NDC-GARBE Green IT Cube: Concept for AI-optimized Data Center
NDC-GARBE 07/10/2024
Green IT Cube von NDC-GARBE – konzipiert für den Einsatz von KI um Rechenzentrum
The future belongs to artificial intelligence (AI) in many areas of the economy and society. However, it needs the right conditions to flourish. The increasing use of AI therefore requires a fundamental transformation of data centers. Data center companies around the world are planning to create the conditions for AI applications and services. The development is still in its infancy and exciting times lie ahead for the industry. In the following, we explain the major challenges involved in adapting the infrastructure for AI applications and what the appropriate concept from NDC-GARBE looks like.
Liquid cooling as a key technology for AI data centers
AI applications and services place high demands on data centers. Above all, the solutions require much more computing power than was previously the case. AI servers with fast processors are therefore used, which offer more computing power in less space in the server room. This significantly increases the packing density.
However, the resulting heat development exceeds the capacity of traditional air cooling. This is why cooling the racks plays another crucial role. Data center operators need a different solution to dissipate the enormous heat. This is where liquid cooling comes into play, with pure water or another contact liquid flowing through the racks. As a rule, it requires a separate and therefore additional water circuit. However, setting up the services leads to a convincing result: thanks to its efficient heat dissipation, liquid cooling enables the operation of powerful AI servers.
Lack of a uniform standard for AI-optimized data centres
A number of companies are currently testing exactly what the optimal infrastructure in AI data centers looks like. These tests help to better understand the specific requirements. So far, there is no consensus or uniform standard regarding the structure of the buildings. Standardization could accelerate the expansion of the necessary infrastructure by providing clear specifications.
Pioneering HPC approach from NDC-GARBE
The Green IT Cube from NDC-GARBE, a patented concept for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly high-performance computing (HPC) in data centers, is already ready for AI applications and services. The Green IT Cube provides data center developers and operators with a suitable solution for the new requirements. The modern concept already has its own water circuit for cooling. Hot air from servers is dissipated and recooled directly via heat exchangers on the rear doors of the individual racks. A major advantage: the air does not have to be distributed in the server room for cooling. In addition to saving energy, this also saves height in the room. In addition, the concept already includes lines for direct liquid cooling. Only a few adjustments are therefore required to integrate the technology.
Flexibility of the concept for AI-optimized data centres
NDC-GARBE has been relying on the Green IT Cube for ten years now and is constantly developing the concept further in order to incorporate the latest technology and meet political requirements. The focus is on designing buildings flexibly enough to accommodate both air and liquid cooling. In future, the approach to cooling in the server room will have a significant influence on the overall architecture. Unlike before, IT infrastructure, cooling and supply technology will increasingly be closely interlinked. The new approach brings challenges, but also lays the foundation for the digital future, in which AI unfolds its full potential.