Home » Raritan Blog » Disruptive Technologies Changing Data Centers: Part 1
Rick Gonedes
July 13, 2018
Content originally sourced from 451 Research.
When we think of the word "disruptive," we often think of something troublesome. However, when it comes to disruptive technologies the opposite is true. As we will discuss in this three-part series, these disruptive technologies are innovative and helping data centers evolve to meet growing needs.
Disruptive Technology #1: Chiller Free Cooling
Oftentimes disruptive technologies are designed as a response to financial needs; chiller free cooling is one of these technologies. Chiller free cooling is aimed at lowering the air temperature in a data center by utilizing naturally cool air or water. Chiller free cooling involves widening the cooling set points to eliminate the mechanical refrigeration on an IT load. By eliminating mechanical cooling, data centers can begin to reduce one of the largest capital costs, electricity.
Who will adopt this technology?
Why will this technology continue to be adopted?
The reality is that it is well within a data center operator's capabilities to build an energy and cost efficient facility. The challenge facing a widespread adoption of chiller free data centers lies in the fear of vast operating temperature bands. However, experts agree that the benefits of chiller free data centers will outweigh this fear as the ability to shed excess capital costs will be embraced.
Disruptive Technology #2: Micro-Embedded Datacenters
A Micro-embedded data center is a modular or containerized and smaller than a computer room — typically one rack or less. All required IT functionalities are contained in the micro data center, designed to handle your specific needs at distributed locations and typically managed from a larger data center. In fact, this evolving technology can even be built into existing building management systems that control numerous domains of operation.
Who will adopt this technology?
Why will this technology continue to be adopted?
The optimization of digital infrastructures will cause micro-embedded data centers to be actively adopted. As the demands for edge computing increases, organizations will have to increase both capacity and proximity to users via the speed and ease of installation that micro-embedded data centers offer.
The Bottom Line: The Adoption Of Disruptive Technologies Will Continue
Chiller free and micro-embedded data centers are just two of the disruptive technologies that will continue to help the industry grow and evolve. As technological demands for data generation, security, and storage continue to increase, more disruptive technologies will emerge to provide viable solutions. In Part 2 of this series, we will explore two technologies that will change the very infrastructure and design of IT systems. Click here to read Part 2 of this blog series.