White Paper

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Cooling decisions based on room layout
If facility characteristics allow several cooling options, the rack layout can suggest which cooling
strategy should be used. Figure 12 compares two data center layouts, each with four rows of racks.
Figure 12A shows two pairs of rows with each pair facing each other to create two cold aisles and
three hot aisles. This layout lends itself to a cold-aisle cooling strategy since only two rows require
containment. Figure 12B shows a layout with only one pair of rows facing each other, resulting in
three cold aisles and two hot aisles. In this case, a hot-aisle containment strategy might be preferred
since only two rows require containment.
Figure 12: Cooling strategies based on room layout (top view)
Cooling decisions based on server density/power per rack
Your room characteristics and data center layout can suggest a specific cooling strategy, but
equipment density and power consumption ultimately determine the best choice. We can make some
general assumptions:
• Traditional data center cooling is adequate for racks using up to 10 kW.
• Racks using 15 kW or more will likely require some form of containment strategy.
• Closed-loop cooling accommodates the widest range of server/power densities.
A: Layout suggesting cold-aisle containment
B: Layout suggesting hot-aisle containment
Hot aisle Cold aisle