The document discusses Uptime Institute Tiers and strategies for optimizing data center infrastructure and cooling systems. It describes common single points of failure in data center power and HVAC systems and recommends designing redundancy into critical systems. It also analyzes how cable cutouts and open rack spaces can disrupt cold aisle containment and proposes solutions like patching openings and installing blanking panels to restore optimal airflow. Overall the document provides guidance on evaluating and improving data center airflow modeling, cooling capacity, and reliability through investigation methods and opportunities to optimize systems.

1. Uptime Institute - Tiers

2. Uptime Institute

3. Typical Data Center Power Utility Power HVAC Panel Automatic Transfer Switch UPS Generator Power CRAC Units Dist. Panel PDU’s Dist. Data Center Servers

4. What Could Fail? Utility Power HVAC Panel Automatic Transfer Switch UPS Generator Power CRAC Units Dist. Panel PDU’s Dist. Data Center Servers Power Sources Crash Crash Single Points of Failure

12. Temperature X Axis

13. Temperature Z Axis

14. Thermal Cloud The next slide show the air temperature ranges as a thermal cloud. Thermal cloud: A volume of air that is all the same temperature. Low Temp. Thermal Cloud: The first cloud represents the coldest area of the data center. This is the area where air is over delivered. It is also the best area to install new equipment. Average Temp. Thermal Cloud: The second cloud represents the area of the data center that is 70 degrees F. This cloud should be in the hot aisles near the ceilings and in areas that do not require cooling.

15. Low Temp. Thermal Cloud No Hot Aisle/ Cold Aisle – all Aisles cold Wasted Air from over-delivery

16. Proper Data Center Airflow Server Racks Air Diffuser Grill Floor Plenum Ceiling Plenum Hot Air Cold Air Return Air Grill Cold Air

17. Cable Cutouts in Raised Floor

18. Effect on Air Flow From Cutouts Wire Cutouts Cool Air Air Velocity Decreases Cold Air Not Used Top Server Hot

19. Return to Optimum Airflow Wire Cutouts Patched Hot Aisle Maintained Top Server Receives Cooling Air Velocity Back to Normal

20. Proper Data Center Airflow Server Racks Air Diffuser Grill Floor Plenum Ceiling Plenum Hot Air Cold Air Return Air Grill Cold Air

21. Effects of Open U’s in Rack Floor Plenum Ceiling Plenum Warm Air Cold Air Air Velocity Decreases Top Server Hot Cold Air Not Used

22. Blanking Panel Installed

23. Return to Optimum Airflow