Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Colocation and Data Centers : Best rack arrangement for cooling?

[nikko]

The MRI lab I'm converting into a DC only has partial raised floors. All AC, supply and returns, will be overhead. Since I have control over where the returns and supplies are located, what rack arrangement would be most efficient? Is Hot/Cold aisle still the best method, with returns above the hot aisle and supply blowing straight down into the cold aisle? I've also heard of a 'random' arrangement, where every other rack in each row is backwards.

[KarlZimmer]

Hot aisle/cold aisle is still best, and I'd recommend going with hot aisle or cold aisle containment, if possible.

[Zitibake]

I think you wrote that you had lots of height, but not much floor space in the colo room? Liebert has a couple of products that play to that market (XDO/XDV). There is a 33"x36" unit that could sit outside the colo room, and provides 40 tons of cooling to fan-coils that hang above, or else sit on top of the server cabinets inside the colo room.

[Adam_OC3]

I've never heard or seen that "random" arrangement and honestly sounds very weird. So far hot row and cold row has been the best with cold row containment probably being the most efficient

[FastServ]

hot-cold by far is the best method. If you instead face each rack opposite the one next to it, you'll end up with a bunch of hot air loops and unhappy customers.

[Adam_OC3]

yup, that'll definitely be pretty weird. im trying to imagine different scenarios and dont see it working