Hot and Cold Aisle Containment in Data Centers

Nowadays, it’s difficult to imagine life without data centers. Although many people do not realize their importance, they stand behind multiple processes and serve as the “black cardinal” in different spheres. Data centers have a great impact on business running, data storage and processing, network processes, etc. Thus, they penetrated our lives firmly.

A data center is a complex infrastructure of IT devices connected together to cope with complicated computing tasks. Depending on the size, the number of components may reach several thousand or even more since large data centers occupy hectares of territory and specific facilities are deployed for their arrangement and maintenance.

DCs consist of hundreds of IT equipment pieces that perform together to process datum, store information, and tackle complicated tasks. Since computing tasks are energy-consuming procedures, hardware tends to heat a lot when being in constant operation. Taking into account that every hardware piece emits heat, the accumulated heat from all system components will result in a huge indicator. The neglect of the temperature control leads to equipment overheating and failure. This is why the issue of proper environmental arrangement and maintenance is vital for network systems in DCs.

Multiple control methods are used in system administration to monitor the temperature and maintain optimal climatic metrics. The most popular technologies include liquid cooling, fan installation, hot aisle and cold aisle management, etc. The latter is recognized to be one of the most effective ones. So, in the article, we’re going to discuss it and highlight the key benefits.

Benefits and Challenges of Aisle Containment

Technicians who are responsible for data center settlement tend to use hot and cold aisle maps when developing a layout for cabinet allocation. They are widely used in the domain due to the following benefits:

1. Enhanced cooling efficiency. If the design of cabinet allocation is developed correctly, the natural airflow will pass through devices, removing extra heat, increasing cooling efficiency, and eliminating the need to install forced ventilation devices.
2. Reduced energy costs. Taking into account aisles, it’s possible to reduce the number of installed ventilation units. This, in turn, allows for saving both money and energy by using the natural air circulating in a room. Twice economy is achieved: less energy is consumed by ventilation devices and functioning equipment consumes less energy during performance. The main thing is to know how to use this knowledge correctly and master it properly.
3. Improved equipment lifespan. The maintenance of an optimal environment is favorable for an overall hardware lifespan. By creating an optimal climate in data centers, technicians prevent increased equipment wear and guarantee its durable serviceability.

Despite the technology being approved to be efficient, it has some drawbacks, namely, design complexities and cost considerations. Due to complexities in design, it’s necessary to study maps at the stage of cabinet layout development. The latter challenge will pay off in a long perspective since this solution eliminates the need to install fans.

Aisle Containment Structure

The rows of racks and cabinets form the underlying structure of the aisle containment system. Further, additional components are added to create a physical barrier and separate cold and hot aisles, preventing their mixing. These include:

1. Panels. Technicians frequently use panels framed with lightweight aluminum enclosures to form the roofs of aisle containment systems. Such panels are also suitable for use in free spaces, where a cabinet or rack is missing. Note that the panel size is standardized to 24 x 48 inches, which corresponds to the widths of one floor tile for racks and two floor tiles for most aisles. 
2. Curtains. They are made from flexible strips and stand as a cost-effective solution for air aisle separation. By overlapping several strips, a reliable barrier is created. Sometimes, weights are added to strips to prevent their separation and air mixing.
3. Doors. They are installed at the end of the aisles to enable the maintenance staff access and isolate the system. There are different models are doors for data centers. They can be sliding or hinged, and single or double-walled. An appropriate model is selected, depending on the available space. Additionally, it’s possible to attach curtain strips to the door. 
4. Seals. Different kinds of seals are applied to prevent air leaks within the aisle containment system. Modern manufacturers produce seal kits for floors, doors, and in-cabinet partitions. For instance, floor seals are used to prevent air circulation under cabinets, and door seals close gaps between cabinet walls and doors.
5. Blanking Panels. Technically, these accessories are not part of the aisle containment system. However, they are used to manage the airflow and make the air circulate in the right direction. These are plastic panels that are installed in non-used holes and tech slots in cabinets to prevent outside air penetration and mixing. They are essential in the creation of an inner cabinet environment. If you need such panels, click here to find out more information about blanking panels and pick an appropriate model.

Cold Aisle Containment

The cold aisle containment data center embraces routes, via which cold air is supplied into server rooms. These are the only possible channels for col air circulation, so they are separated by the above-mentioned structures to prevent mixing. The creation of physical barriers allows for the creation of cold aisle containments, through which the air is supplied and directed. Cold aisle containment is beneficial due to the following features:

1. Ease of implementation. This strategy does not require the installation of additional architecture (such as an air plenum or drop ceiling). So, it’s easy to construct it without special effort.
2. Cost-effectiveness. The arrangement of cold aisles is cheaper since fewer materials and objects are required. It’s enough to install doors, the roof, and partitions (panels), which requires less expense.
3. Ease of customization. It’s easier to retrofit the containment in an existing DC.

If you want to study more ways to cool your server room, read the article. More effective solutions are provided there to arrange an effective thermal picture.

Hot Aisle Containment

The objective of the hot aisle containment data center is to enclose hot air masses and redirect them further to cooling systems. By entering an enclosed hot containment and coming through a ceiling plenum or ductwork, hot air is redirected to cooling devices. After cooling, the air is again passed to the server room via raised floor, ductwork, or computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units. The application of this strategy is beneficial due to the following advantages:

1. Effective heat removal. By directing hot air away from the operating space, proper circulation and effective functioning of the system are achieved.
2. The possibility to install stand-alone and low-density cabinets and racks outside the containment system without the fear of overheating. They won’t heat a lot.
3. High efficiency. If any leaks in the raised floor are observed, nothing harmful will happen since the air enters the cold aisle containment.

To sum up, data center hot aisle cold aisle containments form a single system and work coherently to achieve a single purpose of maintaining the optimal temperature in premises.

Temperature Control in Data Centers

Although hot and cold air containments are highly effective, they are usually coupled with other cooling solutions. The modern system administration industry offers a wide range of solutions for air cooling. For instance, fan installation allows for directing the airflow in the set direction. The use of in-cabinet cooling helps create an effective indoor climate and ensures sufficient cooling of IT hardware, preventing overheating.

Besides, it’s not enough to arrange an indoor climate. It’s necessary to control and maintain it. For this purpose, diverse models of sensors, control and alarming tools, and temperature management accessories are used. By configuring sensors, technicians achieve perfect in-room climate optimization and can monitor it in real time. Metrics are recorded regularly, and once indicators go beyond the set values, an alarm is sent to a control board.

The Future of Aisle Containment in Data Centers

The industry is constantly evolving. Innovations and technologies are introduced to improve the effectiveness of heat removal from server rooms. Recently emerging trends include sustainability and automation.

Sustainability is aimed at reducing the amount of consumed natural resources and energy during DC operation. In this regard, liquid cooling strategies placement of DCs in cold regions, and aisle containments are highly effective. The integration of modern cooling tools helps reduce the amount of needed energy for DC functioning.

Automation trends imply the integration of digital and IT solutions to entrust routine tasks to AI. For instance, software is used to monitor climatic metrics, adjust indicators, and control an overall DC performance. Advanced systems can also make prompt decisions if the technical staff does not respond swiftly. Machine learning techniques help simplify DC performance while making it more effective.

The implementation of such technologies and the further improvements of modern innovations will make the industry even more convenient and easy for management and arrangement. Paying particular attention to the issue of data center cooling and efficiency will help develop new ways to treat DCs with minimum harm to the environment and maximum benefit for humans.

Network hardware is extremely sensitive to temperature exposure. Any breach of the optimal climate leads to overheating, failure in operation, and unexpected expenses on costly devices. The use of hot and cold air maps when designing the DC layout allows for tackling this problem and improving the natural capability of the room to cool equipment. Thus, the technology is widely used in complex with other methods when arranging a DC infrastructure.