Equinix, a global leader in data centers, has recently unveiled plans to expand its support for liquid cooling technologies. This move comes as businesses increasingly require high-density hardware and seek more efficient cooling solutions. By offering liquid cooling options, Equinix aims to provide its customers with enhanced capabilities to meet the evolving demands of modern IT deployments.
Current support for liquid cooling
Equinix is no stranger to incorporating liquid cooling technologies in its data centers. The company already supports liquid-to-air cooling through in-rack heat exchangers. This solution assists in managing heat generation and ensuring optimum performance of hardware housed within the data centers.
Vendor-neutral approach
One notable aspect of Equinix’s expansion plans is its commitment to a vendor-neutral approach. This approach allows customers to select their preferred hardware provider when implementing liquid cooling technologies. By adopting a vendor-neutral stance, Equinix aims to offer flexibility and accommodate diverse customer needs.
Expansion of support
Equinix’s ambition is to extend support for liquid cooling technologies to more than 100 of its International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers across over 45 metros worldwide. This wide-reaching deployment will enable businesses in various locations to leverage liquid cooling for their high-density hardware requirements.
Equinix has specifically identified several sites where direct-to-chip liquid cooling will be available. These locations include London, Silicon Valley, Singapore, and Washington DC—major technology hubs where demand for advanced cooling solutions is high. The company plans to roll out the technology to these facilities by the first quarter of 2024, ensuring timely access to cutting-edge cooling capabilities.
Equinix’s expertise in data center capacity
Equinix’s extensive experience and expertise in managing data centers uniquely position the company to support organizations in meeting the complex requirements of modern IT deployments. As applications like artificial intelligence (AI) continue to evolve and demand efficient data center capacity, Equinix aims to innovate and provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate such advancements.
Previous Trials and Adoption of Liquid Cooling
Equinix has a track record of exploring liquid cooling technologies. The company has conducted previous trials in select facilities to evaluate the effectiveness of liquid cooling in addressing high-density hardware challenges. Equinix’s commitment to ongoing research and development in this area underscores its dedication to staying at the forefront of cooling solutions for data centers.
Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling Technology
One of the key aspects of Equinix’s expanded support is the adoption of direct-to-chip liquid cooling. This approach involves utilizing a cold plate that sits on top of the chip within the server, transferring heat away from the critical components. By cooling the chip directly, Equinix enhances the thermal management of high-performance hardware, ensuring optimal operating conditions for mission-critical systems.
Increasing density and the need for efficient cooling techniques
The relentless advancement of new applications has led to an exponential increase in hardware requirements. As these requirements intensify, data centers face the challenge of efficiently cooling high-density setups. Traditional cooling techniques are no longer sufficient, prompting the need for innovative alternatives like liquid cooling. Equinix recognizes this shift and is committed to providing scalable and efficient solutions to address the cooling challenges faced by businesses today.
Equinix’s expansion of support for liquid cooling technologies marks a significant step forward in meeting the changing needs of modern data centers. By extending its liquid cooling offerings globally, Equinix empowers businesses to leverage high-density hardware without compromising on performance or thermal management. With its vendor-neutral approach and expertise in data center capacity, Equinix is set to play a pivotal role in facilitating the growth and innovation of organizations relying on advanced IT deployments. As the demand for more efficient cooling techniques continues to rise, Equinix’s commitment to liquid cooling positions it as a key player in shaping the future of data center cooling.