Modularization of data center functions
In one example, a data center may be built in modular components that may be pre-manufactured and separately deployable. Each modular component may provide functionality such as server capacity, cooling capacity, fire protection, resistance to electrical failure. Some components may be added to the data center by connecting them to the center's utility spine, and others may be added by connecting them to other components. The spine itself may be a modular component, so that spine capacity can be expanded or contracted by adding or removing spine modules. The various components may implement functions that are part of standards for various levels of reliability for data centers. Thus, the reliability level that a data center meets may be increased or decreased to fit the circumstances by adding or removing components.
1. A data center comprising:
a component that supplies electrical power, data connectivity, and cooling media, and that exposes a plurality of interfaces that are configured for connecting one or more function modules to said component;
a plurality of server modules that are connected to the component through the interfaces, each of said server modules comprising one or more racks of servers, each of said server modules receiving said electric power, said data connectivity, and said cooling media through one of the plurality of interfaces through which said individual server modules is connected to said component; and
one or more of said function modules, each of the function modules implementing a function that provides a capability to the data center, each of the function modules being connected to the data center by: (a) being attached to one of said server modules; or (b) being attached to another one of the function modules; or (c) being attached to said component, said one or more function modules including one or more first function modules and one or more second function modules, each of said first function modules comprising electrical wires configured to carry said electrical power, data fiber configured to carry said data connectivity, and conduits configured to carry said cooling media, said component being composed of said one or more first function modules, said component being extensible to accommodate an additional number of said second function modules by addition of one of said one or more of first function modules, and being reducible to accommodate a fewer number of said second function modules by removal of said one of said one or more first function modules.
2. The data center of claim 1 , wherein one of said second function modules implements a cooling function, said one of said second function modules being attached to one of said server modules.
3. The data center of claim 1 , wherein one of said second function modules implements a fire protection function.
4. The data center of claim 1 , wherein one of said second function modules comprises a backup generator, said backup generator being attached to said data center through said component.
5. The data center of claim 1 , wherein one of said second function modules comprises an uninterruptable power supply.
6. The data center of claim 1 , wherein each of said server modules and said function modules are pre-fabricated away from a site at which said data center is located, wherein said server modules comprise shipping containers in which said one or more racks of servers are installed.
7. The data center of claim 1 , wherein a specification defines functional capabilities that are possessed by said data center that meets a reliability level, and wherein said function modules are chosen to allow said data center to satisfy said specification.
8. The data center of claim 1 , each of said one or more first function modules comprising a fire detection communication line.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a component that supplies electrical power, data connectivity, and cooling media, and that exposes a plurality of interfaces through which one or more function modules are connectable to said component;
a plurality of server modules that are connected to the component through the interfaces, each of said server modules comprising one or more racks of servers, each of said server modules receiving said electric power, said data connectivity, and said cooling media through one of the plurality of interfaces through which said individual server modules is connected to said component; and
one or more of said function modules, each of the function modules implementing a function that provides a capability to the apparatus, each of said one or more said function modules comprising:
one or more first function modules and one or more second function modules, said component being composed of said one or more first function modules, each of said one or more first function modules comprising electrical wires configured to carry said electrical power, data fiber configured to carry said data connectivity, and conduits configured to carry said cooling media, said component being extensible to accommodate an additional number of said second function modules by addition of one of said one or more first function modules, and being reducible to accommodate a fewer number of said second function modules by removal of one of said one or more first function modules; and
a cooling module for cooling said cooling media provided to said conduits, the cooling module being one of the second function modules.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , each of said one or more function modules comprising a separate shipping container.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein one of said second function modules comprises a backup generator, said backup generator being attached to said apparatus through said component.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein one of said second function modules comprises an uninterruptable power supply.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of said server modules and said function modules are pre-fabricated away from a site at which said apparatus is located.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , said apparatus comprising a data center.
15. A system comprising:
a component that supplies electrical power, data connectivity, and cooling media, and that exposes a plurality of interfaces through which one or more function modules are connectable to said component, said plurality of function modules including one or more first function modules and one or more second function modules, said component being composed of said one or more first function modules, each of said first function modules comprising electrical wires configured to carry said electrical power, data fiber configured to carry said data connectivity, and conduits configured to carry said cooling media, said component being extensible to accommodate an additional number of said second function modules by addition of one of said one or more first function modules, and being reducible to accommodate a fewer number of said second function modules by removal of said one of said one of more first function modules, said component being connected to one or more server modules that contain servers and that receive said electrical power, said data connectivity, and said cooling media through one of the plurality of interfaces through which each of the one or more server modules is connected to said component.
16. The system of claim 15 , each of said function modules comprising a separate shipping container.
17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
one of said second function modules comprises a backup generator, said backup generator being attached to said system through said component.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein each of said one or more server modules and said function modules are pre-fabricated away from a site at which said system is located.
19. The system of claim 15 , said system comprising a data center.
20. The system of claim 15 , each of said one or more first function modules comprising a fire detection communication line.