WO2013076463A1

WO2013076463A1 - Data centre unit

Info

Publication number: WO2013076463A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/052850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen James LEGGE; Stephen James KINGSTON
Original assignee: Gardner Dc Solutions Limited
Priority date: 2011-11-24
Filing date: 2012-11-16
Publication date: 2013-05-30
Also published as: GB201120363D0

Abstract

A substantially autonomous data centre unit which preferably includes ancillary support systems located internally. The data centre unit may alternatively be adapted to connect to a module containing such support systems. A data centre unit is also provided having means to receive removable support members as well as a data centre unit formed as a pre-fabricated building.

Description

Data Centre Unit

This disclosure relates to the general field of data centres and data centre units therefor. It has particular, but not exclusive application, to data centre units which can be located within an existing building, as well as stand-alone data centre units. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to data centre units which can easily be added or removed to data centres according to requirements. The term "data centres" refers to facilities used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunication and storage systems. Data centres are typically located within buildings which house ancillary systems for the data centre units such as power supplies, back-up power supplies, redundant data communications connections,

environmental controls such as air conditioning, fire suppression systems, and security devices. These ancillary facilities are located typically inside the building containing the data centre units, or located external to the building.

Typically, a large room or building may be used to house several data centre units. As businesses and technologies adapt and change, the data centre requirements of an organisation may change correspondingly. For example, if a business expands, there may be a requirement to enlarge the data centre capacity and add more data centre units. Alternatively, the requirements may reduce, and there may no longer be a need for as many data centres units. Therefore, there is a need to provide flexible data centre solutions for organisations and businesses.

Adding or removing data centre units is not a simple task. Removal or addition of data centre units affects remaining data centres units such that substantially reconfiguration of those remaining is required. Shared ancillary systems such as electrical, fire suppressant and other systems need to be reconfigured. Furthermore the remaining data centres often need to be relocated physically. As well as the task of reconfiguring electrical connections of the remaining data centre units, ducting and pipe work for fluids such as water, air and other gasses, has to be re-plumbed. The necessary planning, disconnection, reconnection and testing, is both costly and time consuming. In addition, further problems may be encountered when organisations relocate. The new premises may not be large enough to support all existing data centres. In addition, there may not be a suitable building available for housing the data centre units. Planning permission may be difficult to obtain for new buildings.

Examples of the disclosure overcome the abovementioned problems and provide data centre solutions which offer flexibility and scalability. Aspects of an invention are defined in the appended independent claims.

The term "substantially autonomous" should be understood by the skilled person as data centre units which can function independently without support; e.g. without ancillary systems. In one aspect, the data centre units have their own ancillary systems which are an integral part of the data centre unit. Such systems may include one of more of the following: fire suppression systems, bottling systems, cooling systems, environmental system, security systems, fusing and switch gear. In one example, only electrical power may need to be provided externally; e.g. via a mains socket within the building in which the data centre unit is housed.

Examples will now be described and with reference to the following figures of which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a conventional data centre unit; Figure 2 shows a plan view showing conventional arrangements of data centres within a building;

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a data centre according to one example; Figure 4 shows a sectional plan view illustrating another example; where certain functionality is provided by an ancillary module.

Figure 5 shows a sectional plan view of an ancillary module according to one example; Figure 6 shows a front sectional view according to another example;

Figure 7 shows a further example, where a data centre is provided as a building;

Figure 8 shows a further example, where a data centre is provided as an integral part of a vehicle;

Figure 9 and 10 shows a further examples of a data centre units having modular aspects.

Figure 1 shows a 3 -dimensional view of a conventional data centre unit 1. Typically, a plurality of such data centre units are provided in a room or building. These data centre units generally house racks of electrical equipment 2, such as computer equipment. They may be provided open plan or as a partly enclosed unit. The data centre unit 1 would be located in a building and includes side walls or partitions 3. The data centre unit may include aisles 4 allowing maintenance or installation personnel to enter in order to access the equipment. These aisles may often be air conditioned and are often referred to as "cold aisles".

Figure 2 shows arrangements of data centre units 1, within a building 19. The data centre units require ancillary equipment 5. Such equipment is conventionally located external to the data centre unit, typically in a nearby location in the building, or external to the building. Such ancillary equipment comprises support systems and typically includes items such as fire suppression modules, cooling systems and bottling systems. As mentioned in the introduction, the addition or removal of a data centre units is not a simple operation and requires time consuming rearrangement of electrical connections and pipe/duct work. Ancillary systems are generally shared between data centre units and/or are provided by connections and ducting which is common to more than one data centre unit.

In one aspect, such ancillary equipment and systems are provided as an integral part of the data centre module. The ancillary equipment may be provided external to the data centre module; for example bottling systems may be strapped externally. However in a preferred example, ancillary equipment is provided internally; i.e. inside the data centre unit. Figure 3 shows a data centre unit 1 according to one example. The data centre unit includes external surfaces 6 and may include one of more partition members 7. Computer or other equipment 8 is stored in one portion of the data centre unit. In another portion, ancillary equipment such as a bottling system 9 and/or cooling systems 10 are located. Such a data centre unit can be provided to a customer without the necessity of installing, connection, or testing of such ancillary systems. Furthermore, by providing the ancillary systems required to operate the data centre unit as an integral part of the data centre unit, examples provide for substantially autonomous data centre units. This allows provision of truly modular data centres. This has a number of advantages which will be explained in further detail below. In an example, ancillary equipment is provided in a separate module or "pod", which can be connected to a data centre unit. Figure 4 shows a pod 11, according to one example, which is connectable to a data centre unit 1. The data centre unit includes a corridor 12, either side of which are racks of computer equipment 8. The ancillary module or "pod" 11 which, in this example, is physically connected to the data centre unit, includes equipment such as cooling systems 9 and bottling systems 10. Additionally, security systems or monitoring systems may be provided in the pod.

The data centre pods may also provide ancillary systems for two or more data centre units. This is achieved by the pods being adapted to be connected to one data centre unit each, on either or side of the pod. The skilled person would readily envisage various combinations of data centre unit/pod arrangements. Pods may be provided, for example, on both sides of a data centre unit. The pods and/or data centre units may be provided with physical or structural connection means for connection to each other. Alternatively the pods may be located physically remote from the data centre units, in which case there may be included means to functionally connect the pods to the data centre units.

In the example of figure 4, the pods preferably include means to structurally attach themselves to data centre units. The pods may be provided with electrical connections to the data centre unit. There may also be provided fluid connection means on both the pod and the data centre; e.g. duct work and piping for fluids such as water, air or other gases. The pod may also be provided with access doors 13 for personnel to access the interior. Further doors 14 may be provided to gain access to an adjoining data centre unit. Providing ancillary systems within such modules/pods that are connectable to one or more data centre units, allows a high degree of flexibility when designing data centres. In addition, the use of such pods offers minimal disruption and a high degree of flexibility when reorganising data centres consequent to data centre units being added or removed. Modular power and/or cooling units may be provided as data centre ancillary units in accordance with the present disclosure. Therefore, for example, if a user requires additional power density, the data centre ancillary module containing the power supply may be removed and replaced with a different data centre ancillary module. Accordingly, disruption is minimised and a user does not need to make wholesale changes when upgrading, for example.

There is provided a structural framework or shell for receiving readily-movable structural elements such as walls, partitions, doors etc, and mechanically and electrically, for example, coupling with other like frameworks. The structural framework comprises a plurality of struts, beams and the like arranged to provide a structural shell with mechanical strength which may be configured in accordance with a user's preference and, notably, readily reconfigured in accordance with a change to the user's preferences. The base framework, or structural frame, in accordance with the present disclosure may be considered as being "open" before walls, floors, doors etc are removably-added. It can be understood that this openness provides flexibility when it comes coupling a plurality of units together and configuring, or reconfiguring, the data centre as a whole.

These features of the present disclosure may be contrasted with inflexible fixed structures such as containers - for example, shipping containers - or other structural housings designed to accommodate specific equipment - such as specific server racks. The skilled person will understand that such systems are not readily reconfigurable or expandable, for example, and are not truly modular in the sense of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 shows a pod connectable to a data centre unit. The pod includes a cooling units 15, fire suppression unit 16 (including gas and water bottles), and electrical switch gear 17. An interior wall 18 may be provided.

The aforementioned examples provide for data centre units which are independent i.e.

autonomously functioning. Thus, bespoke data centre solutions can be provided to customers to fit requirements. In preferred examples, all that is needed, is an electrical socket for power supply to the data centre unit. A plurality of data centre units may be provided within a building. They may be physically attached to each other or separate. Being substantially autonomous, if there is a requirement, data centres can be added or removed with little or no hassle.

In another aspect, there are provided data centre units which have the ability to receive additional structural support members. These support members may also be readily removed, e.g. in situ, as and when desired. This allows data centre units to be e.g. stacked if necessary, thus allowing greater flexibility in the design layout of data centres. The data centre units according to this aspect can therefore be adapted for extra rigidity or strength by adding such structural members. Figure 6 shows an example according to one aspect. One data centre unit 21 is stacked on top of another 20. Both data centre units structures include a floor support 23 comprising a strutted support section, on top of which, flooring 24 is overlaid. A similar strutted section may be provided on the roof (not shown). These data centre units are substantially identical. However, as the lower data centre unit has to support the one on top, a structural wall member 25 is provided as shown. This wall member can be added or removed in situ as necessary. The data centre unit may be provided with means to attach or locate the structural members. For example, there may be provided a pair of rails 27, or a slotted portion in the floor and roof of the data centre unit, so that the wall member can be easily slotted into the desired position. The data centre unit may also be provided with bracing members 26, which again can be added or removed with ease in order to provide extra rigidity.

The structural wall member may be located in any axis. For example, rails 27 may be provided in the example on the side walls so as to provide a wall member which divides the data centre unit into front and back portions.

It can therefore be understood that the data centre units in accordance with the present disclosure may be readily reconfigured. For example, the layout of a data centre unit may be readily changed. Furthermore, additional space may be provided by simply coupling further data centre units. For example, additional data centre units may be stacked on top of an existing data centre unit or units. Notably, the data centre units in accordance with the present disclosure are highly flexible and truly modular in nature. In particular, the data centre units are compatible with any computer cabinet or "rack" and may be easily reconfigured to accommodate changes.

Figure 7 shows a further example of a data centre unit 30 provided as a construction suitable for outdoor use. Such a data centre unit can therefore be placed on any spare land, such as in a field. The data centre unit may have one or more weatherproof sides 31 and a roof 32. Such a data centre (unit) can be provided as a prefabricated outdoor building/structure. The data centre unit may have access doors 33. It may also be provided with ventilation means such as a slatted wall panel or doors 34. As shown, the figure shows a view with some external wall panels removed, showing the inside of the data centre unit. Floor support 35, provided by strutted sections, supports a floor 36. Support columns 37 are also shown. Various alternative designs according to this aspect of the disclosure would be clear to the skilled person.

As an alternative to being provided as a prefabricated structure, in one example, one or more walls or the roof may be attached in situ. Such an example reduces transportation weight and bulk. The data centre units may also be provided in kit form for assembly on site. In a particular example, the data centre unit may be provided with means to connect to a roof; the roof being attached on site. The roof and/or one of the walls may be provided with solar panels 38. Guttering (not shown) may also be provided. Such components may also be added to the data centre structure in situ.

The advantage of the above mentioned examples is that there is no requirement for a building to house the data centre units. Figure 8 shows yet a further aspect. In this example, the data centre unit 40 is an integral part of a vehicle 41. The external surfaces of the data centre unit may be the same as the external surfaces of the vehicle, or an integral part of the vehicle chassis. Access to the inside of the data centre unit is preferably thought the rear of the vehicle which is provided with access doors 42. The advantage of such examples is that data centres can be made fully mobile.

In another aspect, data centre units may be provided with electrical or fluid connection means for connection to other data centre units. In this way electricity or fluid, for example, may be supplied to an adjacent data centre unit. Thus, an extra data centre unit can be added to a row or series of data centre units, in a simple manner, such that the last connected can be supplied with electricity or fluid from its neighbour. Figure 9 shows a series of data units 1 with a common fluid conduit 44 passing through the data centre units. Valves 45 are supplied to isolate the fluid conduit.

In some examples, the data centres may be provided with means to allow a wiring connection from another (e.g. adjacent) data centre unit, to pass through it. Electrical connections can thus be provided which can effectively run through a series of data centre units. For example in figure 10, certain systems which are common to a number of data centre units, such as a security or monitoring system 48, may be located external to the data centre units. On each side of the data centres may be located connectors 47 for connection to similar connections on adjacent data centre modules. In this way wiring 46, such as from temperature probes, can effectively run though a series of data centre units, and be connected to the monitoring system 48. In an alternative example, the connectors may be replaced with simple orifices for threading wiring therethrough.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to examples described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention,

Claims

1. A data centre unit arranged to function substantially autonomously, the data centre unit further comprising:

means for adding or removing structural elements; and connection means for structurally or functionally connecting to other data centre units.

2. A data centre unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said structural elements comprise at least one selected from the group comprising structural support members, walls, wall members, partition members, struts or bracing members.

3. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the means for adding or removing structural elements comprises a slotted portion and/or rails for receiving at least one structural element.

4. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said connection means comprises electrical or fluid connection means, for connection to another data centre unit.

5. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim in which the connection means are adapted to provide electricity or fluid to an adjacent data centre unit.

6. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim having means to allow a wiring connection from another data centre unit to pass through it.

7. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein ancillary systems therefor, are provided as an integral part of the data centre unit.

8. A data centre unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein one or more of the following ancillary systems are provided as an integral part of the data centre unit: fire suppression system, bottling system, cooling system, security system, environmental controls, fusing, switch gear, power supply units, monitoring systems, lighting, and

humidification systems.

9. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim which requires only an electrical power supply connection to function autonomously.

10. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said ancillary systems are located internally within the data centre unit.

1 1. A data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim adapted to be connected to, or having, one or more external surfaces which are adapted for outdoor use, optionally, weatherproofed, insulated and/or provided with solar panels.

12. A data centre comprising a data centre unit as claimed in any preceding claim and further comprising a replaceable data centre ancillary module, having means to connect to the data centre unit, said data centre ancillary module including one or more ancillary systems for the data centre unit.

13. A data centre as claimed in claim 12 wherein said ancillary systems of the data centre ancillary module include one or more of the following: fire suppression system, bottling system, cooling system, security system, environmental system, fusing, switch gear, power supply units, monitoring systems, lighting, and humidification systems.

14. A data centre as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the data centre unit further comprises means to connect to the data centre ancillary module.

15. A data centre as claimed in claims 12 to 14 wherein said means to connect comprises one or more of the following: structural/physical connection means, an access door, electrical connection means and fluid connection means.

16. A data centre as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15 wherein the ancillary systems of the data centre ancillary module are adapted to be connectable and/or to support a plurality of data centre units.

17. A data centre as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16 which is an integral part of a vehicle.