Cooling system management for server facility

Abstract

A Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) Unit conditions and provides cooling air to a first zone. A second zone collects return air from the first zone, where multiple servers are positioned between the first zone and the second zone such that air heated by the servers is pushed into the second zone. The first zone is bound from the second zone by one or more racks housing the servers and insulating materials in an area between each server to prevent the cooling air in the first zone from mixing with the return air in the second zone. A third zone, representing a remaining area of the server facility, is maintained at a predefined temperature, where the temperature is higher than a temperature of the first zone and lower than a temperature of the second zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to manage a cooling system in a server facility, the method comprising:
 providing cooling air from a Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) unit to a first zone; and   collecting return air from the first zone in a second zone, wherein a plurality of servers are positioned between the first zone and the second zone such that air heated by the servers is pushed into the second zone and the first zone is substantially thermally insulated from a remainder of the server facility.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of servers are positioned in one or more racks that form a boundary between the first zone and the second zone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first zone is in contact with front ends of the plurality of servers and the second zone is in contact with back ends of the plurality of servers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 causing the plurality of servers to take in the cooling air provided to the first zone through an intake entry in the front ends of the plurality of servers and circulate the cooling air through the plurality of servers.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 causing the plurality of servers to expel the heated air into the second zone through an opening in the back ends of the plurality of servers.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 insulating a ceiling of the first zone with insulating materials, wherein the first zone is shaped substantially as a corridor with one or more racks of servers forming opposing walls.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 insulating an area between each server in the one or more racks at a boundary of the first zone and the second zone with insulating materials to prevent the cooling air and return air from mixing.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 employing a temperature monitoring system, wherein the temperature monitoring system measures an air temperature in each zone and an air temperature in an external environment.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 in response to a determination that air in the external environment is at a lower temperature than return air in the second zone:
 expelling the return air in the second zone into the external environment; 
 taking in the air from the external environment; and 
 providing the air from the external environment to the CRAH unit. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 in response to a determination that air in the external environment is at a higher temperature than the return air in the second zone, providing the return air to the CRAH unit.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 conditioning the cooling air using one or more of cooling coils and chilled water.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 maintaining a predefined temperature of a third zone, wherein the temperature of the third zone is higher than a temperature of the first zone and lower than a temperature of the second zone.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a temperature of the cooling air is in a range from about 50° F. to 75° F. 
     
     
         14 . A temperature management system for a server facility, the system comprising:
 a Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) unit configured to provide cooling air to a first zone;   the first zone bounded from a second zone by one or more racks housing a plurality of servers and insulating materials in an area between each server, wherein the first zone is substantially thermally insulated from a remaining portion of the server facility; and   the second zone configured to collect return air from the first zone, wherein the plurality of servers are positioned between the first zone and the second zone such that heated air by the servers is expelled into the second zone.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the insulating materials are selected based on one or more of local regulations, state regulations, federal regulations, and industry standards. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the insulating materials are further selected based on fire suppression and security capabilities. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature management system further comprises a temperature monitoring system, the temperature monitoring system configured to:
 measure an air temperature in each zone and an air temperature in an external environment;   compare the air temperature in the external environment to the temperature of the return air in the second zone; and   provide one of air from the external environment and the return air to the CRAH unit based on a result of the comparison.   
     
     
         18 . A method to manage a cooling system in a server facility, the method comprising:
 providing cooling air from a Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) unit to a first zone, wherein the first zone is substantially thermally insulated from a remaining portion of the server facility;   collecting return air from the first zone in a second zone, wherein a plurality of servers are positioned between the first zone and the second zone such that air heated by the servers is pushed into the second zone; and   maintaining a predefined temperature in a third zone, wherein the temperature of the third zone is higher than a temperature of the first zone and lower than a temperature of the second zone.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 insulating one or more of a ceiling of the first zone and an area between each server positioned at a boundary between the first zone and the second zone.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the third zone represents a remaining area of the server facility housing fire suppression, security, and monitoring systems.