DataBank, a renowned leader in enterprise-grade edge colocation, interconnection, and managed services, has unveiled a novel strategy for constructing high-density data centres tailored to meet the demands of High-Performance Computing (HPC). Referred to as the Universal Data Hall Design (UDHD), this innovation grants businesses the versatility to support any deployment their workloads require.
With a market expected to reach $103.74 billion by 2030, generative AI’s accelerated adoption has driven an increase in demand for high-density colocation. As technology continues to advance, data centres must be able to scale and adapt quickly to handle an increasingly diverse range of workloads- from power-dense HPC clusters to sprawling hyperscale cloud installations to traditional raised-floor, enterprise colocation.
“In order to future-proof their facilities, multi-tenant data centre operators must rethink facility design, construction, and operations to allow for more flexibility and sustainability,” said Aeric Swartz, vice president of engineering at DataBank. “With UDHD, DataBank is able to accommodate hyperscale, traditional, and HPC all within the same, highly secure data hall.”
Key elements to DataBank’s Next-Gen Data Centres implementing a Universal Data Hall Design are the traditional components of data centre colocation while prioritising adaptability and resilience.
The design entails a foundational slab floor and external placement of power and cooling infrastructure for the initial setup, along with the option to seamlessly integrate raised floor and water-to-rack layers to any data hall. This layered approach permits flexible customisation of each hall within the data centre to align with specific customer requirements. In terms of power, the centres accommodate both conventional 120/208V distribution and high-density 240/415V options, facilitated through whips or busway, without necessitating alterations to the existing infrastructure. Cooling is achieved through a closed chilled water loop, coupled with the modular design approach. This approach empowers each data hall to independently support diverse cooling methods, ranging from room-wide cooling to localised air delivery utilising raised floors, and even incorporating water-to-rack systems that facilitate rear door heat exchangers and direct chip cooling as needed.
This design renders the additional benefit of sustainability, as efficient power and water systems reduce the consumption of resources.
“Universal Data Hall Design is crucial to innovation. As technology evolves, our data centres are able to evolve with it,” said Joe Minarik, COO of DataBank. “While most of the industry is trying to navigate the here and now, we’re already building the data centres of the future.”
