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There is no shortage of predictions regarding the future of data center power densities, but their track-record over the last decade has been poor. At the same time, there is also a general inconsistency in the way different groups define and discuss the topic of the high-density data center. This paper will touch on these predictions and definitions. Following that, it will tie the density discussion into the other main data center goals: efficiency, capacity planning, and uptime. Finally, it will provide a bit of guidance for cutting through the fog where it comes to how power and equipment densities vary within a data center and for planning how to handle the varying densities at the data center rack.
It has been obvious for some time that the power distribution system within the data center is the key opportunity to focus upon in order to actively manage the rising costs of power and more specifically, identify problems and waste in real-time. With future-thinking organizations sharing knowledge between Facilities and IT, the push for more intelligence within this rack-based power infrastructure has become urgent with higher rack power densities. In fact, proactive power management at all stages in the distribution chain within enterprise data centers has become the requirement to feed efficiency studies and data center infrastructure management (DCIM) style optimization initiatives.