Hot & Cold Data Center Aisle Containment: Important Things You Need To Know
Introduction
Thanks to more businesses looking to digitize their systems, data centers are steadily increasing in the country. Even the government is gradually shifting to digital processes, resulting in more facilities for computer servers being built near and within our shores.
Consequently, there is also a rising demand to keep these data centers, specifically the servers they house, functional all year round. The key to doing so is to ensure they're running in an optimal environment, keeping the hardware from overheating while they store and process data.
Data centers have utilized many options for years to maintain a perfect environment for computer servers. That said, hot and cold aisle containment systems are the most popular today, both in the Philippines and worldwide.
What exactly is a hot and cold aisle, how are they different from each other, and how does utilizing them help keep your data servers functional and, ultimately, help your business succeed? This comprehensive guide by InfoBahn Communications Inc. will provide you with the answers.
Hot Aisle Containment vs. Cold Aisle Containment
Today, data center containment systems are popularly categorized as either hot or cold. To clarify, the differences between these two systems have little to do with temperature but rather with the methods by which the system separates hot and cold air to provide an optimal environment for running servers.
It's important to note that whichever system, a containment's goal is the same—to prevent hotspots or overheating from occurring in your data centers. Failure to keep the temperatures at bay can result in hardware malfunction. Downed servers, in turn, can affect business operations and transactions that rely on digital data to implement.
So, it's not a question of whether you need a containment system. Your real concern should be about choosing which type works for your business. To do so, you should learn more about the two systems and align them with the quantity of your servers, your available facility, and your budget.
Hot Aisle Containment
Hot aisle containment systems for data centers leverage the principle of rising hot air. As servers generate heat, the exhaust goes to an overhead plenum, where it's trapped and converted to cold air by outside compressors (a process similar to a split-type air conditioner's refrigeration system). The computer air room conditioner (CRAC) units then blast the cold air into the data center.
Hot aisle systems may prompt you to overhaul a major facility, as its architecture requires more space and complex ductwork. These requirements also make implementing this containment more expensive. That said, its capability to accommodate multiple servers is high—just look at Google's data centers.
Cold Aisle Containment
Cold aisle containment systems are simpler: hot air is directed to the plenum beneath the data center's suspended floors. This means you don't need a spacious ceiling for complicated ductwork installations.
This system also emphasizes efficient engineering design. For instance, CRAC units are strategically placed to ensure cold air hits the servers. Meanwhile, server racks face a single direction, so exhaust air is released in one area, preventing cold and hot air from mixing. Floor grilles are also placed directly to the hardware to allow easier cooling.
Benefits of Hot & Cold Data Center Aisle Containment Systems in the Philippines
As data centers continue to increase in the country, so do aisle containment system providers. These companies can help you set up your own data centers or allow you to use their facilities.
That said, whether you rely on a third-party service or stick with your IT internal team, you must have an efficient containment architecture for your data center. Doing so can help you reap the following business-friendly benefits:
Reduced Energy Costs
Containment systems maintain uniform temperature and humidity in a data center room, preventing ACRA units from overworking due to overheating hardware. When working optimally, your cooling system reduces energy consumption from 5% to 10%, a considerable decrease in electric bills!
Enhanced Equipment Protection
Efficient containment systems should prevent hot and cold air from mixing. The facility's architecture and HVAC system contribute to preventing leakages, while IT experts further protect your hardware by installing physical barriers or sealing holes or gaps. With the air conditioning intact, your hardware can operate without hitches.
Higher Server Capacity
A reliable containment system allows a data center to house more servers, which will help your business if you're scaling and need to boost your digital storage capacity. A high server capacity can also translate to speedier system loading and smoother online transactions.
Alternatives to Hot & Cold Containment Systems
Aside from popular aisle containment options, some data centers opt for alternative systems to maintain optimal temperatures. Often, these alternatives are less expensive than hot and cold aisle infrastructures. However, the catch is that they are more applicable to smaller data centers or those located in cool, dry places.
Airflow Optimization
An optimized airflow design, in a nutshell, ensures that your server's hot air exhaust won't mix with the cold air from your ACRA units to prevent the cooling system from overworking. Hotspots are more probable when the system is overburdened, which can result in hardware damage.
If the facility is already designed long before you use it as your data center, you can use diffusers and panels to manage airflow. Building separate rooms for hot air and cold air can also be helpful.
Free Cooling
Free cooling is about taking advantage of the environment where your data center is located. It's a system that pulls cold outdoor air instead of relying on mechanical refrigeration. The caveat is that it can only work if you're located in a dry and cool place.
Cold air from free cooling systems is also best applied to modern servers, as they have higher heat tolerance than legacy hardware. However, as weather is unpredictable, data centers using this system should constantly monitor outside temperatures and adjust their ACRA units accordingly.
Evaporative Cooling
Evaporative cooling, as the name suggests, uses evaporation to bring cold air into a room. The system supplies water into evaporating pads, where hot air evaporates the water, while the fan pulls the cold vapor and directs it to the space in need of cooling.
Like free cooling, evaporative cooling is more effective in drier locations with less humidity. If you're in a more humid area, opting for this system may result in more moisture in the cold air produced, damaging your hardware.
Get Excellent Data Center Containment Services From InfoBahn!
Running and maintaining a data center is crucial for your company's digital processes. Keeping the facility and the servers functional is a constant mission all year round and thus requires consistent support from IT experts.
Whether you want to help your in-house team or plan to outsource, InfoBahn is here to provide data center containment solutions. Our IT professionals offer various technical services, from general maintenance to specific fixes. Moreover, we provide cutting-edge hardware and software so your data infrastructure remains impeccable.
FAQs About Hot & Cold Data Center Aisle Containment Systems in the Philippines
Why Do You Need To Cool Your Data Center Aisles?
Cooling your data center aisles is necessary to prevent your servers from malfunctioning due to overheating. Every time a server stores and processes data, it produces heat, which, if uncontrolled, can cause your hardware to overheat and shut down.
How Much Do Hot & Cold Containment Solutions Cost?
There is no exact range for how much you'd spend on data center containment, as many factors are involved. The amount you'd spend installing, maintaining, and fixing hot or cold containment systems will depend on the type you choose for your data center and the size and design of your facility.
Where Can You Get Excellent Hot & Cold Containment Solutions?
IT experts and engineers who know the ins and outs of data infrastructure and hardware maintenance can provide reliable hot and cold containment solutions. These professionals must also be able to tailor their solutions to your specific business needs.
Conclusion
Both hot and cold data center containment solutions have the same goal—to keep your servers running without overheating and malfunctioning. Servers constantly produce heat as they process and store data, requiring keeping the hot air at bay and preventing it from damaging your hardware.
Choosing which system suits your data center needs will depend on several factors, such as your location, the number of servers you have, the facility you use, and your budget allocation. To ensure optimal results, consult with your trusted IT professionals first.
At InfoBahn, we offer a wide range of containment products and services you can consider. Contact us today to learn how we can help you keep your data centers in tip-top condition!