How to Select the Best ArcTiv Rack Cooling Management System for Your Server Room

When expanding or designing a new server room, the total performance of the servers and networking equipment can be optimized by efficiently managing the cooling system.  Selecting the best cooling system configuration will vary by application so the facility and IT managers need to list out the primary factors before selecting any specific cooling option.

Key Application Considerations:

  • Current and future power of IT equipment
  • External environmental conditions (temp, humidity, seismic)
  • Room dimensions, floor style and ceiling clearance
  • Existing room for retrofit or expansion or a new room layout
  • Fire suppression system
  • Monitoring system for power & cooling components

 

Room-Level Cooling System 

New construction data rooms often incorporate a centralized cooling system for the entire server rack system.  These can be offered in hot or cold-air isolation via aisle containment systems, chimneys and raised floors.  The hot or cold air can then be re-circulated through the central management system for maximum system efficiency.

Room-Level Cooling Advantages Room-Level Cooling Disadvantages
  • Greater system efficiency (lower OPEX)
  • Ideal for large capacity systems
  • Easy to manage and monitor cooling system
  • Hot spots can form, reducing server efficiency
  • Difficult to expand, scale or retrofit existing server room
  • Stability of raised floors in seismic areas

Centralized Cooling System Types

Cold-Aisle Containment

Hot-Aisle Containment

Key Components

  • Automatic sliding doors with electronic locks
  • Automated release top panels (fire suppression)
  • Hot-air telescopic chimneys (optional)
  • Top-of-rack cable channels

 

Application Advantages

  • Greater efficiency
  • Greater cooling-side temperature stability
Key Components

  • Automatic sliding doors with electronic locks
  • Automated release top panels (fire suppression)
  • Hot-air aisle recirculation
  • Top-of-rack cable channels

 

Application Advantages

  • Comfortable environment to manage equipment
  • Can be installed without raised floor (room cooling)

 

In-Row Precision Cooling System

For existing floor-space where raised floors or building-level cooling systems are not available, retrofitting the room with an in-row rack cooling system can provide flexibility and performance for the application.  The in-row cooling modules can be added to rack aisles; eliminating the need for a centralized cooling system.

Room-Level Cooling Advantages Room-Level Cooling Disadvantages
  • No raised floor or central cooling system
  • Scalable for future expansion
  • Precision cooling for greater equipment performance
  • Lower system efficiency
  • Targeted for smaller, high-performance applications

Cooling System Types

 

 

Micro Data Center (Aisle) with In-Row Cooling Micro Data Center (Row) with In-Row Cooling
Key Components

  • In-row cooling unit
  • Automatic sliding doors with electronic locks
  • Automated release top panels (fire suppression)
  • Top-of-rack cable channels
  • Environmental monitoring system

 

Application Advantages

  • Can be used in any room or floor style
  • Scalable for future expansion
Key Components

  • In-row cooling unit
  • Racks with front & rear airflow isolation
  • Electronic locking system
  • Top-of-rack cable channels
  • Environmental monitoring system

 

Application Advantages

  • Compact footprint for smaller server rooms
  • Minimal system investment

 

Contact Us to learn more about Cooling Management Systems.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel S. James II, MSEE, MBA

Daniel brings over 15 years of experience in both the data center and industrial automation industries having worked for Fortune 500 technology companies in various roles including Corporate Strategic Planning, Product Management and Business Development.  Connect with him on Linked-In.

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