Along with the server racks, so-called free-standing systems are also installed in many data centers. These racks often have customized dimensions and are replaced on a regular basis (usually every 1 to 3 years).
Free-standing systems can be storage cabinets, cluster applications (for example: IBM, SUN) or server racks (for example: IBM, HP, SUN, etc.). There are different reasons for delivery of the system as a complete package including racks. For storage applications, one main reason relates to product liability, while cluster applications are generally leased and there are often marketing reasons in the case of server applications.
The challenge faced by SmartAisle™ Containment for Free-standing is to construct a flexible cold aisle containment that permits fast, modular replacement of the free-standing systems.
The free-standing cold aisle containment solution is based on the SmartAisle™ standard series and is used in combination with those products. Panel sizes for the free-standing system can be adapted in both dimensions (height and width) according to the rack dimensions.
Characteristics:
- Flexible adaptation to racks with custom dimensions
- For racks and applications that are regularly replaced
- Used in combination with the SmartAisle™ standard series
Benefits
The benefits of containment over a conventional structure are:
- No hot spots (warm air recirculation from the warm aisle into the cold aisle; across the roof and across the front panels or through the rack)
- Minimum possible energy costs for the CRAC units (especially with intelligent Knürr regulation)
- Several servers can be installed
- Raised floor doesn’t have to be balanced out (which is difficult and would have to be done after every change in a conventional DC)
- Any server positioning in the rack (with conventional DCs positioning above in the rack and at the front of the aisle are prevented)
- Higher safety with increased CRAC unit redundancy (energy efficient 2n redundancy instead of n+1)
- Safer with CRAC unit failure (longer bridging time)
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