacity with all of your equipment. This will keep temperatures from rising too high. You should also check for leaks in your system, such as those in the elevated floor, cabinets, cable holes, or any other place where cold air may escape.
3. Consistent Power Supply
Data centers are built to ensure continuous data flow. The easiest way to ensure this aim is met is to have an uninterrupted power source and a backup generator that will keep everything working in the case of a power loss. If you want to be extra careful, install another power line to boost your redundancy.
If you have huge servers and a lot of space, you’ll require 10-20 kW per cabinet. Over time, you may need to expand or add extra room.
