Energy Efficient Datacenters: The Role of Modularity in Datacenter Design is a Sun BluePrints On-line document by several staff members of the Sun Global Lab and Datacenter Design Services that explains the rationale underlying the modular, pod-based approach to datacenter design that Sun has adopted.

With this approach, Sun builds its datacenters around pods that typically include up to 24 racks with a common hot or cold aisle and a modular set of power, cooling and cabling components. The same design principles apply to datacenters of all sizes with this approach, the number of pods being the chief difference.

According to the authors, "the pod design allows the different modules to be configured to best meet client requirements as the datacenter changes over time. The standard infrastructure is sized so that it can accommodate rapid change, growth, and increases in server and storage densities. [This involves investing] 10-15 percent in piping and electrical infrastructure to 'future proof' the datacenter. ... [With such an approach, some investments] can have a payback in as little as 18 months — even if the anticipated changes never occur."

The contents of this paper include:

• The Range of Modularity in Datacenter Design
• The Range of Datacenter Requirements
• Sun's Pod-Based Design
• Modular Design Elements
• The Modular Pod Design at Work

At the heart of Sun's approach to datacenter design is facilitation of growth, density, flexibility and rapid change. As the authors write, "At Sun, our modular, pod-based datacenters can turn on a dime whenever business directions change, from accommodating new equipment in our pods to expanding our rack footprint by deploying additional Sun Modular Datacenters."

Sun accomplishes this design fundamental by building in the capability to double the capacity in three key functions: power, cooling and cabling. With such an approach, clients can accommodate either gradual or rapid change in response to market conditions without a major capital investment that takes years to recoup. [...read more...]

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