Precise cooling in the DFKI server room
i-NEXT series – new standards for precise cooling
Kaiserslautern, GermanyPinpoint cooling in limited space. The RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series fulfils the new, increased requirements for IT cooling with aplomb. A perfect example is the new supercomputer in the server room of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI).
It causes significantly higher heat loads in the smallest space, which is precisely air-conditioned by the i-NEXT series in compliance with climate protection requirements. Hence, an ecological use of energy was paramount – this has never been more important than today. For this reason, a state-of-the-art concept for cooling the new DKI server room was implemented.
The new supercomputer is located in a purpose-built server room in the basement of the DFKI headquarters in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The competence centre focuses its research on deep learning and machine learning algorithms. DFKI is the first institution in Europe to receive an NVIDIA DGX-2 supercomputer to further expand this unique infrastructure from basic research to industry knowledge transfer. This machine is currently regarded as the world’s most powerful computer for modern AI processes.
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- Precision IT cooling for the new supercomputer at DFKI
- Climate protection compliant concept for maximum cooling in the smallest space
- New benchmark for IT cooling with the RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series
Layout and implementation of the server room air conditioning
Technical requirementsThe high computing power leads to significantly higher heat loads in the relatively small server room, increasing the research centre’s IT cooling requirements. Without air conditioning, the devices in server rooms heat up and can quickly reach a temperature of over 40 degrees. Hence, the main requirement for cooling a server room is to accommodate a high cooling capacity in a very small space with comparatively low energy input.
The optimum temperature for a server room is between 21 °C and 25 °C. However, requirements such as noise protection must also be taken into account in outdoor areas. Neighbouring residents should not be disturbed by noise from outdoor units.
Maximum server performance, minimal sound emission
The noise protection regulations set strict limits to ensure that neighbouring residents are not disturbed by noise from equipment placed outdoors.
A major advantage of the RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series is its minimal sound emission in residential environments.
This important requirement for the air conditioning of a server room is achieved by placing the air-conditioning cabinets with their EC fans, speed-controlled compressors, and pump station indoors. Moreover, the heat exchangers placed in the outdoor area feature generously dimensioned surfaces and larger sized fans than the normally used standard versions.
Intelligent energy management in precision air-conditioning cabinets
The server room air conditioning follows the down-flow principle design to implement optimal and energy-efficient cooling. Whilst air is taken into the air-conditioning cabinet from the top, it is discharged downwards into a raised floor. Outlets in the raised floor that are located at the front of the racks ensure optimal air distribution in the data centre. This leads to a cold aisle being formed on the air intake side of the racks. The racks take the cold air in and blow the warm air into the duct at the rear known as warm aisle, which is then in turn taken in and cooled by the respective air-conditioning cabinet in operation.
A cold aisle containment was chosen in this project to precisely control the cold air in the server room. The warm and cold aisles and the adjusted air flow ensure a constant temperature. This results in more stable working conditions and in an increased efficiency of the entire air conditioning.
For a large part of the operating time, the precision air-conditioning cabinets operate either in hybrid or in complete free-cooling mode. In regular operation, cooling is initially carried out with water via the free cooling function. If the heat loads exceed a certain reference point, a compressor is activated, which additionally cools the intake air by means of a refrigerant circuit. If the cooling requirements exceed another reference temperature, the second compressor in the air-conditioning cabinet will be activated to maintain the temperature of 21 °C required by the manufacturer on the new supercomputer.
The RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series
Benefits
Precise cooling and exact humidity control
In contrast to conventional air-conditioning solutions for modern data centres, the RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series provides significant benefits. This implies that besides the optimum performance to footprint ratio, it also offers the elements of cost efficiency and climate protection conformity.
The RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series is committed to the accurate and pinpoint air conditioning of plant and server rooms as well as data centres. It is also possible to transfer data to a higher-level monitoring and remote maintenance system.
Key facts in short
Summary- Precision air conditioning for servers, plant rooms andData processing facilities: The RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series system is committed to pinpoint air conditioning to maintain 21 °C.
- Energy-saving and noise-optimised: Minimal sound emission – even local residents in the immediate vicinity will not be disturbed by outdoor units. Cooling also accounts for a high proportion of energy consumption. Again, however, the concept was implemented with a view to minimising power consumption.
- Optimum performance to footprint ratio: Space-saving – in contrast to “normal” computers – and yet highly efficient. The RC IT Cooling i-NEXT series offers maximum computing power in a very small space.
- Data transfer to a higher-level monitoring and remote maintenance system: It is possible to transfer all i-NEXT series data to a higher-level monitoring and remote maintenance system. For even more security.
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