Data center construction method, data center construction system, and data center

Abstract

To provide a server layout design method, a server layout design system and a data center for efficiently constructing a data center.SOLUTION: The locations of girders b1 and beams b2 of the existing building are specified in a first layer 510 where servers are located. Layout candidates are specified including areas a11, a12, a15, a16 and a19 for placing servers by areas surrounded with the girders b1 and the beams b2 and, in a second layer 520 immediately above the first layer 510, areas a21, a22, a25, a26 and a29 for removing a floor immediately above the areas a11, a12, a15, a16, and a19. In the layout candidates, the layout of the data center is determined according to the weight of the servers placed in the server arrangement areas and the floor weight of the floor removal area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a data center construction method, a data center construction system, and a data center for assisting in the construction of a data center.

Background Art

[0002] In a data center, each server generates heat by consuming a large amount of power, so it is necessary to consider the internal structure of the data center, such as air conditioning. Therefore, technologies for constructing a data center using the hot aisle - cold aisle method have been studied (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, building structures for data centers have also been studied (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the technology disclosed in this document, it has a beam connecting the first columns of the building and a truss beam connecting the second columns arranged in the building with a span longer than the span of the first columns. An outside air intake section for taking in cold air from the outside is provided in a chimney arranged outside the first columns.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Due to the closure etc. associated with the aging of existing data center facilities, there is a shortage in the supply of urban - type data centers in the city center. However, it is difficult to secure construction land for constructing a large - scale data center in the city center.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A method for constructing a data center to solve the above problems involves constructing a data center using an existing building. In the existing building, the location of beams on the first floor where servers will be placed is identified, and a candidate layout is identified that includes a server placement area enclosed by the beams and a floor removal area directly above the server placement area on the second floor directly above the first floor. In the candidate layout, the layout of the data center is determined according to the weight of the servers to be placed in the server placement area and the floor weight of the floor removal area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, data centers can be built efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of a data center construction system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram of the hardware configuration of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the processing procedure for the design process of a data center according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of an existing building of the embodiment, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the first floor before renovation, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the second floor which is above the first floor before renovation. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of a first candidate layout for the embodiment, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the first level after modification, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the second level after modification. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of a second candidate layout for the embodiment, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the first level after modification, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the second level after modification. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram of a third candidate layout for the embodiment, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the first level after modification, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the second level after modification. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram of a fourth candidate layout for the embodiment, where (a) is an explanatory diagram of the first level after modification, and (b) is an explanatory diagram of the second level after modification. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the process of constructing a data center according to an embodiment, where (a) is before renovation, (b) is after floor removal, (c) is after installation of air conditioning equipment, and (d) is after installation of servers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of a data center construction method using Figures 1 to 9. In this embodiment, a group of small data centers is constructed by renovating multiple existing buildings used for office purposes. These data centers are then connected by dedicated lines to realize a virtual large-scale data center. The data center construction method, data center construction system, and data center for constructing each data center in this case will be described below. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the data center construction system A1 uses user terminals 10 and support servers 20 that are interconnected via a network.

[0010] (Description of hardware configuration) Figure 2 illustrates the hardware configuration of the information processing device H10, which comprises the user terminal 10 and the support server 20. The information processing device H10 includes a communication device H11, an input device H12, a display device H13, a storage device H14, and a processor H15. Note that this hardware configuration is just one example, and it can be implemented using other hardware.

[0011] Communication device H11 is an interface that establishes a communication path with other devices and performs data transmission and reception, such as a network interface or a wireless interface.

[0012] The input device H12 is a device that accepts input of various types of information, such as a mouse or keyboard. The display device H13 is a display that shows various types of information. A touch panel display may be used as both the input device H12 and the display device H13.

[0013] The storage device H14 is a storage device that stores data and various programs for executing various functions of the user terminal 10 and the support server 20. Examples of the storage device H14 include a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like.

[0014] The processor H15 controls each process in the user terminal 10 and the support server 20 by using the programs and data stored in the storage device H14. Examples of the processor H15 include, for example, a CPU, an MPU, and the like. This processor H15 expands the program stored in a ROM or the like into a RAM and executes various processes for each process.

[0015] The processor H15 is not limited to performing software processing for all processes it executes. For example, the processor H15 may include a dedicated hardware circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing for at least a part of the processes it executes. That is, the processor H15 can be configured as follows.

[0016] 〔1〕One or more processors that operate according to a computer program (software) 〔2〕One or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of various processes 〔3〕A circuit (circuitry) including a combination thereof The processor includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM, and the memories store program codes or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. The memory, that is, the computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0017] (System configuration) Next, each function of the data center construction system A1 will be described using FIG. 1. The user terminal 10 is a computer terminal used by a designer who determines the placement of servers. The designer accesses the support server 20 by using the user terminal 10.

[0018] The support server 20 is a computer system that performs processing to support the design of a data center. This support server 20 comprises a control unit 21, a basic information storage unit 22, a building information storage unit 23, and a layout information storage unit 24.

[0019] The control unit 21 performs the processing described later (including the acquisition stage, design support stage, etc.). By executing the processing program for this purpose, the control unit 21 functions as the acquisition unit 211, the design support unit 212, etc.

[0020] The acquisition unit 211 acquires various types of information from the user terminal 10. Design support unit 212 assists in the design of data centers with server placement using existing buildings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) can also be used in this process.

[0021] The basic information storage unit 22 stores information to support server placement. In this embodiment, the basic information storage unit 22 stores information regarding the unit weight of the floor, the unit area of ​​the server rack, and the average weight. The unit weight of a floor is the weight per unit area, related to the type of floor structure. The unit area of ​​a server rack is the area of ​​a server rack with standardized specifications (e.g., 19 inches). The average weight of a server rack is the average weight of server racks used in data centers to house servers.

[0022] The building information storage unit 23 records building management information for buildings to be converted into data centers. This building management information is recorded when a building to be constructed as a data center is registered. The building management information includes a building identifier and design drawings for each floor.

[0023] The building identifier is an identifier used to identify the existing building on which this data center will be constructed. A floor is a level within an existing building where servers are located. The design drawings record information regarding the arrangement and size of the building's structural members (foundation, columns, beams, floors, walls, etc.).

[0024] The layout information storage unit 24 stores candidate layout information for the data center to be constructed in an existing building. This candidate layout information is recorded when design processing is performed. The building management information includes the building identifier and layout drawings.

[0025] A building identifier is an identifier used to identify an existing building on which a data center is to be constructed. Layout drawings are information used in design drawings to identify the areas to be left behind and areas to be removed, as described later.

[0026] (Design process) Next, we will explain the design process using Figure 3. First, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 executes the process of acquiring building information (step S11). Specifically, the acquisition unit 211 of the control unit 21 acquires building information from the user terminal 10.

[0027] For example, consider a case where a data center is constructed in an existing building using the first floor 510 shown in Figure 4(a) and the second floor 520 shown in Figure 4(b). Here, the first floor 510 is the lower floor (first floor), and the second floor 520 is the upper floor (second floor) directly above the first floor 510.

[0028] Next, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs a beam and column location identification process (step S12). Specifically, the design support unit 212 of the control unit 21 obtains the locations of structural members (beams, columns) on the floor where the server will be installed from the building information.

[0029] In the first layer 510 shown in Figure 4(a) and the second layer 520 shown in Figure 4(b), the column p1, main beam b1, and secondary beam b2 are identified. Next, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 executes a process to create layout candidates according to the beam and column positions (step S13). Specifically, the design support unit 212 of the control unit 21 divides the server installation floor into multiple floor areas.

[0030] In this embodiment, the floor of the first level 510 is divided into regions a10 to a19 enclosed by the main beam b1 and the secondary beam b2. Furthermore, the floor of the second level 520 is divided into regions a20 to a29 enclosed by the main beam b1 and the secondary beam b2.

[0031] Next, the design support unit 212 secures office space and utility space. In this embodiment, it is located on a different level from the first level 510 and the second level 520. The design support unit 212 then creates layout candidates that identify the area where the servers will be installed within the divided area. If office space and utility space are to be provided on the server installation floor, the layout candidates are created for the area excluding the office space and utility space.

[0032] In this case, a remaining area for placing servers and a removal area (floor removal area) for removing the floor are provided. When areas a10 to a19 are allocated to either the remaining area or the removal area in the first layer 510, 1048 layout candidates can be created. In this embodiment, layout candidates are generated under the following conditions.

[0033] • Both the first layer 510 and the second layer 520 shall have either a remaining area or a removal area. • The area to be removed shall be no more than half of the total floor area.

[0034] • Determine the area ratio between the remaining area and the area to be removed so that it falls within a predetermined range. The remaining area and the removal area are arranged symmetrically with respect to a predetermined axis passing through the center of the floor. In this embodiment, the remaining area and the removal area are arranged with axis C1 in the first layer as the axis of symmetry. The second layer 520, which is above the first layer 510, uses a layout in which the remaining area and the removal area of ​​the first layer 510 are reversed.

[0035] The following describes an example of a layout candidate created under the above conditions.

[0036] As shown in Figure 5(a), in the first layout candidate, areas a11, a12, a15, a16, and a19 of the first layer 510 are left as residual areas. On the other hand, areas a10, a13, a14, a17, and a18 are left as removal areas. In the figure, shaded areas indicate areas where the floor will remain, and dotted lines with an "x" indicate areas where the floor will be removed.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5(b), in the second floor 520, which is an upper floor of the first floor 510, the arrangement of the remaining areas and the removal areas in the first floor 510 is reversed. That is, the removal areas are provided in areas a21, a22, a25, a26, and a29 of the second floor 520. Meanwhile, the remaining areas are provided in areas a20, a23, a24, a27, and a28. In the first layout candidate, the cooling effect can be improved by distributing the servers.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(a), in the second layout candidate, retained areas are provided in regions a10, a11, a14, a15, a18, and a19 of the first layer 510, while removal areas are provided in regions a12, a13, a16, and a17.

[0039] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(b), in the second floor 520, which is an upper floor of the first floor 510, the arrangement of the remaining areas and the removal areas in the first floor 510 is reversed. That is, removal areas are provided in areas a20, a21, a24, a25, a28, and a29 of the second floor 520, while remaining areas are provided in areas a22, a23, a26, and a27. In the second layout option, the two remaining server areas can be combined to improve cooling efficiency and ease of maintenance.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), in the third layout candidate, retained areas are provided in regions a10, a12, a14, a16, and a18 of the first layer 510, while removal areas are provided in regions a11, a13, a15, a17, and a19.

[0041] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(b), in the second floor 520, which is an upper floor of the first floor 510, the arrangement of the remaining areas and the removal areas in the first floor 510 is reversed. That is, removal areas are provided in areas a20, a22, a24, a26, and a28 of the second floor 520, while remaining areas are provided in areas a21, a23, a25, a27, and a29. In the third layout option, the five remaining server areas can be grouped together to improve cooling efficiency and ease of maintenance.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(a), in the fourth layout candidate, areas a12 to a17 of the first layer 510 are left as residual areas, while areas a10, a11, a18, and a19 are left as removal areas.

[0043] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8(b), in the second floor 520, which is above the first floor 510, the arrangement of the remaining areas and the removal areas in the first floor 510 is reversed. That is, the removal areas are provided in areas a22 to a27 of the second floor 520, while the remaining areas are provided in areas a20, a21, a28, and a29. In the fourth layout candidate, the remaining areas can be grouped together in the first layer 510, thereby improving ease of maintenance. The design support unit 212 then records the generated layout candidates in the layout information storage unit 24.

[0044] Next, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 sequentially identifies the processing targets in the generated layout candidates and repeats the following process.

[0045] Here, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs an evaluation process for the number of servers to be placed according to the removal area (step S14). Specifically, the design support unit 212 of the control unit 21 calculates the floor area of ​​the removal area in the first layer 510 and second layer 520 of the layout candidate to be processed. Next, the design support unit 212 obtains the unit weight of the floor from the basic information storage unit 22. Next, the design support unit 212 calculates the weight reduced by removing the floor by multiplying the unit weight of the floor by the floor area of ​​the removal area. This removed floor weight is then used to correspond to the server weight. Using the weight reduced by removing the floor, the design support unit 212 calculates the load capacity of the building (frame design) by performing a structural calculation in the case of floor removal. Next, the design support unit 212 obtains the average weight of the server racks from the basic information storage unit 22. Then, the design support unit 212 calculates the number of servers that can be placed (first number of servers) by dividing the load capacity of the building by the average weight of the server racks.

[0046] Next, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs an evaluation process for the number of servers to be placed according to the remaining space (step S15). Specifically, the design support unit 212 of the control unit 21 calculates the floor area below the removal area (server placement area) in the first layer 510 and second layer 520 of the layout candidate to be processed. Next, the design support unit 212 divides the floor area of ​​the server placement area by the area of ​​one server rack to calculate the number of servers that can be placed (second server number).

[0047] Next, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs an overall evaluation process (step S16). Specifically, the design support unit 212 of the control unit 21 compares the number of first servers with the number of second servers and identifies the smaller number as the number of servers that can be deployed. The control unit 21 of the support server 20 repeats the process for all layout candidates until completion.

[0048] Next, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs output processing for layout candidates (step S17). Specifically, the design support unit 212 of the control unit 21 outputs layout candidates associated with the number of servers that can be placed to the display device H13 of the user terminal 10. In this case, the person in charge uses the user terminal 10 to check the layout options and decide on the desired layout.

[0049] (Construction of a data center) Next, we will explain the construction of a data center in an existing building using Figure 8.

[0050] Here, we assume a scenario where, as shown in Figure 9(a), a data center DC1 is constructed in an existing building b0 consisting of floors f1 to f5, with servers located on floors f2 to f4. First, as shown in Figure 9(b), the floor of the area to be removed is removed in the existing building b0 according to the layout determined in the design process. Here, the floors of the remaining areas a31, a41, and a51 are left, while the floors of the areas to be removed a32, a42, and a52 are removed. In this case, the small beams b2 in the areas to be removed a32, a42, and a52 are left in place.

[0051] Next, as shown in Figure 9(c), an air conditioning unit ac1 (an air conditioning system that circulates air) is placed on the joists b2 of the removal areas a32, a42, and a52. Then, as shown in Figure 9(d), server SL1 is placed directly below the location where the air conditioning unit ac1 is installed. In this embodiment, server SL1 is placed on floor f2 directly below the removal area of ​​floor f3, on the remaining area a31 of floor f3, and on the remaining area a41 of floor f4. This allows for the construction of data center DC1 in the existing building b0.

[0052] In this data center DC1, the server SL1 is cooled by downflow from the air conditioning unit ac1 on the upper floor.

[0053] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In this embodiment, a small-scale data center cluster can be constructed by renovating multiple existing buildings b0 used for office purposes. (2) In this embodiment, a retained area and a demolition area are provided in the existing building b0, and the server is placed in the retained area. In this case, the area of ​​the demolition area is limited to less than half of the total floor area. In the demolition area, the floor is removed, so even when a heavy server SL1 is placed there, the structural strength and seismic resistance of the existing building can be maintained.

[0054] (3) In this embodiment, the area ratio of the remaining area to the removal area is determined to fall within a predetermined range. This allows more servers to be placed in the remaining area for placing server SL1 and the remaining area for reducing the building load.

[0055] (4) In this embodiment, the remaining area and the removal area are arranged symmetrically with respect to a predetermined axis C1 passing through the center of the floor. If the arrangement is asymmetrically eccentric, the stress on the foundation and piles of the existing building will change. Therefore, by distributing the remaining area and the removal area, it is possible to suppress the uneven distribution of the building's load.

[0056] (5) In this embodiment, a layout is used in which the remaining area and the removal area are reversed between the upper and lower floors. This makes it possible to create an atrium above the server SL1 located in the remaining area. This atrium can then be used to cool the server SL1. By providing a removal area directly above the server SL1, both cooling of the server SL1 and a reduction in the building load can be achieved.

[0057] (6) In this embodiment, the joist b2 in the removal area is left in place. The air conditioning unit ac1 is then placed on the joist b2. This allows the server SL1 to be cooled from above using the air conditioning unit ac1. (7) In this embodiment, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs output processing of layout candidates (step S17). Here, layout candidates associated with the number of servers that can be placed are output. This makes it possible to determine the economics (cost performance) of the data center based on the number of servers that can be placed.

[0058] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically. In the above embodiment, the design process was executed using the user terminal 10 and the support server 20. Steps S11 to S17 may also be performed manually.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the remaining area and the removal area are arranged symmetrically with respect to a predetermined axis C1 passing through the center of the floor. Symmetrical arrangement with respect to the predetermined axis is not necessary as long as the uneven distribution of the building's load can be suppressed. In the above embodiment, the design support unit 212 calculates the live load of the building (framework design) by performing structural calculations for the case where the floor has been removed, using the weight reduced by the removal of the floor. Then, the design support unit 212 calculates the number of servers that can be placed (first number of servers) by dividing the live load of the building by the average weight of the servers. Alternatively, the number of servers that can be placed may be calculated by dividing the weight reduced by the removal of the floor by the average weight of the servers. Alternatively, the number of servers that can be placed can be calculated by adding the weight of the air conditioning equipment to the weight of the servers, taking into account the weight reduction achieved by removing the floor.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the control unit 21 of the support server 20 performs a comprehensive evaluation process (step S16). Here, the number of servers is used to evaluate the layout candidates. The evaluation method is not limited to this. For example, the thermal load due to the heat generated by the servers in the data center may be evaluated. In this case, a thermal load simulation is performed in which heat sources corresponding to the heat generated by the servers are placed in the remaining area. In this thermal load simulation, the load (power consumption, etc.) of the air conditioning equipment placed above the servers is predicted in order to maintain a predetermined temperature inside the data center. Then, in the output processing of the layout candidates (step S17), the control unit 21 of the support server 20 outputs the simulation results in association with the layout candidates.

[0061] In the above embodiment, a user terminal 10 and a support server 20 are used. The hardware configuration is not limited to this. For example, the user terminal 10 may be equipped with a control unit 21, a basic information storage unit 22, a building information storage unit 23, and a layout information storage unit 24, so that the design process is executed on the user terminal 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] A1...Data center construction system, 10...User terminal, 20...Support server, 21...Control unit, 211...Acquisition unit, 212...Design support unit, 22...Basic information storage unit, 23...Building information storage unit, 24...Layout information storage unit.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a data center using an existing building by computer, The aforementioned computer, In the aforementioned existing building, the location of the beams on the first floor where the servers are to be placed is identified. A candidate layout is identified that includes the server placement area enclosed by the beams and the floor removal area directly above the server placement area on the second floor directly above the first floor. A data center construction method characterized by outputting layout candidates according to the weight of the servers to be placed in the server placement area and the floor weight of the floor removal area.

2. The data center construction method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the computer identifies a layout in the candidate layout in which servers having a weight corresponding to the load-bearing capacity of the existing building corresponding to the floor weight of the floor removal area are placed in the server placement area.

3. The data center construction method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the computer further provides a floor removal area on the first floor in the layout candidate.

4. The data center construction method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the computer provides an air conditioning system that circulates air using the beams of the floor removal area on the second floor in the layout candidate.

5. A construction system equipped with a control unit that determines the layout for installing data center servers in an existing building, The control unit, In the aforementioned existing building, the location of the beams on the first floor where the servers are to be placed is identified. A candidate layout is identified that includes the server placement area enclosed by the beams and the floor removal area directly above the server placement area on the second floor directly above the first floor. A data center construction system characterized by outputting layout candidates according to the weight of the servers to be placed in the server placement area and the floor weight of the floor removal area.

6. A data center located within an existing building, Within the aforementioned existing building, on the first floor where the servers are located, the server placement area is a floor area enclosed by beams, A data center characterized in that, on the second floor directly above the first floor, a floor removal area is provided above the server placement area, where the floor is removed while leaving the beams intact.

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