Modular Data Center Infrastructure for Dynamic Capacity Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in efficiently managing and expanding their infrastructure to meet changing computing capacity needs, as existing infrastructure often requires significant time and resources to design, install, and modify, leading to excess capacity and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Just-In-Time (JIT) infrastructure installation system that incrementally adds infrastructure modules to match the computing capacity demands, using monitoring and distribution systems to identify deficits and install minimally sufficient infrastructure concurrently with rack computer systems, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing excess capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrastructure is installed based on design assumptions for expected server racks, then the data center can support initial computing capacity, but the infrastructure cannot adapt to actual server racks with different support requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic infrastructure allocation where computing capacity and infrastructure support are linked through virtualization technology. The infrastructure can be dynamically allocated to different server racks based on actual needs rather than static design assumptions. This allows the system to adapt to varying support requirements of different server racks while maintaining reliable support capacity.
2Productivity
If substantial infrastructure is installed to support increased computing capacity, then the data center can handle higher computing loads, but the installation process takes many months and requires substantial time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary virtualization setup and pre-configured infrastructure modules that can be rapidly deployed. By preparing virtualization environments and infrastructure components in advance as modular units, the system enables quick provisioning of computing capacity without requiring months of traditional infrastructure installation. The pre-configured modules can be deployed concurrently with server rack installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure is divided into discrete, modular components that can be independently deployed and scaled. This segmentation allows incremental infrastructure installation to match computing capacity needs, avoiding the need to install complete infrastructure systems months in advance. Each modular infrastructure component can be provisioned independently and rapidly deployed.
3Productivity
If infrastructure is modified to support newly installed server racks with greater support requirements, then the infrastructure can meet new computing demands, but the modification process is difficult and expensive when excess capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal infrastructure modules designed to support multiple server rack configurations through virtualization. These multi-functional infrastructure components can serve different computing demands without requiring custom modifications for each server rack type. The universal modules can be dynamically reconfigured to meet varying support requirements, making infrastructure modification straightforward and cost-effective.
4Reliability
If traditional infrastructure installation methods are used, then comprehensive support can be provided, but excess infrastructure capacity is created leading to resource inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor actual computing capacity needs and dynamically adjust infrastructure allocation. This feedback loop prevents over-provisioning by matching infrastructure support exactly to demonstrated computing demands. The system learns from actual usage patterns and adjusts resource allocation accordingly, eliminating excess infrastructure capacity while maintaining reliable support for actual workloads.
Data Source
AI summary
A data center includes various sets of infrastructure modules which each provide a particular type of infrastructure support to support computing operations in the data center. Separate sets of infrastructure modules can be installed incrementally based on incrementally changing support capacity for the corresponding type of infrastructure support in the data center. Such incrementally changing support capacity can be based upon support requirements of electrical loads, including rack computer systems, which are inbound to the data center. Where support capacity for a particular type of infrastructure support drops below a threshold, a quantity of additional infrastructure modules which provide the particular type of infrastructure support can be selected and installed to increase the support capacity. Separate sets of infrastructure modules can be selected and installed independently of each other, to independently adjust support capacity for separate types of infrastructure support, which can minimize excess support capacity at any given time.