Types of cooling technologies
Precision air conditioning (CRAC/CRAH): traditional cooling for data centers. Row-level cooling: small AC units deployed between server rows. Liquid cooling (cold plate / immersion): removes heat directly with a liquid. Free cooling: uses cold outside air or water.
- CRAC/CRAH: the primary cooling method in traditional data centers
- In-row cooling: compact cooling units installed between server racks
- Liquid cooling: cold plates or immersion transfer heat directly into liquid
- Free cooling: use cool outside air or water
Optimizing cooling efficiency
Hot/cold aisle containment: prevent hot and cold air from mixing. Hotspot treatment: targeted cooling for high-density zones. Cold-aisle control: adjust airflow to load. Cooling map: visualize temperature distribution and optimize layout. Key advantages: lower PUE, longer equipment life, fewer failures, support for higher density.