Modular Server Vaulting

Many of the major server equipment manufacturers have recently been marketing the concept of a “data center in a box,” which is a shipping container filled with their IT equipment to create easily transportable data center modules.  This concept does have some advantages over traditional data center facilities, such as mobility, scalability and compact size.  However, these high-density modules are very much at risk of being damaged or destroyed by fire, intrusion or even adverse weather conditions.

To address these threats, Firelock has created the Secure Agile Vault Environment, or SAVE solution.  By using a 40-foot shipping container and installing a Class 125 data vault a much more secure environment is provided for mission critical systems.  The vault ensures that IT equipment will be kept safe even if exposed to the heat of a catastrophic fire.  Physical security is also greatly improved with the double door assembly.  The vestibule area in the front of the container allows the container to be sealed before opening the vault doors, so even the worst weather conditions are not a threat to the valuable servers.  The on-board mechanical room behind the vault contains the HVAC system, so only power and network communications need to be supplied to the SAVE unit.

Firelock has taken a vendor-neutral approach to the mobile data center module concept.  Eight standard server racks are in place and ready for any hardware manufacturer’s equipment.  To cool these racks the Vette LiquiCool Rear Door Heat Exchanger system is utilized.  This efficient and compact cooling system uses the airflow from the server units so no power needs to be supplied to these economical and maintenance-free units.

For more details about the SAVE by Firelock, click here for an illustrated presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFQ9bOuQub4

Tags: data center, data center planning, data protection, design, environmental controls, fire protection, HVAC systems, Physical security, server protection, server room, server room planning

This entry was posted on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 1:43 pm and is filed under HVAC systems, Physical security, data center design, data center in a box, data center planning, data protection, enviromental controls, server room technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.