Data center having expandable or multipurpose configuration

Abstract

A building includes a data center to house computing equipment including computers and servers. The data center stores data. The building also includes a multipurpose center that houses office spaces, conference rooms and meeting rooms. The data center and multipurpose center differ in function but share resources. The data center is expandable using a configuration of a control room, an electrical room and a mechanical room. Additional data center floors adjoin existing structures to increase available space in a linear manner.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to data centers and buildings housing computers / servers. More particularly, the present invention relates to data centers having modularity and expandability, as well multipurpose capabilities.DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]A data center houses servers, computers and other equipment to store large amounts of data. The amount of data produced by organizations and individuals increases exponentially over time, and this data must be stored safely and effectively. Systems are backed up as well, which increases the need for data storage. Data centers remain the best option for such storage as it moves the computers and servers to a remote location having lower costs and greater security than a location within offices or a headquarters.[0003]Most data centers are large and stand alone from other buildings, for example, as box-like, closed buildings. Data centers do not look like office buildings or commercial buildings. This di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]A data center having expandability and multi-use capabilities is disclosed that allows for upgrades, expansion and improvements without sacrificing service or space. The data center incorporates modularity and a unique configuration to encourage additional data centers being added onto an existing data center. Further, the data center may be combined with offices, conference rooms and other structures to form a multipurpose building that uses features of the data center to improve conditions in the other parts of the building.

Problems solved by technology

Sunlight and exposure to weather may degrade the performance of the equipment in the data center.

This equipment consumes energy in the form of power and in the demands to cool the area, much greater than typical office or commercial buildings.

Further, the equipment housed in a data center expels greater heat than conventional office equipment.

Data center growth is limited by lack of flexibility in design and functionality.

This limitation does not allow for upgrades in operational capabilities or availability of additional power.

No flexibility is provided to adjust to new demands.

Thus, a data center may be limited to outdated standards or capabilities after being in operation for a few years.

Another problem encountered by current data centers is expandability.

With the increased data storage demands, the structure may run out of room over time.

The data center may be unable to grow to house additional servers, computers and related equipment because of the lack of space or power to accommodate the additional load.

Moreover, the additional equipment expels greater amounts of heat, which leads to environmental concerns.

A space crowded with electronic equipment poses a hazard to that equipment as well as greater demands to cool the area.

Thus, the inability to expand creates problems in meeting increasing customer demands and with a greater impact on the environment.

Moreover, expansion of a data center results in construction while additional space is attached to the structure.

Dust, debris and the like also may find its way into the data center to further compromise operations.

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