Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying modifications in a data center to optimize airflow and cooling. The method includes: i) providing a model of the data centre represented as a grid having a plurality of cells, each cell having an object identifier selected from a plurality of objects including a floor tile, an open vent and an equipment rack; ii) assigning a score to each cell and to adjacent cells based on the cell's object identifier; iii) calculating a total score for each cell having a floor tile or open vent object identifier; iv) identifying whether a cell having an open vent object identifier has a total score below a lower score threshold; v) identifying whether a cell having a floor tile object identifier has a score above an upper score threshold; and vi) providing a visual output indicating any identified cells together with a recommendation for cells to be changed.

Abstract: Automatic monitoring of a cooling system and providing warnings of abnormal operation. The cooling system includes one or more air handling units to provide air flow cooling to a plurality of racks of computer equipment, each rack having a display module for indicating an inlet air temperature of the rack and an alert message. The monitoring includes: receiving, from a plurality of sensors, measurements of: an air flow temperature provided to each of the racks; and an air pressure, temperature and relative humidity difference across, and an electrical power consumption of, the air handling unit(s); updating a computer model of the cooling system with the received measurements; and for each rack, if a level or a rate of change of the inlet air temperature is outside of a preset range for the rack, transmitting an alert message to the display module to indicate a cause based on the computer model.

Abstract: Automatic monitoring of a cooling system and providing warnings of abnormal operation. The cooling system includes one or more air handling units to provide air flow cooling to a plurality of racks of computer equipment, each rack having a display module for indicating an inlet air temperature of the rack and an alert message. The monitoring includes: receiving, from a plurality of sensors, measurements of: an air flow temperature provided to each of the racks; and an air pressure, temperature and relative humidity difference across, and an electrical power consumption of, the air handling unit(s); updating a computer model of the cooling system with the received measurements; and for each rack, if a level or a rate of change of the inlet air temperature is outside of a preset range for the rack, transmitting an alert message to the display module to indicate a cause based on the computer model.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a remote location, such as a data centre, and in particular updating a computer model representation of the remote location based on measured temperature readings. The method includes: i) identifying a measurement point in a computer model representation of the remote location; ii) selecting an infrared temperature sensor in the computer model capable of taking a temperature measurement of the measurement point; iii) determining an orientation for the infrared temperature sensor to assume to take the temperature measurement of the measurement point; iv) instructing the infrared temperature sensor at the remote location to orient itself according to the determined orientation and to take a temperature measurement; v) receiving the temperature measurement from the infrared temperature sensor at the remote location; and vi) updating the computer model representation to assign a temperature to the measurement point based on the received temperature measurement.