Simplex Isolation Systems is offering technical support to help data center managers determine the most effective and efficient strategy for cooling their facilities, including aisle-containment options. "One of the more frequent questions we get from data center managers is whether they should pursue hot aisle containment or cold aisle containment," said Duane McKinnon, Simplex's president. "Our answer is, that depends on your current infrastructure."
The tech-support services Simplex is offering begin with the data center manager completing a four-page questionnaire available on Simplex's Web site. "This questionnaire is meant to guide them through the process of evaluating their assets," McKinnon added. The questionnaire asks for details of the data center infrastructure including the use of raised floors, ceiling types, current cooling method, hot-air return and fire suppression. One of the four pages allows data center managers to sketch out their existing facilities. The completed questionnaire can be emailed or faxed to Simplex. Using the information gathered, Simplex engineers assist users in designing and effective data center cooling system.
"The majority of data centers out there are legacy facilities," McKinnon noted. "Whether you are going to employ hot aisle containment or cold aisle containment depends a great deal on existing infrastructure. This questionnaire takes managers step-by-step through the details so all factors are considered."