Integrating CFD Modeling into Your DCIM Solution Paul Bemis President Applied Math Modeling Inc

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Outline

• • • • • • Typical DCIM definitions DCIM overview The argument for predictive modeling using CFD The role predictive modeling plays in the overall DCIM solution What to look for in DCIM provider What to look for in CFD modeling provider.

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Top DCIM Motives

Improved management of data center capacity • Power, Cooling, Space Improved visibility, status, and management of assets Identifying problems that could threaten availability Reducing energy consumption Increasing utilization of IT assets Source: Preliminary results from Uptime Institute Datacenter Survey, 2012.

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Data Center Challenges

• • • • As IT equipment increases, finding available capacity is not easy Newer IT equipment has higher power density There is a continued emphasis on “Green IT” There are growing regulatory requirements 4

Data Center Management Needs

• • • A tool for planning • For predicting the effect of change to the data center • To better understand the constraints A mechanism for monitoring the data center • • • For temperature, humidity, and server access A tool for managing the assets Tracking lease schedules Storing asset data for all equipment.

Source: Preliminary results from Uptime Institute Datacenter Survey, 2012.

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Current State of DCIM Providers

Immature Market • • • Over 100 “DCIM” suppliers Cost is very high Switching costs are high • No single provider can “do it all” Customers adoption rate is low • • More than half are still using spreadsheets Predictive planning capabilities are sparse Most providers focused on asset management 6

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Predictive CFD Modeling

• Historically not integrated with DCIM • Used by design/build firms • Expensive and hard to use Capable of satisfying key requirements • • • • Accurately predicts: Max IT load in a given room Optimal configuration for energy consumption Failure mode analysis (cooling units failure analysis) Disaster planning scenarios 7

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Integrating CFD predictive modeling into DCIM solutions

CFD modeling has become easier and lower cost • Cloud based solutions are less expensive • Improvements in GUI’s have reduce complexity CFD modeling tools can input DCIM data • • • Can be used as “plug-in” to DCIM tool Provides the ability to model scenarios Cooling failure Equipment expansion 8

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Benefits of using CFD modeling in DCIM Solution

Provides an accurate means to perform “what –if?” • • • What if we add another 30 kW to the room?

Where do we put it?

What happens if a CRAC/CRAH fails, or is out of service?

• Can we meet the Terms of Service we are committing too?

Provide guidance on lowering energy costs • • PUE optimization tool Answers question of “what is possible” to reduce energy costs 9

How does CFD Modeling integrate with DCIM

• • • • • DCIM database contains most of the information needed by CFD model • Location, power consumption, and size of racks, cooling units, PDU’s, etc.

DCIM data can be read into CFD modeling tool Any incremental data can be added within CFD modeling tool Flowrates of CRAC/CRAH Supply Air Temperature from cooling units.

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Simple Demonstration using OpenDCIM

• • • • • OpenDCIM is an open source DCIM solution Data being exported from OpenDCIM using XML CoolSim CFD modeling tool reads XML data Populates the CFD model for “what-if” studies Data can be edited in CoolSim for various scenarios 11

OpenDCIM Import Demonstration

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Complete Model After Import

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Sample of Results After CFD Simulation

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What to look for when Choosing DCIM providers

• • • • Can the DCIM tool export data to other “downstream” applications?

Can the tool expand to store other kinds of data?

What is the support model for the tool?

Can the tool be user configured, or does it need supplier support for customization 15

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What to look for when choosing CFD modeling supplier

Is the solution reasonably priced for “occasional” use?

Can the tool import data from any DCIM tool?

Does the CFD tool have the functionality required to perform the “what-if” scenarios.

Is the tool simple to use and can be self-taught?

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Summary

Although capacity planning and energy consumption concerns top the customer survey, most DCIM providers do not provide these capabilities.

When selecting a DCIM provider, ask about their planning capabilities.

With the recent reduction in CFD modeling costs, this technology is now easy to use and affordable Integrating these technologies together is becoming easy and will become the norm soon.

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