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Efficient heat removal is critical in data center operations. Let's explore the main cooling technologies used in modern facilities.
CRAC units use refrigerant-based cooling similar to traditional air conditioning systems. They're commonly found in smaller facilities and legacy data centers.
CRAC units typically have a PUE of 1.8-2.0, making them less efficient than modern alternatives.
CRAH units use chilled water instead of refrigerant, offering better efficiency and scalability for larger deployments. Modern hyperscale facilities predominantly use CRAH systems.
| Technology | Typical PUE | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| CRAC | 1.8-2.0 | Small facilities |
| CRAH | 1.4-1.6 | Enterprise scale |
| Liquid Cooling | 1.1-1.3 | High-density AI/HPC |
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The essential primer. Learn the terminology, facility types, and basic economics of the industry.
Deep dive into electrical infrastructure, redundancy tiers, and cooling methodologies.
Understanding carrier hotels, dark fiber, cross-connects, and latency dynamics.
How to calculate absorption, vacancy, and capacity. Reading market signals and trends.
Valuation methodologies, deal structures, and financial analysis for data center assets.
SOC2, ISO 27001, HIPAA compliance and physical security standards for data centers.