What is Data Center Space?

Data center space refers to the area of leased space where servers can be stored in a data facility, including racks, cabinets, private suites, etc., which typically monitors all electrical and mechanical systems 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

However, many businesses today face the challenge of limited data center space. One reason is that advances in technology have increased their need for larger data center space, but building a new one will cost a lot of money. Another factor is the underutilization of data center space, with 43% of respondents saying they do not have a strategy in place to improve energy efficiency, according to research by the Energy Alliance called The Green Gird.

Therefore, it is necessary to learn some strategies to optimize the available space in the data center. Here are ten ways to make the most of your data center space.

How to use data center space?

• Combine white space and gray space: Data center white space refers to the space where IT equipment and infrastructure are located, while data center gray space refers to the space where backend equipment is located. By integrating these two types of data center space, enterprises can save a lot of data center space by using technologies such as cloud computing.

• Updated Technology: To improve data center space efficiency, technology must be upgraded to minimize power consumption. For example, new technologies such as flywheels can increase the power of the machine and reduce the number of batteries needed to power it. Additionally, replacing old, inefficient servers with new, energy-efficient ones can improve operational efficiency and reduce power consumption.

• Use a cable with a smaller diameter: Choosing the right cable is also an important factor to consider. Tangled cables can cause cable blockages, which in turn can obstruct airflow. To prevent this problem in data center space, smaller diameter cables, such as FS high-density fiber optic cables, need to be used to save space. They also allow for rack space to accommodate more equipment and reduce the need for more cable management systems.

• Try virtualization solutions: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, most high-capacity servers have 15% or less utilization, wasting space and power. Using virtualization techniques can maximize data center space utilization by sharing workloads across multiple servers to reduce the number of new servers needed to replace inefficient ones.

• Improving Architecture Efficiency: Data center architecture and how hardware is deployed have a critical impact on the data center space. Poor deployment can hinder energy efficiency and lead to heating issues. Therefore, when planning a new data center, it is important to carefully consider the current design, future servers and equipment, and how these devices will integrate with each other.

• Optimize vertical space: Utilizing vertical space can increase data center capacity and density without taking up floor space compared to horizontal data center space. Traditional racks and cabinets support 42U to 45U of rack space, while taller racks offer up to 58U of rack space. Additionally, utilizing the space above the rack to patch racks and cabinets is more efficient.

• Increased cabinet power density: Server racks and cabinets take up a lot of space, so it's crucial to make the most of them. Reduce the floor space by increasing the power density of the cabinet and reducing the requirements for the cabinet. Additionally, this can reduce management equipment and improve the ROI of the business.

• Use cooling technology: Cooling accounts for about half of all energy consumption in a data center. Because room air conditioning (CRAC) and air handling units cannot handle higher power densities, some companies may use liquid cooling systems, which take up a significant amount of valuable floor space. Using techniques such as hot/cold aisle containment can save some data center space while maintaining the right temperature.

All of the above methods are highly effective in improving data center space utilization, and the key is to choose the plan that best meets your goals and needs.