Aisle Containment for Optimal Data Centre Performance
Introduction
Aisle containment is a highly effective method for improving data centre cooling efficiency and reducing energy consumption. By managing airflow, you can create a more sustainable and cost-effective data centre while supporting high-performance reliability.
As data centres continue to evolve to support artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing, and ever-increasing workloads, efficient data centre cooling has never been more critical. Rising energy costs and sustainability and renewable energy targets mean IT leaders must find smarter ways to optimise their IT infrastructure.
What is Aisle Containment?
Aisle containment is a thermal management strategy that improves airflow and data centre cooling efficiency by separating hot and cold air within a data centre. There are two primary types:
- Hot Aisle Containment (HAC): Encloses hot aisles, directing warm exhaust air back to cooling units.
- Cold Aisle Containment (CAC): Encloses cold aisles, preventing cool air from mixing with hot exhaust air.
By preventing hot and cold air from mixing, aisle containment systems create a controlled thermal environment. This increases data centre cooling efficiency, reducing overall data centre energy consumption. Research has shown that this method can reduce cooling power consumption by an average of 30% for both hot and cold contained aisles.
Key Benefits of Aisle Containment in Data Centres
1. Enhanced Data Centre Cooling Efficiency
Efficient airflow management is critical in data centres, particularly with the increasing adoption of AI workloads. The latest NetShelter Aisle Containment solutions can improve cooling capacity by up to 20%, supporting optimal thermal management even for the densest IT environments.
2. Lower Energy Consumption and Cost Savings
Cooling infrastructure accounts for a significant portion of data centre energy usage. Aisle containment solutions improve airflow control, reducing cooling costs by up to 30%. This reduction in energy demand also aligns with data centre sustainability goals. This helps organisations meet efficiency targets while lowering operational expenses.
3. Increased IT Equipment Reliability
Consistent temperatures are crucial for preventing data centre hardware failures and extending the lifespan of IT equipment. By maintaining predictable airflow patterns and minimising temperature fluctuations, this helps prevent overheating, supporting long-term equipment reliability.
4. Scalability and Future-Proofing Data Centres
It is a key component in designing scalable and modular data centre environments. As IT infrastructure demands grow, the new NetShelter SX Gen2 racks can support 25% more weight than previous models. This makes them ideal for accommodating heavier, denser AI and high-performance computing equipment.
Best Practices for Implementing Aisle Containment
Choosing the Right Solution
The choice between hot and cold aisle containment depends on several factors. Some of these include data centre size, existing cooling systems, and future scalability. Data Centre UK provides expert consultation to assess the best strategy for your facility.
Integration with Other Data Centre Solutions
Aisle containment works best when combined with advanced Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software, UPS systems, and PDUs. Supporting seamless IT integration with other power and cooling solutions maximises efficiency and performance.
Compliance and Data Centre Sustainability Considerations
Modern data centres must align with data centre sustainability goals and industry regulations. Schneider Electric’s NetShelter SX Gen2 racks lower the overall climate change impact by approximately 3.3% per rack. They are designed to be 97% recyclable, supporting greener data centre operations.
Why Choose Data Centre UK for Aisle Containment Solutions?
As the UK’s Number 1 Schneider Elite Partner, Data Centre UK designs and delivers cutting-edge solutions that improve efficiency and data centre sustainability. With a strong track record in healthcare, financial services, and government sectors, we specialise in modular data centre and containerised solutions tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
Aisle containment is a game-changer for modern data centre performance. By reducing data centre cooling power consumption, enhancing energy efficiency, and supporting future scalability, it provides a cost-effective way to optimise your IT infrastructure.
Ready to enhance your data centre’s efficiency? Contact our team of experts today to discuss how we can help you future-proof your IT infrastructure.
