Data-Center-Overheats

What Happens if a Data Center Overheats?

Data-Center-Overheats

What Happens if a Data Center Overheats?

Data centers are an important part of our lives. We rely on them to store and process the data that is essential for our businesses and personal lives, like emails, e-commerce transactions, and more. One of the most potentially devastating risks these facilities face is their hardware and other equipment overheating. Every once in a while, this possibility becomes a reality for an unfortunate data center, and it’s important to know what this means for them. What happens if a data center overheats? 

Overheating in data centers exposes vital hardware and relevant equipment to temperatures they are not designed to withstand. This could cause component damage, server malfunctions, and even system failures, which is why preventative measures and cooling methods are crucial in these facilities. 

In this article, we will discuss the consequences of a data center overheating in more detail as well as potential causes for this issue. As you read, you will also learn what solutions data centers implement to remedy and/or prevent their hardware and equipment from overheating. 

Effects of Overheating in Data Centers 

Sometimes, the best way to ensure individuals who manage and run a data center implement all the safety and preventative measures necessary regarding overheating is by detailing the gravity of its effects should this happen in their facility.  

Simply put, overheating can be devastating in a data center, resulting in: 

  • The inability of relevant parties to access associated services (ex. social media, Cloud data, computational loss, etc.) 
  • Component damage that requires repairs or replacement 
  • E-waste and sustainability issues 
  • Complete system failures or meltdowns that render the hardware vulnerable 
  • Ignition of graphics cards and other parts 
  • Loss of data 
  • Loss in uptime and productivity 
  • Reduction in consumer trust 

If a data center is lucky, its overheated hardware will simply shut down to protect itself and then reboot once temperatures have reached a safe level again. However, even the briefest outage will be a significant inconvenience for anyone who utilizes services supported by your data center’s hardware. 

This could have profound consequences regarding a data center’s public relations, which demonstrates how the effects of overheating aren’t just limited to the facility’s equipment, but its reputation and reliability.  

It’s also important that in the worst-case scenario, a data center’s hardware overheating could cause its components to ignite, which poses a serious safety risk to employees and anyone else in the facility. So, it is in the best interest of everyone to do whatever it takes to prevent this from occurring in the first place. 

What Causes Overheating in Data Centers? 

The first step in preventing data centers from overheating (apart from understanding the effects of this issue) is ultimately what causes it.  

While this will differ between data centers, the most common causes of hardware overheating include: 

  • Presence of data center hotspots/high ambient temperatures 
  • Hardware is installed too closely together for sufficient cooling 
  • Hardware is stored in a room measuring higher than the recommended temperature 
  • High power consumption increases heat generation beyond levels that implemented cooling systems can manage 
  • Poorly maintained cooling systems 
  • Lack of temperature monitoring systems 

You’ll often find that any data center experiencing a case of overheating fulfills the criteria of more than one bullet listed above. Without the proper cooling methods paired with preventative measures like regular maintenance and temperature monitoring systems, any data center is susceptible to an overheating incident.  

Data Center Solutions for Overheating 

There are a few data center solutions for overheating that can help mitigate the risk of equipment damage, data loss, and performance issues. 

As we mentioned previously, the predominant solutions are the use of an effective cooling system, regular maintenance, and implementation of temperature monitoring systems. 

In addition to these, it is wise for data centers to ensure their hardware is installed the proper distance from one another according to its cooling method’s capabilities and kept in a room that does not exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit (the ideal temperature for most data centers is anywhere between 68 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit).  

These measures will help reduce the workload of your cooling systems, ensuring that they keep your data center hardware cool and do not wear out prematurely. 

That being said, let’s discuss the other solutions in more detail so you know what systems are most efficient to use in a data center and what your data center might be missing that increases its risk of overheating.  

Effective Cooling System 

Preventing data centers from overheating really comes down to the cooling method the facility has in place. 

Most data centers will use one of two methods: air cooling through powerful air conditioners or water cooling through a water coil system. While these are viable options, they are no longer the most efficient way to cool a data center. 

If you want to reduce the risk of overheating in your data center as much as possible, the best cooling method you’ll want to utilize is 2-phase immersion cooling. This process keeps data center hardware cool by immersing it in a dielectric (non-conductive) fluid that is carefully engineered to have a boiling point below the temperature of heat emitted by these components.  

Once the dielectric fluid reaches its boiling point, it rejects heat by turning it into a vapor gas that then comes into contact with a specially designed vapor-to-liquid heat exchanger located on the top of the tank. The inclusion of this exchanger eliminates the need for a secondary heat exchanger and pumping system. 

The result is the most energy-efficient cooling method currently in existence for data centers that has a heat rejection capacity twenty times that of the standard air-conditioning system found in countless facilities.  

Regular Maintenance 

As with any system, regular maintenance is key to keeping a data center’s cooling system running at peak efficiency.  

Data center managers, or professional hired by the company, should regularly inspect and clean all cooling system components, regardless of the method they have in place. While some require less maintenance than others, they should not be left unchecked for extended periods. 

By keeping the system clean and well-maintained, data center managers can avoid many of the issues that can lead to an overheated data center. 

Additionally, data center hardware should also be regularly maintained, both digitally (ex. software updates) as well as physically (ex. cleaning and repairing fans or other components). 

Temperature Monitoring Systems 

Most modern cooling systems found in data centers, especially two-phase immersion cooling technology, are exceptional at maintaining a safe temperature for its hardware. That being said, it isn’t safe or wise to assume the system is operating as it should at all times. This is why it is essential to have temperature monitoring systems implemented throughout the facility.  

There are various types of temperature monitoring systems available on the market, but they typically utilize sensors to constantly check the air temperature and humidity levels in the data center. If these readings surpass a certain threshold, an alert is sent to data center staff so they can take action. 

It’s understandably tempting to just use the high-performance automatic temperature monitoring systems, but while these systems have numerous advantages, they should be supplemented with manual temperature monitoring systems as well. These are useful when a backup system is necessary and as a form of validation that the automatic system is operating properly.  

Final Thoughts 

The transference of heat away from processors remains one of the most critical challenges of modern computing technology. Various approaches have been employed to push against this “heat limit” as it persists as a principal barrier to better and faster processing technologies that are otherwise prepared to realize greater potential. 

Overheating is a significant concern in data centers due to the devastation it can cause the facility’s hardware, reputation, and more. Thankfully, as long as a data center implements the preventative measures discussed here, they should be at minimal risk of experiencing overheating. If you’re seeking professional help to ensure your data center is safe, either through advice or installation of effective cooling systems like 2-phase immersion cooling, reach out to TMGcore! 

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tmg_core

TMGcore: The Brand, the Values, and the Vision for the Future

tmg_core

TMGcore: The Brand, the Values, and the Vision for the Future

Who is TMGcore?  

A maverick in the industry, TMGcore is an award-winning provider of high-performance computing solutions. Our company was founded in 2018 with a vision of creating a more sustainable and capable solution for commercial data center storage. Armed with a goal, TMGcore created the next generation of scalable technologies to facilitate the best cooling possible. We are committed to providing the highest quality services and products, and our vision is to make immersion cooling the standard for data center services. At our core, we believe you must Evolve to Enable.

What Do We Do?

Today’s data center hardware manufacturers are asked to develop technology capable of handling ever-increasing amounts of data while navigating industry challenges such as environmental impact, uptime, and operating costs that come with building and operating large data centers. Our solution? Immersion cooling. TMGcore researches and develops revolutionary commercial-grade hardware specializing in 2-phase liquid immersion cooling technology that is fully autonomous with our software management service. We provide a world-class experience to our customers and industry collaborators with end-to-end solutions engineering and off-the-shelf, customized designs. Our use of cutting-edge 2-phase cooling technology sets TMGcore apart from its non-immersion computing competitors.

TMGcore developed the OTTO platform to solve industry space and power constraints. OTTO offers businesses a scalable, quick-to-market, secure solution that’s incredibly energy-efficient and cost-effective. It’s fully autonomous, capable of deploying up to 15,000 cores in less than 80 Sq. Ft. due to its modular design and high-density computing. For applications outside of the core, the Edgebox 30 and 4.5 provide the same degree of extremely efficient, 2-phase liquid immersion-cooled data center capacity, with a footprint that’s a fraction of traditional fan-cooled methods. To optimize the features and capabilities of the OTTO platform, TMGcore’s hydroblades were developed as a preliminary set of hardware options. Hydroblades are server, storage, and other hardware components that are designed to be integrated with the platform’s cooling mechanism. After the hydroblades are installed into OTTO devices, they are monitored and controlled through our autonomous manager software platform.

In early 2022, we released ComputeCore. This single-phase liquid cooling solution offers similar sustainability and scalability, albeit in a different format, to our 2-phase cooling solutions. Available in a 48U configuration with an adjustable weir wall, ComputeCore allows companies looking to break away from archaic air-cooled methodologies a new way forward. One that is considerably more sustainable and more energy-efficient.

The duality of our hardware and software suite provides a seamless, world-class bespoke solution for our customers. All of our products and services are backed by a full-scope infrastructure warranty and customer-centric service offerings to ensure that every organization is considered.

How Does Immersion Cooling Technology Work?

Immersion cooling technology is a method of storing and cooling down data servers as an alternative to fan cooling. Servers are immersed in Dielectric Fluids, which turn into vapor when data chips generate heat. The vapor rises in the tank carrying the heat to the top, and the water flows through coils and carries the heat away. The vapor then condenses and returns to the tank as fluid to repeat the process again and again.

What Are Our Values?

Historically, data storage centers use fan cooling computing technology which accounts for 2% of the world’s electricity consumption. Immersion cooling is both more efficient and sustainable, reducing your carbon footprint by up to 1.2 Megawatts per 800 Sq. Ft. Our compact, modular designs also take up less space for the potential of an additional 120,000 cores. Since our immersion cooling technology uses less energy, customers can reduce operational costs by as much as 70%.

Put simply, TMGcore is committed to providing industry-leading immersion cooling technology and world-class service for every customer and collaborator.

Our Vision

We believe that immersion cooling technology is the new standard for the future of data center storage due to its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and high capability. We are proud to be spearheading this revolution as we work to create a more sustainable and efficient world that meets the needs of our customers.

What’s Next?

For you, the customer, it means you can exponentially scale your data center with a fully optimized and autonomous suite. You’ll be able to reduce your carbon footprint and operational costs while increasing the amount of storage space for additional cores. Are you ready to join the movement? Visit our website to learn more or call us to schedule a demo today!

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Maecenas lacinia sem diam, at consectetur magna pretium nec. Curabitur semper orci sit amet viverra ultricies.

Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Curabitur sed mi massa. Aenean ut rhoncus lacus. Mauris lorem neque, porttitor at vulputate in, euismod vulputate ligula. Curabitur at velit sagittis, vehicula erat vel, condimentum elit. Maecenas consequat urna ut neque blandit vestibulum. Duis lacus arcu, euismod in vulputate in, blandit quis dolor. Cras sit amet turpis sed ex iaculis volutpat. Donec posuere posuere tortor, eget consectetur eros suscipit sit amet.

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data_centers_cooling

The Rise and Fall…And Rise Again of Data Center Cooling

data_centers_cooling

The Rise and Fall…And Rise Again of Data Center Cooling

As data centers have evolved, so too has the cooling technology used to keep them running efficiently. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular technologies used in data center cooling today and how they came to be!

What Is a Datacenter? Why Does It Need Cooling?

A data center is a place where IT equipment and operations are centrally stored by a company in order to store, process, and distribute their data. Often data center infrastructure stores sensitive information and regularly needed materials, so keeping these centers in optimum shape is a critical effort and peak priority.

The equipment in these centers generates considerable heat in their operation. In order to properly maintain their functioning, these data centers must pull the heat out of the facility and its hardware to keep the temperatures inside from overheating and causing disruption in their services. 

The Launch of Datacenter Cooling 

In the 1940s, liquid immersion cooling was used to cool high-voltage transformers. Then in 1960, IBM became the first known developer of a new idea – a direct liquid cooling system for computers. At their start, data centers were once essentially just rooms dedicated to housing very early computer servers. From there, the computers themselves advanced relatively quickly throughout the next few decades, but their storage and its maintenance needs lagged behind developmentally; these newer, smaller computers (generally speaking) could do well enough with the advent of multiple transistors and metal oxide semiconductors that reduced heat emissions. Simple fans added directly to the computer’s internal design could reasonably handle the heat now.

Gaming in the ’90s is credited with changing all that. 

Especially since consumers now could custom-build their personal computers, those new, higher performance systems revived the concept of liquid cooling. As computer use for businesses also skyrocketed, the cooling method made its way back into industrial use as well. It was towards the end of the 2000s, and the invention of new cooling techniques like chilled doors and OTTO two-phase liquid immersion cooling, that data center cooling became a critical need once again to manage the omnipresent widespread use of computing. 

Data Center Cooling Today

These days, infinitely complex tech and greater awareness of its environmental impact has led to the explosion in data center cooling developments. Nowadays, there are three basic types of cooling for data center storage: air-, liquid-, and hybrid-based.

Air-Based Cooling Systems

These systems further break down into 3 types:

Cold Aisle/Hot Aisle

  • This method relies on positioning the hot sides of the computer servers away from the cold sides, which essentially creates a convection system separating the two types of air away from each other. It’s admittedly not the most efficient setup for how much additional cold air ends up needed to keep the center temperature balanced.

Air Containment

  • Building upon the cold aisle/hot aisle concept, the servers are individually contained to prevent the two air types from mixing at all. While an improvement, the method still leads to hot spots within the data center. 

In-Rack Heat Extraction

  • Hot air is removed by introducing a compression cooler directly into the racks that store the servers.

Liquid-Based Cooling Systems

There are 3 types of liquid coolants commonly involved in this type of cooling system:

Water

  • With water-cooled racks, aka rear-door chillers, water streams beside the racks but does not ever touch the servers themselves. While generally effective, there is an inherent risk to this method that the water may leak onto the sensitive equipment, potentially ruining the hardware…, not to mention the fact that the chilling is done with compressors and uses quite some energy to cool.

Synthetic Liquid or Mineral Liquid

  • Both types of liquid are used in the liquid immersion cooling method, where whole servers are completely covered in either the synthetic or the mineral liquid. These liquids are specially crafted to handle all heat emissions while not affecting the hardware negatively. Environmental temperatures are thus able to reduce the warmer water of the secondary coolant loop. This is one of the most energy-efficient forms of cooling currently in practice.

Hybrid-Based Cooling Systems

  • This method is a closed-loop system designed to capture the heat emissions in the data center’s energy recovery water or ERW. It truly takes the best of the liquid- and air-based options and very well may be the next major direction for the entire data center cooling process.

Datacenter cooling is constantly evolving to keep up with the latest demands of technology, and TMG Core is at the forefront of these changes. We can help you manage your data center cooling to make sure your system stays up and running. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help keep you energy bills low and your data center cool!

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Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Curabitur sed mi massa. Aenean ut rhoncus lacus. Mauris lorem neque, porttitor at vulputate in, euismod vulputate ligula. Curabitur at velit sagittis, vehicula erat vel, condimentum elit. Maecenas consequat urna ut neque blandit vestibulum. Duis lacus arcu, euismod in vulputate in, blandit quis dolor. Cras sit amet turpis sed ex iaculis volutpat. Donec posuere posuere tortor, eget consectetur eros suscipit sit amet.

Sed a magna ac purus ornare porta. Maecenas ut facilisis risus, et volutpat felis. Nullam quis tempor purus. Praesent ornare posuere elementum. Mauris quis ex ante. Phasellus libero lorem, malesuada quis suscipit ac, aliquam sit amet arcu. Donec lacinia dui enim, vitae scelerisque nunc vestibulum vel. Fusce imperdiet elementum neque sed molestie. Donec ut feugiat orci. Etiam lacus nulla, blandit eget odio eget, consectetur finibus ligula. Sed quis orci consectetur, auctor leo vel, iaculis velit. Pellentesque vitae nisi lectus.

computing_densities

The Future of Computing Densities: What to Expect in the Next Decade

computing_densities

The Future of Computing Densities: What to Expect in the Next Decade

Within the next decade, we can expect to see computing densities increase by several orders of magnitude. This exponential growth is made possible by a variety of factors including Moore’s Law, the miniaturization of components, and the increasing demand for mobile and cloud-based applications. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key trends that are driving this growth and discuss what it means for businesses and data centers alike.

What is Computing Density? 

Computing density is the number of computing devices per unit of area. It’s a measure of how much information can be stored and processed in a given space. The higher the density, the more efficient the use of space. Data centers are one of the most important users of computing density. They need to store large amounts of data and processing power in a small space. The denser the data center, the more efficient it is. 

Mobile and Cloud-Based Applications 

One of the key trends is the increasing demand for mobile and cloud-based applications. This is driving businesses to move away from traditional desktop computing and towards more agile, cloud-based solutions. In order to meet this demand, data centers must be able to provide the necessary processing power and storage capacity. This means that we can expect to see higher-density data centers.  

Miniaturization of Components 

Another trend that is driving the growth of computing densities is the miniaturization of components. This is made possible by advances in semiconductor manufacturing and the increasing use of nanotechnology. As components get smaller, more can be packed into a given space. This gives data centers the ability to pack more processing power and storage capacity into a smaller space.  

Augmented and Virtual Reality 

Augmented reality and virtual reality are also driving the need for higher computing densities. These technologies require large amounts of data to be processed in real-time. The massive increase in high-performance computing, i.e. the need to process large amounts of data quickly, is driving businesses to move towards data center and supercomputer solutions that can offer the necessary processing power. 

Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence demands a massive amount of computing power to consistently pull new sets of data. AI has become a strong trend that is likely to stay as it gradually gets more accurate. 

Bitcoin and Crypto Mining 

With the increase of Bitcoin and other crypto mining, miners are having to look at higher-density mining data centers to stay profitable. To mine a Bitcoin, the computer is required to solve three difficult math problems:  the hashing problem, the byzantine general’s problem, and the double-spending problem. Since there is a finite number of Bitcoin, the less available, the more challenging the problems become. With the difficulty steadily increasing and the value of Bitcoin steadily rising, the profit margins for mining are getting smaller. This is forcing miners to look for ways to increase their computing density in order to stay profitable. 

NFTs on the BlockChain  

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are traded on the blockchain. They are digital assets that are unique and cannot be replaced. The most popular use case for NFTs is in the gaming industry. Games such as CryptoKitties and Gods Unchained have become extremely popular and have driven the need for higher-density blockchain solutions as the blockchain becomes ever more congested.  

The Future of Computing Densities 

As we can see, there are a number of trends that are driving the growth of computing densities. We can expect to see higher-density data centers as businesses move towards more agile, cloud-based solutions. Businesses and data centers must be prepared to meet this demand by increasing their own densities. This can be done by investing in higher-density data center solutions and supercomputers. TMGCore is one company that is at the forefront of this trend, offering solutions to high-density computing for businesses. 

What Does This Mean for Businesses? 

The trend towards higher computing densities means that businesses need to be prepared to invest in data center infrastructure that can handle the upcoming demand.  

Businesses are able to take advantage of more powerful and efficient solutions. Data centers must be able to adapt to the demands of these new applications. In order to do this, they need to be able to increase their density and do some in the most efficient way possible. 

How Can Computing Density Be More Efficient? 

TMGCore can help. TMGCore offers a variety of solutions to help businesses scale their high-capacity computing to stay up-to-date with the future of computing. 

One of our solutions, TMGCore’s OTTO, is a fully autonomous, 15,000+ core, two-phase liquid immersion data center in a 77SqFt. TMGcore’s OTTO enables data centers to increase their density without sacrificing performance or efficiency. With TMGcore, businesses can take advantage of the latest trends in computing densities and stay ahead of the curve.

To learn more about TMGCore and how we can help your business stay competitive in the ever-changing landscape of computing, contact us today and help us find the best solution for your business. 

Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Curabitur sed mi massa. Aenean ut rhoncus lacus. Mauris lorem neque, porttitor at vulputate in, euismod vulputate ligula.

Maecenas lacinia sem diam, at consectetur magna pretium nec. Curabitur semper orci sit amet viverra ultricies.

Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Curabitur sed mi massa. Aenean ut rhoncus lacus. Mauris lorem neque, porttitor at vulputate in, euismod vulputate ligula. Curabitur at velit sagittis, vehicula erat vel, condimentum elit. Maecenas consequat urna ut neque blandit vestibulum. Duis lacus arcu, euismod in vulputate in, blandit quis dolor. Cras sit amet turpis sed ex iaculis volutpat. Donec posuere posuere tortor, eget consectetur eros suscipit sit amet.

Sed a magna ac purus ornare porta. Maecenas ut facilisis risus, et volutpat felis. Nullam quis tempor purus. Praesent ornare posuere elementum. Mauris quis ex ante. Phasellus libero lorem, malesuada quis suscipit ac, aliquam sit amet arcu. Donec lacinia dui enim, vitae scelerisque nunc vestibulum vel. Fusce imperdiet elementum neque sed molestie. Donec ut feugiat orci. Etiam lacus nulla, blandit eget odio eget, consectetur finibus ligula. Sed quis orci consectetur, auctor leo vel, iaculis velit. Pellentesque vitae nisi lectus.