Server Rack Cooling Solutions

Any type of hardware generates heat during operation. For any data center, the issue of overheating is urgent. Thus, server rack cooling is the first thing to consider upon developing a project. Excessive heating can lead to the aging of components and early system failures, and unstable functioning. Thus, it is important to properly organize the process of server cooling in specialized server premises to heat out operating hardware.

Ways to Avoid Overheating

In most cases, the use of an additional server rack cooling system is required. For this purpose, the below-mentioned options can be used:

1. Heat avoidance due to natural convection

This form of server cabinet cooling is based on the laws of physics. Heat is always accumulated at the top of the premises, while cold room air is denser, that is why it is at the bottom of the room. Knowing this rule, it is possible to organize the process of natural warm air circulation in the premises and ensure better cooling.

2. Natural air

This is an ideal method for large facilities, where the temperature of the environment is low.

3. Forced ventilation

A fan tray mounted inside the piece of furniture can provide better airflow.

4. Active Liquid-Based Cooling

Such server cabinet cooling solutions are used to cool hot air inside the rack or the entire data facility. As it is clear from its name, in this case, liquid (i.e. water) is used to prevent apparatus from overheating. Thus, the process of recirculation is achieved due to a processor that is connected to a water block. When circulating through the block due to the use of a pump, the liquid takes heat from the apparatus (processor in most cases). The heated water enters the radiator, where the liquid is cooled.

5. Active air convection cooling

Air conditioning is a form of server rack enclosure cooling, which is usually used when the above-mentioned means of overheating prevention are ineffective. There are several types of air conditioners for data centers, including wall- and ceiling-mounted models, built-in units, and assembled computer room air conditioners called CRACs.

How to Choose the Most Suitable System?

There are several aspects to consider when deciding what server rack cooling unit is best suited for your premises. For a server enclosure, the most appropriate level of cooling and ventilation will depend on several factors:

– The number of servers, switches, and routers, as well as their thermal capacity.

– Thermal output of additional systems inside the cabinet (e.g. UPS systems).

– Cabinet construction with its height, width, depth, perforation, and space allocation.

– Furniture location in the room.

How to Ensure Good Airflow?

Using the fan is the easiest way to cool equipment. Typically, server furniture has space for coolers of a certain size. Note that parts can be supplied with or without a cable. To reduce the load on the

cooling system, you can buy a thermostat. It will turn on fans only when the temperature inside the cabinet rises to the user-set value.

Fan trays or shelves are good for floor-standing models. These are metal boxes with 2-6 coolers. Some constructions allow the fan assembly to be fixed to the side of the cabinet. Due to air recirculation, this creates longitudinal cooling and overheating protection. It is also possible to install a thermostat for the fan units, which will create automatic temperature control.

A climate cabinet is one of the best data center cooling solutions. In this case, it does not matter where such a cabinet will be installed: in a hot or damp room, or even on the street. This piece of furniture is like a regular server cabinet, but with additional devices installed inside, namely a heater, thermostat, and fans. They cool the air when it’s hot and heat it when it’s cold, thus, maintaining the optimal temperature level.

In this case, everything happens automatically. It is enough just once to adjust the lower and upper temperature limits using the thermostat. Then, the climate cabinet system will figure out when to turn on heating or cooling.

Server enclosure cooling is a vital issue for any data center or server room. It is necessary to calculate the amount of hot airflow at the stage of designing the system and decide on the most appropriate way of its cooling to ensure optimal functioning of all elements.