Data Center Product transformation

Coo Zhaoyongzhi, the capital online, said in an interview that the capital had not built its own data center online, but that their cloud platform had been modularized. In the era of cloud computing, whether it systems, or data center infrastructure, modularity, standardization are the most basic requirements. The reporter also clearly remembers, when Schneider Electric's APC has just introduced the modular ups, many people in the industry are skeptical, even depending on the modular ups as "heterogeneous." But more than 10 years on, modular UPS has become a default choice for many data centers. From non-standard to standardized, from fragmented to modular, the highly integrated data center infrastructure has undergone tremendous changes.

In the past decade, the modular Datacenter solution, represented by APC Infineon Integrated Solutions, has received good feedback from users. The Infineon integrated solution is also a benchmark and vane for modular datacenter solutions. Standardized, modular data center design and deployment of ideas have been accepted by the vast number of Chinese users.

Schneider Electric data Center Solutions business Development manager Kim Jin Dong believes that rapid deployment, flexible scalability, high availability, and lower total cost of ownership have been the core requirements of users when designing and deploying data centers. In today's China, where cloud computing and large data have developed rapidly, the demand is more pronounced, and the standardized, modular architecture is still the main direction of data center development. From Infineon integrated solutions to prefabricated modular data center solutions, Schneider Electric is always leading the innovation and exploration of the data center.

It's not the same.

As a typical representative of the modular Datacenter solution, the container data center has sprung up in the first two years. A container data center that can be put on a truck and travel across the country and around the world just feels pretty cool to think about. With its modularization, rapid deployment and flexible mobility, the container data center has won the favor of customers in some industries, such as Internet, petrochemical industry and some large parks. These industries have a common need for data center construction, such as requiring a shorter construction cycle for the data center, or the need for a data center to be mobile for business needs, and rapid deployment in the wild or open space.

So what are the similarities and differences between the container data center and the prefabricated modular data center that is now mentioned? Same, exactly the same. "Mr. Lu, who has been working on data center research for many years, says," whether it is a container data center or a prefabricated modular data center, it requires that you understand the needs of the users, then integrate the data center solutions in the factory and quickly deploy them on the customer site. ”

"The Container data center is the same as the prefabricated Module data center, except that the container data center deploys a complete data center within a standardized container shell, and the prefabricated module data center is not limited to this form, and can be tailored to the needs of the user." Huang, who once specializes in container data center operations and is now self-employed, said in an interview, "However, the container data center is the same as the basic features of the prefabricated module data center, emphasizing rapid deployment, mobility, etc." Some container data centers directly adopt standard freight containers, which are very simple, and are restricted by the conditions of freight containers, and the maintenance convenience of data centers is affected. The prefabricated module data center is the repackaging of the container data center, is a more "tall" concept, for different application environment can provide different models of solutions. ”

In some of the users and enterprises interviewed by the reporter, a large number of the container data center and the prefabricated module data center are not different, and some users know and study the container Data center solution, but for the prefabricated module data center is very little known. So is there any difference between the prefabricated module data center and the container data center? "The prefabricated module data center is broader than the container data center," said Dong-jin. Typically, a prefabricated modular data center refers to all modular data centers that are integrated and validated in a factory environment and can be deployed quickly on site. Schneider Electric offers different types of prefabricated modular data center solutions, including container-type data centers and other forms of solutions, such as skid-mounted. The traditional definition of container data center is only described from the external manifestation, but it does not embody the core value and idea of the modular data center scheme. ”

If the Infineon integrated solution has led to the development of a modular data center over the past decade, then the prefabricated modular data center will be an important direction for the future construction and development of the data center, leading to the next decade's data center industry development. The IT space modular solution represented by the Infineon integrated solution remains the mainstream solution for the current data center market, while the prefabricated modular data center is a natural extension of the successful architecture of the Infineon integrated solution. Infineon Integrated Solutions standardize and modularize the entire IT space, while the prefabricated modular data center achieves the overall standardization and modularity of it space and infrastructure based on the Infineon integrated solutions.

has been focused on the data center infrastructure of Beijing Bo Yue Group currently on behalf of the sales of prefabricated modular data center solutions. "The Container Data center solution is good, but its space is limited, the operation dimension space is more cramped." Cheng, chairman of Beijing Bo Yue Group, told reporters, "We are not optimistic about the future of container data center, but the market of prefabricated module data center is estimated to grow faster." We also have a class of assembly room solutions, many traditional customers are very interested in this solution, the opportunity is good. ”

Data Center Engineering Product

In the cloud computing, the large data age, users to the data center deployment speed and scalability of higher requirements. Users need faster and simpler scenarios and architectures. Traditional data center construction method is not only long cycle, poor scalability, but also the compatibility of data center equipment. Schneider Electric's Infineon integrated solution shortens the data center's construction cycle from 1-2 years to 6-8 months, and enables modularity of it space, as well as improved device compatibility across the IT space. The prefabricated module data center can further shorten the data center delivery cycle to 3 months, and can achieve the overall modularity of it space and infrastructure space.

Jindong outlines the features of the prefabricated modular data center solution as simpler, faster, and more efficient. The core idea of prefabricated module data center is to help users realize the "product" of data center construction project. Traditional data center construction way like we go to Zhongguancun to buy parts and components to save a PC, and the prefabricated data center construction way is like an integrated machine, with a highly integrated characteristics, plug in electricity can be easily used.

Prefabricated Module Data center itself is a complete, full-featured data center, the so-called "Spadger, spite." The prefabricated module data center occupies a small area, the internal structure is more compact and efficient, and it has all the functions of the traditional data center. However, we must also clearly recognize that prefabricated modular data center solutions do not equate to better pue or higher energy efficiency, and that enterprises need a large number of prefabricated modular data center building experience, patented technology and implementation capabilities to obtain these characteristics. Because of Schneider Electric's ability, the prefabricated modular data center solution provided by Schneider Electric can help users achieve very low pue and high energy efficiency. Of course, this has much to do with the user's deployment environment and the specific scenarios that the user chooses.

Reporters have heard some users of the use of container data center complained that, because the container inside the space is limited, technicians in the maintenance of equipment, it is more difficult to turn around. Is there a similar problem with the prefabricated module data center? In fact, the prefabricated modular data center is not simply piling the device into the box. Relying on years of experience in data center construction and research and development optimization capabilities, Schneider Electric's prefabricated module data center solution takes into account the use of space and the ease of operation of personnel, security, which is a lot of container data center program can not match.

Huang told reporters that users must find a balance between rapid deployment and cost in the data center. Schneider Electric's research and practice shows that the prefabricated module data Center can reduce the data center construction cycle from the traditional 1-2 years to 3 months, at least 13% of the customer's initial investment savings (mainly from the design and installation part of the savings), if you take into account the construction of the building and other additional investment, The cost of prefabricated modular data centers is lower. However, some users interviewed by reporters also said that they will invest in building a room, IT systems will certainly be placed indoors, and UPS, refrigeration systems and other modules can be considered outside.

At present, there are many different container data center solutions in the market, and from the delivery speed, implementation experience and overall quality measurement, the mixed is not an exaggeration to say. As a result, users must be eyes when selecting a Prefab module Datacenter solution. A prefabricated modular data center solution that truly delivers value to the user requires the solution provider to have the following capabilities: Rich data Center building experience, complete and comprehensive product line, strong research and development strength and accumulation, local technical support capability. Schneider Electric has a unique advantage in these areas. Schneider Electric previously acquired the leader in the field of prefabricated module data center AST Modular. AST has over 14 years of prefabricated modular data center construction experience, with 450 successful cases worldwide, which will further consolidate Schneider Electric's leading edge in the prefabricated module data center market.

Change takes time.

Schneider Electric believes that the prefabricated module data center is not only suitable for large enterprises, but also suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. For the mobility, deployment speed requirements, or the enterprise's own site conditions are not available to users, can choose the Prefabricated Module data Center solution. For example, Schneider Electric provides a vehicle-or ship-mounted mobile data Center for oil and Science users, provides an independent container data center for manufacturing Enterprises, and provides IT companies with rapidly deployable, prefabricated data centers.

The Prefabricated module data Center brings not only the technical change, but also the transformation of the traditional data center construction and the Operation dimension mode. Would it be difficult for users to accept this change? Schneider Electric thinks it's not hard. The development of data center solutions is to help users simplify the entire process of data center from design to deployment and operation. The prefabricated modular data center simplifies the design and deployment of the data center, freeing users from the much-expended traditional data center design and construction work, and making them more focused on their business, a shift that users desperately need. The prefabricated modular data center turns a time-consuming and laborious data center project into a simple, integrated product.

In Europe and the United States and other countries, the preset module data center is already a universally accepted solution, but only from the past few years the container data center in China to promote the situation, or some acclimatized. Taking the United States as an example, it has the characteristics of high information level, populated and high human cost, and the modular data center has a certain Development foundation, which makes the idea of the prefabricated module data center easier to popularize. At present, the Chinese users of the prefabricated modular data center is not deep understanding, and China in the land and cost structure and the United States are significantly different, which makes the development of prefabricated modular data center in China is still in the initial stage. However, Schneider Electric is still optimistic about the future development potential of the prefabricated module data center in China. With the advantages of mobility, simple and flexible architecture, and rapid deployment, prefabricated modular datacenter solutions are likely to lead breakthroughs in the petrochemical, telecommunications, it and government industries.

Dalian Wanda Group Co., Ltd., director of Information Management Center engineer Hu said they have also learned about the Container data center solution, but eventually did not adopt, for many reasons, such as to meet the application requirements of the Container data center solution is not much; it is difficult to accept the relative "humble" from the idea Container solutions for open spaces; Container Data center maintenance is not convenient, especially in the wind and rain and other bad weather, it is difficult to ensure that the interior of the container data center cleanliness, temperature and humidity, wiring is also difficult to deal with. "The key to the data center is to keep it running." Therefore, our data center maintainability requirements are very high, we must try to avoid operational risk. "Hu said.

The current prefabrication Module Data Center solution can only meet the uptime T2 and T3 standards, while many of China's large-scale data centers are pursuing the T4 standards, this will not become a prefabricated module data center solution of a mishap? "The prefabricated modular data center is a complete solution, It is not limited to T2 and T3 standards. Traditional data center can be satisfied, the prefabricated module data center can also be implemented. Our basic design is currently oriented to T2 and T3 standard architectures based on the choice of most current users. For the T4 standard architecture or other special requirements, we can also provide other customized solutions to meet customer needs. ”

In the longer term, the simplification and intelligentization of the data center will be the trend of the future. The so-called extreme simplification is the data center infrastructure, including power distribution, refrigeration system, etc. to further simplify, IT infrastructure and computer room infrastructure will be further integrated, and the computer room building and data center infrastructure between the relationship will be further reduced, the future of the wall of the room may be as long as the load bearing this condition can be. In management, the future management of data centers can be as intelligent as the human nervous system.

When writing this article, the reporter learned of the latest information, Yutenyun Data center technology to undertake and implementation of Shenzhen Yantian Port Modern Logistics center prefabricated modular Data center has been officially launched, it for the local cloud computing and large data applications to build a strong infrastructure platform. At present, in China, the prefabricated module data center is still in the initial stage of development, few successful cases, the characteristics and advantages of such a solution has not been widely recognized. However, it is undeniable that the fire of prefabricated module data center has already begun to spread in China, this new type of data center construction method will accept the further investigation and verification of industry users.