Data center design and facilities
Data center design includes continuous power and cooling for IT equipment, site security and energy use. Data center facilities are specialized for a task and must operate in concert with the IT organization. New trends in data center design and construction include modular and containerized builds, as well as DCIM to track energy use.
Top Stories
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Feature
18 Dec 2024
Top data center infrastructure management software in 2025
DCIM tools can improve data center management and operation. Learn how six prominent products can help organizations control costs, manage energy and track assets. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Dec 2024
4 hyper-converged infrastructure trends for 2025
Hyper-converged infrastructure is rapidly changing. Read what HCI has to offer in 2025 and what projected growth it may have within the next couple of years. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Nov 2020
Software-defined power offers benefits, but lacks popular interest
Virtualized power systems promise to ease deployment and maintenance, but the market is still in its nascency. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Oct 2020
Mini PCs for business offer improved performance, reduced costs
Mini PCs are a low-cost hardware alternative to servers that enable organizations to maintain maximum data center features and capabilities in remote office locations. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jul 2020
A mechanical refrigeration system primer for admins
Mechanical cooling is a necessity to keep data centers efficient year-round. The system type you use depends on the refrigerant, number of heat exchanges and airflow requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jun 2020
Take control of Hyper-V power management for cost efficiency
Organizations can better manage Hyper-V power consumption through various means, such as using Hyper-V power plans, server cores and SCVMM capabilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 May 2020
Pick a data center layout: Raised floors vs. overhead cabling
There's no definitive design when it comes to data center infrastructure. Cost, manageability and cooling effectiveness are all factors during the selection process. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Mar 2020
Want an HPC data center? Colocation could be the answer
Colocation can offer the space, HVAC and security an organization needs to implement high-performance computing and delve deeper into its data. But not every provider is a match. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2020
A guide to data center maintenance outsourcing
Data centers have a lot of moving mechanical parts to maintain. It's beneficial to leave electrical and fire system upkeep to the professionals instead of doing it all in-house. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Dec 2019
5 considerations for efficient VMware design
Designing a VMware environment requires you to consider many factors, such as storage, CPUs, security and VM density. A few tips can keep your design simple and elegant. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2019
Refresh your data center cooling lexicon
As the data center industry moves to improve energy efficiency, refresh your knowledge on the available cooling technology and methodologies. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Dec 2019
Get eco-friendly with LEED data center certification
The U.S. Green Building Council helps companies make existing and new data centers eco-friendly. HVAC, lighting and monitoring technology help increase infrastructure efficiency. Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2019
U.S. facility may have best data center PUE
The data center energy efficiency metric, power usage effectiveness, or PUE, is not improving. But one supercomputer data center is showing that big improvements are possible. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Aug 2019
Host Analytics FP&A software aids Digital Realty decision-making
Digital Realty digitized financial planning and analysis to enable data-driven decisions. Here's a look at how that has enabled growth for the $3 billion business. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jul 2019
A quick guide to data center commissioning
Service provider selection, design documentation and thorough testing are all necessary for commissioning. Learn the process's nuances to get your facilities online. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2019
China's supercomputing systems soar from 21 to 219 in a decade
The U.S. dominates in total supercomputing performance, but lags behind China in the overall number of supercomputers. U.S. x86 vendors sell many of the chips used in these systems, but ARM may soon be giving them a run for their money. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2019
Data center cooling systems advance, incorporate natural sources
Despite concerns around water-based cooling technology, organizations are developing new hardware setups that rely on fjords and oceans to effectively cool dense server racks. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 May 2019
How do I size a UPS unit?
Your data center UPS sizing needs are dependent on a variety of factors. Develop configurations and determine the estimated UPS capacity that will meet your current and future needs. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Apr 2019
What are viable Open19 use cases and hardware options?
Open19 is working with vendors to make hardware for its open source infrastructure. The goal is to support a growing number of off-premises use cases, such as edge computing. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Apr 2019
Improve data center efficiency with these 3 steps
As applications require more computing power, enterprises need to ensure they maximize their data centers. These three steps can improve data center efficiency. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Mar 2019
distributed energy resources (DER)
Distributed energy resources (DER) are the combination of physical and virtual resources used in the production and storage of energy at or near where it will be used and separate from the main grid. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Mar 2019
Rankine cycle
The Rankine cycle is a method of providing power in a closed system where a fluid is evaporated to perform a task and re-condensed. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2019
Perfect AI-defined infrastructure by analyzing your data center
Before implementing AI, evaluate your IT team and data storage center. Experts explain the fundamental elements of data storage required to tailor an AI-defined infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2019
Carbon Relay debuts AI-based software for data center cooling
Newcomer Carbon Relay has introduced two products that use artificial intelligence to help IT pros manage data center efficiency. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2018
Streamline data center power usage tracking with DCIM
If you want a more in-depth picture of your data center's power consumption, explore DCIM options that provide server workload metrics and overall power system data. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2018
How to realize server virtualization energy savings
Virtualizing servers is one of the most effective steps to reduce energy consumption, especially when the hypervisor and VM placement are taken into account. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Sep 2018
Too many tools hobble network management design
'Measure twice, cut once' doesn't work for network management. It's time for the industry to consider a new way to coordinate network management design tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2018
Streamline data center ops by adding functionality to your DCIM tool
Once you've successfully set up DCIM software, it's important to evaluate what further capabilities you need and the ways you can improve data center planning. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Jan 2018
bang-bang (bang-bang control)
Bang-bang control is a type of control system that mechanically or electronically turns something on or off when a desired target (setpoint) has been reached. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Nov 2017
electrical power management system (EPMS)
An electrical power management system (EPMS) is an electronic system that provides fine grained information about the flow of power in an electrical power generation system or power substation. Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Aug 2017
Uptime Institute tier classification system faces new rivals
Because the Uptime Institute focuses primarily on power and cooling, alternative data center certifications have emerged. Their chances of replacing Uptime, however, seem slim. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jan 2017
What should my dimensions be for a data center building design?
Don't get hung up on data center dimensions in the design phase. Focus on length-to-width ratios to get the most out of data center space, power and cooling. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Dec 2016
Build a data center shutdown procedure to prepare for the worst
A data center shutdown checklist helps IT teams focus on backup, testing and system verification before pulling the plug and losing valuable information. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jun 2016
Construct a winning data center project plan
Before embarking on new data center projects, such as an upgrade or move to the cloud, clearly define all goals and expectations -- and not just for IT. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2015
Greenfield vs. brownfield data center development strategies
Don't count out that old, empty department store that hasn't seen customers in a decade -- data center brownfield developments bring new life to these types of abandoned buildings. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Oct 2015
Data center humidity recommendation falls dramatically
An ASHRAE study's conclusions are disproving the conventional wisdom around data centers' relative humidity levels. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2015
Take data center efficiency to the max on three-phase power
Three-phase circuits provide considerably more power efficiency to data center equipment, but phase balancing can trip up deployments. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Dec 2014
What's the best way to measure data center airflow?
You can't measure airflow from raised floor tiles in the same way as any other air duct. Optimize data center airflow with the right tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2014
In-rack and in-row cooling options for any data center
Say no to CRAC and consider more selective data center cooling options. In-rack and in-row cooling systems are efficient and optimally dispel heat. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Aug 2014
What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong
UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2014
Does data center size matter in virtualization, DCIM decisions?
Are you big enough to take advantage of DCIM or virtualization for the power and cost savings? When it comes to certain moves, size is an advantage. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jun 2014
Controversial hot aisle containment practices
Is your hot aisle too hot for OSHA? New data center trends are causing concern. You might need to adapt to adhere to the law. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 May 2014
What's the highest server temperature you can handle?
There's no correct inlet air temperature for all servers. Age, performance and design help determine how much heat your server can handle. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2014
What should you do with old servers and outdated data center equipment?
Complications arise when replacing nonfunctional data center equipment. Decide what to do with the old equipment and how to handle retrofits. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Dec 2013
How outdated practices harm data center grounding systems
Isolated grounds are a solution lacking a problem. In fact, isolated grounds create problems for data center cabinet power and add expense all around. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
09 Dec 2013
Your data lives where?! Strange and secure data center locations
In these data center pictures, tour barges, former mines and oil rigs. Sometimes a strange location makes the most sense for a secure data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2013
Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76
Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2013
Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design
Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design. Continue Reading
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Quiz
22 Mar 2013
Quiz: New methods for cooling data centers
Think you know everything about cooling data centers? Test your knowledge by taking this quiz on modern cooling techniques. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2012
Three questions on ASHRAE standards for data centers
Evolving ASHRAE standards for temperature and humidity allow data center owners to save money on power and cooling demands. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2012
Green from the ground up
There are many ways to reduce energy costs in the data center. See our feature on a few innovative gems employed by the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke, Mass. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2012
Does UPS maintenance go to IT or the facilities management team?
The UPS is the last line of defense for keeping your data center alive, but does its care fall to the facilities management team or IT? Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Feb 2012
FM-200 systems: What data center managers need to know
Get the lowdown on using FM-200 systems for data center fire suppression, and whether or not they're a good choice for your company. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2012
Five questions on data center environmental monitoring
Our expert explains how to maintain ideal conditions for your server room using data center environmental monitoring tools and techniques. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2011
Data center design and build-out
Learn how to establish a strong foundation for your data center construction project. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2011
Avoiding single point of failure design flaws
Redundancy can help a data center avoid downtime, but sometimes hidden flaws in the electrical design can still create a single point of failure. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2011
Best practices for maintaining a data center CRAC unit
A CRAC unit failure could often have been avoided through preventive maintenance and correctly sizing cooling infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2011
Considering a raised floor in the data center
Tile material, strength and durability are important factors to consider when selecting and installing a raised floor in a data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2011
Selecting raised floors, panels for the data center
Choosing raised floor panels capable of supporting the weight of data center equipment cabinets requires taking a close look at strength ratings and manufacturers’ claims. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2011
Data center design standards for cabinet and floor loading
The weight of today’s racks and equipment cabinets can stress floor structures, making it crucial to consider floor loading requirements in your data center design. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Apr 2011
cow power (biogas)
Cow power is a term for the conversion of manure to usable energy. The energy produced can supplement the electric power offered by a utility or power a facility, such as a factory or a data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Mar 2011
Using DCIM tools to monitor data center power
Although DCIM tools include many capabilities for monitoring data center power and facilitating data center management, you should know their associated costs before implementing projects. Continue Reading
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Quiz
04 Mar 2011
Data center design and infrastructure classroom 101 quiz
This brief quiz on data center design and infrastructure tests your knowledge of server virtualization technology, virtualization deployment and hardware considerations for a virtual environment. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2010
Data center EPO vulnerability fixed in 2011 National Electrical Code
Data centers are no longer required to put the big red kill-switch on exit doors, thanks to a committee that convinced the NFPA to revisit its data center EPO regulation. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2010
Calculating carbon emissions in the data center
While data center carbon measurement is in its infancy and lacks hard standards, it still may benefit IT admins to know basic methods for calculating carbon emissions as carbon legislation begins impacting data centers. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2010
Bus track and busway power distribution: Power anywhere?
Bus track and busway power distribution in the data center is a growing trend that allows for greater flexibility and accommodation of rising power densities. This in-depth exploration of bus-type power systems will help you decide whether this is a good option for your data center power infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2010
Data center energy efficiency guide
In an already troubled economy, IT managers face growing energy costs and surging data center carbon emissions. In this all-inclusive guide, learn how to improve data center energy efficiency through methods such as maximizing server efficiency and energy-efficient cooling. Continue Reading
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Quiz
23 Apr 2010
Quiz: Data center energy efficiency trends
Take this quiz on data center energy efficiency, and find out how much you know about cutting costs and saving power at your company. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Mar 2010
fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that derives its energy from combustible substances such as hydrogen, methane, propane, methanol, diesel fuel or even gasoline... (Continued) Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2010
Hot aisle / cold aisle containment in pictures
Hot aisle /cold aisle containment is fast becoming a popular way to make a data center more efficient. This slideshow demonstrates some implementations of the data center design. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2009
Sizing computer room air conditioners for data center energy efficiency
Choosing a right-sized computer room air conditioner (CRAC) is crucial to data center energy efficiency, but there are many variables to consider. Learn more about data center air conditioning design, maintaining humidity levels and temperature, and managing air flow to determine the best CRAC for your facility. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Aug 2009
How to choose the right uninterruptible power supply for your data center
This tip discusses how to choose the right-sized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your data center. It also explains common mistakes in UPS sizing and why UPS power ratings can be so confusing. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2009
Avoid common pitfalls when calculating data center power load
For data center pros trying to size an air conditioning system or UPS, accurately estimating data center power load is critical. But there are many common pitfalls to avoid. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2009
Air flow management strategies for efficient data center cooling
To achieve efficient data center cooling, you must reduce your facility's air flow waste. In this tip, an expert outlines air flow management strategies and best practices that can improve data center air flow, including the installation of blanking panels, raised-floor tiles and hot-aisle/cold-aisle design. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2009
Optimizing server energy efficiency
Reducing data center energy consumption is a hot topic in the IT industry, but server energy efficiency has only recently become a focus of discussion. Improving server efficiency means optimizing the main components that impact a server's overall power consumption: power supply, fans, CPU, memory, hard drives, I/O cards and ports, and supporting chipsets. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2008
CRG West preps data centers for cloud computing customers
A data center services provider executive tells us about his company's approach to cloud computing. He addresses scalability, latency and cooling issues when implementing a cloud infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2008
ViaWest data centers go green, which makes dollars and cents
ViaWest has proven that building a data center with virtualized servers, careful hot/cold-aisle design, renewable wind power and scheduled thermal analysis reviews is not only fantastically green, but also cost-effective. Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2008
EU launches Code of Conduct for Data Centers
The European Union has announced a strict new code for data center energy conservation in order to fight global warming. This places the EU further ahead of the US on energy conservation policy. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2008
Improving data center cooling capacity with chilled water plants
With a chilled-water plant, you can improve your data center cooling capacity and possibly prevent more drastic measures, such as having to build a new facility. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2008
A peek at Power Loft's high-density data center
Power Loft is building a colocation facility specializing in high-density data center space, with final plans of 300 Watts per square foot, or 10 kW/rack. The company is constructing a 200,000 square foot facility in Manassas, Virginia, which is scheduled for completion in Q12009. The new facility is LEED-certified with a green roof and waterside economizers for power cost savings. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2008
Server cabinet air velocities increasing
The velocity of air coming out the back of server cabinets in 2003 was just a few feet. In 2007, it was more than 12 feet, and Future Facilities estimates that it will be around 25 feet in five years. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2008
Drawbacks to hot/cold aisle containment
Containing hot and cold aisles in the data center can add up to high-cost installations, not to mention retrofits. The issue of sprinkler installation is one area in which the efforts to containment can cause unexpected additional cost in order to be compliant with fire codes. Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2008
Creating standards for data center energy monitoring: ASHRAE and Green Grid collaborate
ASHRAE and The Green Grid recently partnered together, which will allow them to write white papers and books together and create a standard set of tools and guidelines about energy use for data center managers. Their first collaborative effort is a new book, Real-time power consumption measurements for data centers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2008
Save energy: Manage server power utilization
August 27, 2008 was "Power IT Down Day," and Hewlett-Packard, Citrix and Intel joined forces to ask PC users to install power management software to decrease power consumption of machines when idle. While the sponsors stressed PC power managment, others responded by emphasizing server power management as a much bigger issue. Data center managers are getting proactive on this front, with 33% reporting that they have installed power management software this year compared to 18% in 2007. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2008
intelligent power management (IPM)
Intelligent Power Management (IPM) is a combination of hardware and software that optimizes the distribution and use of electrical power in computer systems and data centers. While the installation of IPM involves up-front cost and ongoing maintenance, the technology can save money in the long term as a result of reduced electric bills, reduced downtime and prolonged hardware life... (Continued) Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2008
Uninterruptible power supply load bus synchronization: Yes or no?
Should you consider paying the additional cost of a Load Bus Synchronization system for your uninterruptible power supply? Data center experts Syska Hennessy weigh in. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jun 2008
Selecting a general contractor: Data center construction runbook, Chapter 3
When you're building a new data center, it pays to bring the general contractor onboard early, rather than bidding out the process and ending up with unqualified subcontractors on your project. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2008
Data center cooling optimization in the virtualized-server world
How many hamburgers can you cook on a blade server? If your servers are literally cooking there are a variety of systems to consider to keep your equipment cool. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2008
Do dual-power supply servers increase redundancy?
Implementing servers with dual power supplies is a common practice in mission-critical environments. But improper implementation can result in a false sense of power redundancy. This tip explains what can go wrong in your data center. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Oct 2007
Data center cooling and humidity control: CRAC or AHU?
Data center physical environment expert Robert McFarlane discusses the best temperature and humidity control choices for a reader's data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2007
Data center facility control systems
Data centers are mission-critical environments with serious consequences for failure, but many employ the same commercial-style control systems as office buildings. Contributor Steve Blaine discusses why data centers can benefit from industrial PLC/SCADA control systems. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2007
Do dual-corded servers connected to separate uninterruptible power supplies draw power from both?
Dual-corded servers are intended to share the load from UPS systems for overload protection. But do they really work? Expert Robert Macfarlane discusses dual-corded equipment and why data center managers need to be careful when shopping for them. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2007
What is the minimum ceiling height in a data center?
Assessing appropriate ceiling height in the data center can be tricky. It depends on, obviously, how much space you have to work with and factors such as your fire suppression system and cabling. Expert Robert Macfarlane offers some advice. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jun 2006
NFPA 75: Raised floor fire protection
Utilizing separate suppression 'zones' for both above floor and sub-floor spaces is a common practice in areas where the subfloor contains a significant hazard/fuel load. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Jul 2005
Data center raised floors and ceiling height
In this question, Bob McFarlane explains the benefits and drawbacks to different data center designs pertaining to cooling and airflow. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2005
Cooler Nocona processors to power IBM blade servers
IBM plans to start powering blade servers with low voltage Nocona processors. Chips with the Nocona core consume about 55 watts, little more than half of the 103 watts consumed by the regular Xeon. Continue Reading