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Design and Installation Challenges: Aisle Containment Systems

1. Reduces Total Cost of Data Center Ownership

2. Eliminates hot spots

3. Supports higher heat and power densities

4. Eliminates CRAH fan energy waste

5. Maximizes CRAH cooling coil efficiency

6. Increases chiller efficiency

We all know the Benefits of Containment

Common Types of Containment

Hot Aisle Containment (lid) - Close Coupled Cooling (In-Row,

Overhead)

Cooling is placed adjacent to IT equipment reducing supply and return air paths

Hot Aisle Containment – Vertical Exhaust

Hot aisle is enclosed typically at the rear edge of the cabinets and sides

Cold Aisle Containment – lid or vertical air chamber

Similar to hot aisle system except containment is at the front edge of the cabinet

Cabinet Level Containment – Vertical Exhaust

Similar to hot/cold aisle containment but dramatically different

So which is best?

What is the Best Type of Containment?

Hot-aisle and Cold Aisle Containment Efficiencies Reveal No Significant Differences

Copyright © 2011 Intel Corporation.

Data from: The Datacenter 2020, which is a joint T-Systems and Intel data center test laboratory in the Munich-based Euroindustriepark.

www.datacenter2020.com

Let’s take a closer look – Cold Aisle Containment (Lid Style)

RequirementsAir delivery via raised floor. All cabling should be overhead to reduce underfloor airflow restrictions.

ProsDoes not require exhuast duct. Can usually be added to existing room without too much difficulty.

ConsMust provide for lighting and sprinkler heads within the containment area (lid penetrations, equipment support and servicing). Must invest in complete aisle structure up front. Difficult to add/move cabinets once completed.

Cold Aisle Containment – Vertical Air Chamber

Cold Aisle Containment – Vertical Air Chamber

RequirementsAir delivery to the cold aisle via raised floor or downflow from ceiling plenum

ProsIncreased aisle air volume - longer runtime on power outage. Easier to work around sprinkler heads and lighting systems.

Cons

Must invest in complete aisle structure up front. Difficult to add/move cabinets once completed.

Cold Aisle Containment – Vertical Air Chamber

Hot Aisle Containment – Vertical Exhaust

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Hot Aisle Containment – Vertical Exhaust

RequirementsCeiling return air plenum or ductwork to exhaust return air

ProsEasier to work around sprinkler heads and lighting systems.

ConsUncomfortable aisle temperatures for performing work in

Hot Aisle Containment – Close Coupled / In Row Cooling

Hot Aisle Containment – Close Coupled / In Row Cooling

RequirementsIn Row / Close Coupled cooling units

ProsProvides a solution where alternative cooling strategies cannot be used

ConsMust provide for lighting and sprinkler heads within the containment area (lid penetrations, equipment support and servicing).

Must invest in complete aisle structure up front. Difficult to add/move cabinets once completedTakes up valuable floor spaceHigh initial install costHigh ongoing maintenance costs

Cabinet Level Containment (Vertical Exhaust Duct)

Cabinet Level Containment (Vertical Exhaust Duct)

RequirementsCeiling return air plenum or ductwork to exhaust return air

ProsEasier to work around sprinkler heads and lighting systems. High Kw capacity (30 Kw)Lowest air leakage as compared to other solutionsEasily add, move or relocate cabinetsLower install cost – built one cabinet at a time versus complete build

Cons

Your room dictates your solution

Data Center Cooling Design - General Recommendations

Is there a raised floor capable of delivering the needed volume of supply

air?

Is there a ceiling return air plenum space or can ductwork be installed capable of moving

the needed volume of return air? Are new cabinets being deployed? Recommended Solution

Yes Yes Yes Chimney Cabinets

Yes Yes No HAC (cabinet supported) ducted to return plenum

Yes No Yes CAC

Yes No No CAC (cabinet supported)

No Yes Yes Chimney Cabinets

No Yes No HAC (cabinet supported) ducted to return plenum

No No Yes HAC w/ceiling panels and close coupled cooling

No No No HAC (cabinet supported) w/ceiling panels and close coupled cooling

• Your cabinets have different:

• Heights

• Widths

• Depths

So, you’ve decided on Aisle Containment, however….

Your challenge is how to… Contain them!

You need to achieve something like this:

Dealing with height and width variances

• Infill Panels Required

• Maximum Flexibility

• Allows on site engineering

• Simple assembly

• Simple to Order

Top Containment Row Length

Extrusion

Width Extrusion

Gusset plate

Vertical Extrusion

Containment Row length Extrusion

Width Extrusion

Gusset plate

3/8”-16UNC screw

Consider the Frame Structure

Framing Up

Extrusion B

Extrusion A

Extrusion A

Extrusion A

Extrusion C

Extrusion D

Extrusion A = 94” (uncut) Extrusion B = Length cut Extrusion C = Width cut Extrusion D = Height cut

Attaching Polycarbonate Panels

Aisle Containment Doors • Compatible with all containment

options • Independent self-supporting

assembly • Self-closing double sliding doors • Self-closing single sliding door • Arrives pre-assembled • Door mounting kits • Door installation template

Foam Seal

Doors

Self-closing double sliding doors

Optional Raised floor offset kit Concealed mounting

Door mounting brackets; flush or offset

Door installation template

Doors

Aisle View

Top View

How to contain a single row – against a wall

How do I bring in my cable tray???

Consider how you will seal cable runway openings that penetrate the containment

Running cable inside the containment area

Perhaps you would be better off to run your bulk cable on the outside of the containment

Filling gaps between cabinets…

For example, when a pillar is located in the middle of your cabinet run, and you need to “seal” around it, consider using and infill panel.

You may need to build a corner unit to stretch a short row on one side of the aisle

Consider how you will anchor the structure to the floor

Frame it now Fill it later!

Overlooked Issues Lack of air control

Cabinet with no air dam. Server

Air is uncontrolled

Overlooked Issues Poor Airflow Control and Wire

Management

Open spaces allow hot air to flow through cabinet and mix with cooling air Air flow from servers is blocked; cable support arms become heat sinks

Overlooked Issues Raised Floor Concerns

• Cut tiles – can impact airflows and cooling capacities

Any questions?

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