By Marc Cram, Director of New Market Development, Legrand
The ability of data centers to manage bigger, more complex challenges necessitates an increase in the performance of their power distribution equipment. Server cabinets, racks, and individual servers must be built for maximum flexibility to meet the growing energy demands of their particular and challenging situations.
Whether focused on supercomputing or artificial intelligence, data centers are distinctive in form factor and physical architecture. Data centers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be housed within an existing building on campus, with modifications to support the additional demands put on the power and cooling systems. Sometimes, a new data center is built expressly for that purpose. Administrators must devise unique solutions for providing energy, cooling, networking, and other services in both cases.
Edge computing is intended to bring applications and data closer to our devices—and us. But it presents a distinct set of obstacles compared to massive supercomputing and AI apps. There is much less space for electricity distribution equipment in many situations, resulting in less room for power distributors. Because edge computing occurs remotely, you must maintain remote connectivity and repair any necessary problems in a different location.
Big Data Requires Big Power
Whether streaming Stranger Things on Netflix or posting an mp4 file on TikTok, both cause a domino effect that leads to power consumption. Not just with personal devices but in data centers worldwide where that information resides.
Then throw in High-Performance Computing installations tasked with carrying out large-scale computations to solve complex problems that require a lot of data or have enormous computing power at their disposal, and you have added significantly to global power consumption.
Some of the world’s largest data centers contain tens of thousands of IT devices and require more than 100 megawatts (MW) of power to run, equivalent to powering around 80,000 US households (US DOE 2020). With this massive energy, demand comes the challenge of managing power distribution on a more granular level.
Individual Applications Create Unique Challenges
Most data center applications may be met with off-the-shelf and semi-custom solutions. However, the need for continuous improvement in efficiency and sustainability has led to many HPC installations, AI apps, hyperscale data centers, and telecom operators investing in custom solutions for layout, power density, cooling, and connectivity.
Artificial Intelligence demands a particular set of specialized hardware to maximize performance. Because edge computing is inherently distributed, AI at the edge requires a more distinctive design than centralized data centers. 5G technologies will also have an impact on data center design. The high bandwidth and low latency of 5G will enable a new class of applications that require real-time data processing. This, in turn, will drive the need for data centers closer to the network’s edge.
Custom data center design tailors a data center’s layout, power density, cooling, and connectivity to the specific needs of the applications that will use it. Companies can do this by designing a new data center from scratch or retrofitting an existing one. Custom data center design is often necessary for high-performance computing. For example, supercomputing applications need equipment close together to maximize throughput. As a result, each application has its own power distribution challenges.
Supercomputers don’t have much space for distributing power going into the racks since processing and CRACs (computer room air conditioning) take up so much room. So, deploying PDUs in a situation like this is problematic, requiring a bespoke solution.
Potential Bespoke Solutions For Power Distribution Challenges
Some data centers have a lot of equipment in a tiny space. In these cases, it can be challenging to find room to deploy PDUs. One solution is to use PDUs that are specifically designed for high-density applications. These PDUs can be mounted in numerous ways, including on the ceiling or under a raised floor. Another solution is to use modular PDUs. These PDUs are made up of multiple modules deployed in different areas of the data center. This allows for a more customized solution tailored to the data center’s specific needs.
Moreover, a zero-u PDU may not fit in the rack’s rear, forcing the PDU to rest on the racks’ edges. At the same time, larger frames with more servers create high outlet density situations. One way to solve this problem is by deploying a short PDU, which can be placed on the floor or in another location outside the rack.
High-density PDUs are available in various form factors, including vertical and horizontal. The choice of form factor will depend on the specific needs of the data center. The energy efficiency of PDUs is also an important consideration, as data centers strive to reduce their power consumption.
There are various Intelligent Rack PDUs with monitoring capabilities that may require high power density for the shelves. In addition, intelligent PDUs come with built-in metering capabilities; this allows data center operators to monitor the power consumption of the equipment plugged into the PDU. This information can be used to optimize the data center’s power usage and to identify potential problems.
Artificial intelligence technologies require enormous processing power and energy to run training algorithms. AI apps are characterized by their sizeable internal bandwidth between boxes/nodes and optical connections.
If you’re working on an AI facility’s power distribution plan, you’ll need a PDU to assist with capacity planning and maximize energy use. Because high-density and high-power installations test the capabilities of typical PDUs, the solution may be to utilize a more creative option, such as custom-designed PDUs built for specific purposes.
Edge data centers are smaller computational devices closer to the people they serve. They offer cloud computing services and cached material to clients. Edge data centers also save money by lowering bandwidth requirements and reducing latency.
On the other hand, edge data centers must operate in a wide range of temperature conditions. Because environmental sensors are necessary for ensuring against temperature and power extremes beyond the equipment’s operational capabilities, these data centers may require them to function across broad operating temperature ranges.
Another benefit of edge computing is that it’s a great candidate for remotely monitoring energy use. Because they are remote, different power distribution methods must be employed, including:
- PDUs with onboard communications that can schedule outlet power on and off.
- PDUs capable of shedding the power load to maximize battery power uptime if the unit exceeds thresholds.
- Your operating environment dictates that the PDU go beyond the usual 0-140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Data Centers Deserve Customized PDUs
Off-the-shelf and semi-custom solutions for remote access, power, and white space infrastructure meet the needs of conventional data center applications. However, supercomputing, AI, and edge data centers often require customized solutions. Part of the customization should give careful thought to power distribution throughout the rack. However, monitoring the rack’s environmental conditions should also be a priority.
Highly-specialized data centers deserve PDUs that meet their rack’s unique power and monitoring requirements. In these cases, it’s best to work with a trusted partner to design and build a PDU that can fit your technological needs today, tomorrow, and years from now.
Bio
Marc Cram is Director of New Market Development for Legrand’s Data, Power, and Control division, which includes the Raritan and Server Technology brands. A technology evangelist, he is driven by a passion for delivering a positive power experience for the data center owner/operator. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rice University and has more than 30 years of experience in electronics.