Traditionally, organizations build data centers from the ground up by installing cabinets and racks and then adding overhead power distribution, aisle containment, and other infrastructure components. The process is time- and labor-intensive, and typically involves products from multiple vendors. Data center managers must carefully plan and coordinate each installation to ensure that all components arrive on time and work together.

Separate, but equally challenging issues arise when customers are looking to extend their traditional data center footprint to the edge. Questions arise: Do I need a full collocation engagement to get 1 cabinet into an edge environment? Do I have options to extend my reach without going to an actual data center? Can I extend reach using my existing office space locations and not have to go through massive renovation?

Given the dynamic nature of today’s data center, more organizations are using Micro data centers to simplify this process. Micro data centers incorporate all of the components of a data center infrastructure in a prefabricated, modular unit. They range in size from single cabinets to larger units with multiple cabinets arranged in a cold-aisle configuration. In-rack and in-row cooling make it possible to deploy micro data centers virtually anywhere.

Compared to traditional data center buildouts, micro data centers offer more incredible speed, agility, and scalability while reducing costs. They also facilitate edge computing models. As a result, Maximize Market Research expects the micro data center market to see a compound annual growth rate of 16.5 percent through 2029.

All-in-One Solution

All of the components of a micro data center are delivered to the customer’s facility as freestanding units that can be assembled rapidly. As a result, micro data centers can be up and running in significantly less time and at a lower cost than a traditional facility. Organizations are assured of more consistent quality because the units are built and tested in a factory rather than in the field.

Micro data centers also respond more readily to changing requirements. With larger units, the overhead busway and aisle containment systems are independent of the racks and the room, making it easy to move racks or even reconfigure the whole system.

Because the micro data center supports aisle containment, cable routing, and overhead busway components, the building’s ceiling system doesn’t have to. Micro data center systems can also be designed to any specifications and accommodate any size rack or cabinet.

Micro data center deployment also adds the benefit of being able to “rack and roll” Network, Compute, and Storage at the VAR/Partner layer, which speeds time to productivity.  Customers can order complete solutions with Network, Storage, and Compute built into the Microdata center, so they only have to provide space, power, and network connectivity when receiving the Cabinet/Contained pod Micro data center from their provider of choice.

Consistent, Flexible, and Scalable

A key benefit of micro data centers is consistency. They enable organizations to develop standards for the data center infrastructure across the extended enterprise, streamlining moves, adds, changes, and long-term operations. 

At the same time, micro data centers are highly customizable. Data center operators can pick and choose components and upgrades to adapt to the facility and meet budgetary and operational requirements.

Micro data centers can be scaled easily, minimizing the need to build out infrastructure that is underutilized or completely unused. Individual, self-contained cabinets can be added without concern for cooling capacity, and larger units can be installed as “pods” and expanded as needed. Organizations can build out the data center in stages, enabling greater alignment with capital and operational resources.

Maximizing Efficiency

The defined footprint of a micro data center enables organizations to optimize power and cooling. Built-in cooling is directed at the IT equipment for maximum efficiency, rather than cooling an entire data center facility. Organizations can generally achieve a greater density with micro data center infrastructure while meeting their sustainability targets.

Rahi has extensive experience in data center buildouts, fit-outs, and upgrades. Through our ELEVATE Services for Data Centers, we provide a comprehensive suite of consultative, engineering, and implementation services. We help customers determine if micro data centers could meet their objectives and design the solution from end to end.

With micro data centers, organizations gain a more agile, cost-optimized data center infrastructure that eliminates the need for complex, multiphase construction projects. Let us help you put the benefits of micro data centers to work in your facility.