Tips, Tricks, and Considerations for A Space-Efficient Data Center
The field of information technology is ever growing and ever evolving. Powering this growth are data centers all over the world! These locations serve to securely store, process, and deliver data. As such, this is a technologically driven enterprise.
Currently, data centers are faced with many constraints. Demand has increased, but space is limited. Energy consumption is high and may often eat into profits. Data centers must evolve to answer the need, a need that can be answered by architects!
Here are some tips into how a space-efficient data center can be achieved with the assistance of specialized data center architects:
Airflow Management
Often, the go-to method to making the most out of the same space is to integrate more servers and machines into a smaller space. While a logical step, an obvious issue comes in – Heat. Due to the inherent nature of data centers, each machine generates a lot of heat. Airflow management is thus a major aspect of good data center architecture. Architects ensure that hot-air and cold-air paths are separated, letting air always be moving and never stagnant. Chimneys can also be integrated to vent hot air outside.
Optimized Cooling Systems
Unfortunately, only managing air is rarely the answer. The problem of heat is best answered when airflow management is combined with an optimized cooling system. Implementing precision cooling systems is one way to maintain optimal temperatures for each component. While traditionally fans were used to cool down the components, modern setups may consider using liquid cooling. A data center architect can plan forward and factor in a liquid cooling setup when looking to renovate the space.
Effective Cable Management
When high functioning computing components are involved, cable clutter is an inevitability. Such clutter, often emerging from haphazard edits or implementations, impedes airflow and cooling. Cable clutter also makes troubleshooting a challenge if and when a component malfunctions. Architecture can find an answer to this conundrum in overhead trays and organized routing. By providing a dedicated and easily manageable space for each cable, along with specific routes, the data center can remain much easier to navigate.
If you’re looking to build such an efficient space, trust none other than Stendel + Reich data center architecture solutions.
While technology has allowed for components to shrink down, architectural considerations can not only increase efficiency exponentially but also ensure the data center is reliable and hazard free!
