Cold Aisle Containment Solutions & Products
Containment solutions are a hot topic in the data center industry.
With the rise of hyperscale data centers, and the need for more efficient cooling systems, many companies are looking for new solutions, such as cold aisle containment.
This has increased the popularity of cold aisle containment products and solutions.
There are a variety of products on the market today, ranging from simple server racks with integrated containment features to fully-customizable modular solutions.
In this article, we will explore the different types of cold aisle containment products available, and how they may be helpful for you.
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What is cold aisle containment?
Before we get into the products, it is important to know what a cold aisle containment system is.
Cold aisle containment is a method of separating hot and cold air and preventing air leakage via the installation of roof panels and aisle end doors in data centers.
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits to cold aisle containment systems including:
- Improved energy efficiency
- More effective cooling of IT equipment
- Greater energy savings
- Can be retrofitted into existing data center facilities
Cold aisle containment can also help to improve the overall reliability and performance of your data center.
What is the difference between cold aisle and hot aisle containment?
Cold aisle containment is not the only type of data center containment and hot aisle containment (HAC) also exists.
Hot aisle and cold aisle containment systems are similar in that they both involve separating the hot and cold aisles in a data center.
The main difference is precisely which aisle is contained.
In hot aisle containment, hot exhaust air is contained.
Where a hot aisle containment method is designed to isolate the hot equipment exhaust air in an aisle and direct it into a cooling unit, cold aisle containment ensures cool air has a contained path
Hot and cold aisle containment systems ultimately both have a similar advantage of improving cooling efficiency.
There are some advantages to hot aisle containment, such as more significantly improving efficiency, however cold aisle containment is usually cheaper and easier to implement into an existing data center.
How do I choose a product?
Data center operators have the difficult job of determining which products to implement into new or existing data centers.
Selecting the right product for your data center will depend on a number of factors, including the size and layout of your facility, the types of equipment you are using, and your specific needs and goals.
Some of the most popular cold aisle containment products on the market include:
1. Server racks with integrated containment features
Server racks with integrated containment features are a popular type of cold aisle containment product.
These racks include built-in features that help to contain the hot air and improve cooling efficiency.
Some of the most common features found on server racks with integrated containment features include:
- Perforated doors/sides that allow air to flow in and out of the rack
- Integrated baffles or partitions that help to direct the airflow and keep the hot air separate from the cold air
- A front or rear door that can be opened to provide access to the IT equipment inside the rack
Many server racks with integrated containment features also include fans or blowers that help to move the air around and improve cooling performance.
2. Modular cold aisle containment solutions
Modular cold aisle containment solutions are a popular type of product for data centers.
These solutions allow you to customize the layout and configuration of your data center, which can help to improve cooling efficiency and performance.
Modular cold aisle containment solutions include a variety of components, such as:
- Panels, such as blanking panels
- Frames
- Doors
You can configure these components to create a custom solution that meets the specific needs of your data center. This flexibility allows you to adapt your cold aisle containment solution as your facility changes and grows.
Modular cold aisle containment solutions are often easier to install and relocate than other types of products. They also offer a higher level of flexibility, which can be helpful when your data center is in flux.
3. Active cooling systems for data centers
Cooling systems are an important part of maintaining a healthy and efficient data center.
These systems use fans or other devices to actively circulate the air in the data center, which helps to keep the IT equipment cool.
Active cooling systems are an important part of cold aisle containment solutions, as they help to move the air around and improve cooling performance.
There are a number of different cooling systems on the market today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Here are some of the most popular types of active cooling systems:
Air curtains
Air curtains are a type of active cooling system that uses a fan to blow air across the opening of the data center. This air helps to keep the hot air out and the cold air in. Air curtains can be used in conjunction with other active cooling systems, such as ceiling fans or pedestal fans, to improve cooling performance.
Ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are a type of active cooling system that uses fans to circulate the air in the data center. These fans can be mounted directly in the ceiling or suspended from it. They help to move the air around and improve cooling performance.
Pedestal fans
Pedestal fans are another type of dan used that can be mounted on the floor or on a pedestal. Pedestal fans are a popular choice for data centers because they are easy to install and they offer a high level of flexibility.
The right cold aisle containment product for you
There are a variety of cold aisle containment solutions and products on the market today.
We’ve looked at three popular types of cold aisle containment products: server racks with integrated containment features, modular cold aisle containment solutions, and active cooling systems.
All of these products can help to improve cooling efficiency in your data center. However, each has its own unique benefits that you should consider before making a purchase.
If you are still looking for more information on data center energy efficiency or want to understand products used for hot aisle containment check out our articles on the topics.
