A recent white paper from APC-Schneider Electric hinges on the premise that the specification of operating power density for data centers and server rooms is a growing challenge for IT professionals.

"Conventional methods for specifying data center density are ambiguous and misleading," contends Neil Rasmussen, the paper's author. "Describing data center density using Watts per foot squared or Watts per meter squared is not sufficient to determine power or cooling compatibility with high density computing loads like blade servers."

Related story: Data center operators cite rising power density, energy efficiency as chief concerns

"Historically there is no clear standard way of specifying data centers to achieve predictable behavior with high density loads," adds the document's introduction. "An appropriate specification for data center density should assure compatibility with anticipated high density loads, provide unambiguous instruction for design and installation of power and cooling equipment, prevent oversizing, and maximize electrical efficiency."

The paper ultimately describes the science and practical application of an improved method for the specification of power and cooling infrastructure for data centers.

Read the white paper here.

See also:Powering single-cord equipment in dual path data center environments