Over the past few decades, the increasingly rapid development of data center technology has fundamentally reshaped the information technology landscape. As the demand for data processing and storage continues to surge, often driven by the proliferation of cloud computing, big data requirements, and the growth of artificial intelligence, efficient data center cooling systems in data centers have become increasingly important from a management perspective.
Traditional air-cooled systems were once the backbone of data center cooling. However, they are now being outpaced by growing heat densities and the rising energy demands of modern equipment. This is where liquid cooled solutions come in. They constitute the next pivotal step in the evolution of data center technology. Why? Because they offer enhanced efficiency, greater cooling capacity, and significant environmental benefits. Find out more about why liquid cooled solutions are the future of data centers.
What Is Liquid Cooling?
To begin with, note that air cooling relies on fans and air circulation to dissipate heat. Liquid cooling, by contrast, does not. Instead, it utilizes the superior thermal conductivity of liquid to transfer heat away from hardware such as CPUs and GPUs as efficiently as possible. Several approaches to water cooling exist. An outline of each water cooling method follows.
Direct Liquid Cooling
With this method, water or a coolant is circulated directly to any components that are generating heat. Cold plates are attached to processors, GPUs, or other high-heat components, for example. These are typically made of highly conductive materials such as copper or aluminum. A liquid coolant flows through these plates. As it does so, it absorbs heat, which is then carried away and dissipated outside the data center.
Indirect Liquid Cooling
Such systems use a combination of air and liquid cooling methods. While air is still employed to cool the server racks, the air itself is cooled using a liquid cooling loop. A common method involves using rear door heat exchangers (RDHx), which are positioned directly behind the server racks. RDHx units are closer to the heat sources compared to traditional computer room air conditioners (CRACs), making them more efficient at capturing and dissipating heat. Additionally, so-called in-row cooling units can be deployed in this sort of setup. Note that, with this approach, liquid coolant absorbs heat from the air and not from the heat-generating components themselves.
Immersion Cooling
Immersion cooling involves submerging entire servers. A thermally conductive but electrically insulating liquid is used for this purpose. This particular cooling method provides efficient heat removal and has the additional benefit of allowing for high-density server configurations. With immersion cooling, heat generated by the components is directly transferred to the liquid. It is subsequently pumped to a heat exchanger to be cooled and, only then, recirculated.
Guidance on Transitioning to Liquid Cooled Data Centers
Moving from traditional air-cooled systems to liquid cooled solutions isn’t always easy and typically requires a degree of planning. Read on to find out how data center managers can make this transition as easy as possible.
Assessment and Planning
To begin with, make an honest assessment of the efficiency of currently installed air-cooled systems. Try to identify areas where cooling performance is sub-par or causing particular issues. Set clear goals because this will help to define objectives and desirable outcomes for the transition. Examples might include energy savings, improved cooling capacity, and environmental impact reduction. Additionally, budgetary planning will be necessary to estimate the costs involved in the transition project.
Upgraded Design and Infrastructure
Deploying the right solution for the data center in question means first selecting the most appropriate liquid cooling method. Depending on the data center’s specific needs, this is probably going to be one of the aforementioned solutions - immersion cooling, direct liquid cooling, or indirect liquid cooling. Infrastructure modifications might be needed, as well. Anything from the installation of cold plates to the deployment of pumps may be necessary. Heat exchangers and coolant distribution units might be needed, too. Partnering with experienced vendors with sufficient experience in liquid cooling solutions will undoubtedly help in this regard.
Implementation and Testing
Following the design process, a careful installation process for the chosen liquid cooling system can begin. Ideally, this will only involve minimal disruption and downtime to ongoing operations. Conduct thorough tests as the installation progresses. Any necessary adjustments should follow testing to improve the setup. Operational factors, such as flow rate or temperature setpoints, for example, may need adjustments to optimize cooling performance. Training and Maintenance
Finally, staff training shouldn’t be overlooked in any transition project of this nature. Data center personnel must be reasonably well-versed in the operation and the maintenance regime the new water-cooling system will require. If not, they won’t be able to establish a regular maintenance scheme, which could compromise the long-term reliability and efficiency of the cooling infrastructure.
Although adopting a liquid cooled solution may require careful planning and execution, in many data centers, the benefits are certainly worth it. Adopting more efficient cooling systems is advantageous in numerous ways. This accounts for why so many businesses are moving in this direction today. Liquid cooled solutions, for instance, typically bring about considerable cost savings. This is due to their superior energy efficiency in a time of higher energy costs. After all, lower energy consumption translates directly into reduced operational costs (OPEX). Even better, water-cooled systems tend to require less maintenance than their air-cooled counterparts. The reduced wear and tear on cooling components results in a lower maintenance regime, not to mention a longer lifespan for the cooling infrastructure. This is largely due to the absence of high-speed fans and moving parts needed in air-cooled systems. By adopting these advanced cooling systems, those who have invested significantly in their data center infrastructures will be able to ensure operational reliability.
Commercial Benefits of Liquid Cooled Data Centers
Adopting more efficient cooling systems is advantageous in numerous ways. This accounts for why so many businesses are moving in this direction today. Liquid cooled solutions, for instance, typically bring about considerable cost savings. This is due to their superior energy efficiency in a time of higher energy costs.
By adopting these advanced cooling systems, those who have invested significantly in their data center infrastructures will be able to ensure operational reliability.
For more information visit: Supermicro Rack-Scale Liquid Cooling Solutions
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