Abstract: A management system controls environmental conditions to facilitate operating state changes of individual information technology (IT) equipment within a data center. A management controller accesses a specification data structure containing environmental conditions specified to enable each one of the IT components to function in operational operating state(s). The management controller determines a temperature range specified in the specification data structure for a first IT component that is scheduled to transition into a first operational state. The management controller adjusts a temperature set point of supply air provided by the data center to the first IT component to be within the temperature range. In response to determining that the interior air temperature is within the temperature range, the management controller triggers activation of the first IT component into the first operating state.

Abstract: An information handling system may include a direct-current power supply, a plurality of information handling resources configured to receive electrical energy from the direct-current power supply, a thermal control subsystem configured to regulate temperature within the information handling system, and a control subsystem configured to, when temperature proximate to at least one of the direct-current power supply and the plurality of information handling resources is outside of temperature specifications: isolate the direct-current power supply from a mains power source of the information handling system and deactivate the direct-current power supply to prevent delivery of electrical energy to the plurality of information handling resources.

Abstract: An environmental system protects internal components of a data center from condensation due to exposure to outside air. An environmental controller of the environmental system monitors sensor(s) that detect an outside temperature value and an outside humidity value of the outside air and an interior air temperature value of the data center. The environmental controller identifies an external access request to open an access door that exposes heat-generating IT component(s) within the data center to outside air. Based on the outside and the interior air temperature values and the outside humidity value received from sensor(s), the environmental controller determines that a dew point temperature of the outside air is greater than the interior air temperature. In response, the environmental controller increases a temperature set point of the cooling system to a first temperature value that increases the interior air temperature above the dew point temperature of the outside air.

Abstract: A multiple mode cooling system circulates outside air through a data center to cool heat-generating information technology (IT) component(s). Based on outside and interior air temperature values and outside humidity value, a controller determines that outside air cooling poses a risk of damage to the heat-generating IT component(s) due to condensation or overheating. Controller also determines that compressor(s) of the cooling system have been inactive for less than a minimum off-time specified for maintaining service life of the compressor(s). In response, controller checks a cooling mode setting and, based on determining that a cooling mode setting indicates an optimization preference for avoiding the posed risk of damage to the heat-generating IT component(s) over compressor service life, the controller restarts the compressor(s) before expiration of the minimum off-time.

Abstract: A modular data center (MDC) has an air handling system that air cools a volumetric container and heat-generating equipment contained in externally attached equipment panels. Heat-generating information technology (IT) component(s) are positioned within the volumetric container with a cold aisle defined on one side and a hot aisle defined on another side of the IT component(s). The IT component(s) has air-cooling air passages that fluidly communicate between the cold and the hot aisles. A cooling unit pressurizes the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. The equipment panel(s) are externally attached to an exterior wall of the volumetric container. A supply air conduit directs supply air from the cold aisle into the equipment panel(s). A return air conduit directs air warmed by the heat-generating equipment inside the equipment panel into the hot aisle from the equipment panel(s) that receives the supply air.

Abstract: A data center, an air handling system, and a method for installing equipment in a data center enable internal differential pressure relief within the data center. A volumetric container has mounting location(s) for heat generating information technology (IT) component(s) positioned within the volumetric container. A cold aisle on one side and a hot aisle on another side of the IT component(s) that have air passages for air cooling. A cooling unit is coupled to the volumetric container to pressurize the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. An air barrier is attached across an air passage between the cold and the hot aisles. A differential pressure relief mechanism is attached to the air barrier. The differential pressure relief mechanism is configured to open in responses to an air pressure difference across the differential pressure relief mechanism exceeding a pressure threshold.

Abstract: An information handling system may include a direct-current power supply, a plurality of information handling resources configured to receive electrical energy from the direct-current power supply, a thermal control subsystem configured to regulate temperature within the information handling system, and a control subsystem configured to, when temperature proximate to at least one of the direct-current power supply and the plurality of information handling resources is outside of temperature specifications: isolate the direct-current power supply from a mains power source of the information handling system and deactivate the direct-current power supply to prevent delivery of electrical energy to the plurality of information handling resources.

Abstract: A modular data center (MDC) includes an in-band communication network connection communicatively coupled between an information technology (IT) component of the MDC and a data center external to the MDC. A sensor of a security system of the MDC detects a presence of a person in proximity to an exterior of the MDC or inside of the MDC. In response to determining that the person is detected, a controller of the MDC determines whether the detected person is authenticated. In response to determining that the detected person is not authenticated, the controller authenticates the data center via the in-band communication network connection, and the controller transfers computing workload and data from the at least one IT component to the data center via the in-band communication network connection.

Abstract: A security system autonomously secures a modular data center (MDC) from a detected external threat by disabling access to physical communication ports. Sensor(s) are monitored that detects a presence of a person in an exterior or interior of a volumetric container of an MDC. Information technology (IT) component(s) are positioned within the volumetric container and include physical communication port(s) that receive a hot pluggable device containing memory. In response to determining that a detected person is not authenticated, a controller identifies any hot pluggable device that is currently engaged to a physical communication port of the MDC. The controller selectively disables access via the physical communication port(s) that is not engaged to a hot pluggable device. The controller enables continued access to the IT component(s) by any identified hot pluggable device that was engaged to a physical communication port before detecting the presence of the unauthenticated person.

Abstract: An environmental system protects internal components of a data center from condensation due to exposure to outside air. An environmental controller of the environmental system monitors sensor(s) that detect an outside temperature value and an outside humidity value of the outside air and an interior air temperature value of the data center. The environmental controller identifies an external access request to open an access door that exposes heat-generating IT component(s) within the data center to outside air. Based on the outside and the interior air temperature values and the outside humidity value received from sensor(s), the environmental controller determines that a dew point temperature of the outside air is greater than the interior air temperature. In response, the environmental controller increases a temperature set point of the cooling system to first temperature value that increases the interior air temperature above the dew point temperature of the outside air.

Abstract: A management system controls environmental conditions to facilitate operating state changes of individual information technology (IT) equipment within a data center. A management controller accesses a specification data structure containing environmental conditions specified to enable each one of the IT components to function in operational operating state(s). The management controller determines a temperature range specified in the specification data structure for a first IT component that is scheduled to transition into a first operational state. The management controller adjusts a temperature set point of supply air provided by the data center to the first IT component to be within the temperature range. In response to determining that the interior air temperature is within the temperature range, the management controller triggers activation of the first IT component into the first operating state.

Abstract: A multiple mode cooling system circulates outside air through a data center to cool heat-generating information technology (IT) component(s). Based on outside and interior air temperature values and outside humidity value, a controller determines that outside air cooling poses a risk of damage to the heat-generating IT component(s) due to condensation or overheating. Controller also determines that compressor(s) of the cooling system have been inactive for less than a minimum off-time specified for maintaining service life of the compressor(s). In response, controller checks a cooling mode setting and, based on determining that a cooling mode setting indicates an optimization preference for avoiding the posed risk of damage to the heat-generating IT component(s) over compressor service life, the controller restarts the compressor(s) before expiration of the minimum off-time.

Abstract: A data center, an air handling system, and a method for installing equipment in a data center enable internal differential pressure relief within the data center. A volumetric container has mounting location(s) for heat generating information technology (IT) component(s) positioned within the volumetric container. A cold aisle on one side and a hot aisle on another side of the IT component(s) that have air passages for air cooling. A cooling unit is coupled to the volumetric container to pressurize the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. An air barrier is attached across an air passage between the cold and the hot aisles. A differential pressure relief mechanism is attached to the air barrier. The differential pressure relief mechanism is configured to open in responses to an air pressure difference across the differential pressure relief mechanism exceeding a pressure threshold.

Abstract: A modular data center (MDC) has an air handling system that air cools a volumetric container and heat-generating equipment contained in externally attached equipment panels. Heat-generating information technology (IT) component(s) are positioned within the volumetric container with a cold aisle defined on one side and a hot aisle defined on another side of the IT component(s). The IT component(s) has air-cooling air passages that fluidly communicate between the cold and the hot aisles. A cooling unit pressurizes the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. The equipment panel(s) are externally attached to an exterior wall of the volumetric container. A supply air conduit directs supply air from the cold aisle into the equipment panel(s). A return air conduit directs air warmed by the heat-generating equipment inside the equipment panel into the hot aisle from the equipment panel(s) that receives the supply air.

Abstract: A modular data center (MDC) includes an in-band communication network connection communicatively coupled between an information technology (IT) component of the MDC and a data center external to the MDC. A sensor of a security system of the MDC detects a presence of a person in proximity to an exterior of the MDC or inside of the MDC. In response to determining that the person is detected, a controller of the MDC determines whether the detected person is authenticated. In response to determining that the detected person is not authenticated, the controller authenticates the data center via the in-band communication network connection, and the controller transfers computing workload and data from the at least one IT component to the data center via the in-band communication network connection.

Abstract: A security system autonomously secures a modular data center (MDC) from a detected external threat by disabling access to physical communication ports. Sensor(s) are monitored that detects a presence of a person in an exterior or interior of a volumetric container of an MDC. Information technology (IT) component(s) are positioned within the volumetric container and include physical communication port(s) that receive a hot pluggable device containing memory. In response to determining that a detected person is not authenticated, a controller identifies any hot pluggable device that is currently engaged to a physical communication port of the MDC. The controller selectively disables access via the physical communication port(s) that is not engaged to a hot pluggable device. The controller enables continued access to the IT component(s) by any identified hot pluggable device that was engaged to a physical communication port before detecting the presence of the unauthenticated person.

Abstract: One technique for improving cooling system efficiency is to operate cooling for a data center with a dynamic and distributed cooling system. A distributed cooling system may include multiple compressors operating cooperatively for cooling the data center. A dynamic cooling system may adjust operation of the compressors based on one or more parameters, such as inside temperature, outdoor temperature, inside humidity, outside humidity, and load on the data center. By appropriately controlling speeds of the compressors, the power efficiency of the cooling system may be improved by ensuring that all activated compressors are operating within their efficient operating range. By doing so, the cooling system may be controlled to obtain an approximately linear power consumption as a function of cooling load.

Abstract: An automated refrigerant recharging system determines whether a cooling load parameter of a direct expansion (DX) cooling system that cools information technology (IT) modules of an information handling system (IHS) has reached a defined recharging threshold that results in a response of the pressure value for measurement by the pressure transducer. In response to the cooling load parameter being equal to or greater than the defined recharging threshold, a controller determines whether a pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than a defined target pressure value corresponding to the defined recharging threshold. In response to determining that the pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than the defined target pressure value, the controller autonomously opens a control valve to transfer refrigerant to the DX cooling system.

Abstract: A cooling system, large-scale information handling system (LIHS), and method avoid vapor condensation in information technology (IT) modules by operating all air handling units (AHU) in the same mode of operation. An AHU supervisory controller of the cooling system determines whether a trigger condition exists that indicates a risk of vapor condensation in the at least one IT module within LIHS that is cooled by more than one AHU. Each AHU directs the intake of cooling air in a selected mode of operation from among: (i) an outside air mode; and (ii) a mechanically cooled air mode. In response to determining that the trigger condition exists, the AHU supervisory controller triggers all AHUs to operate in a mode of operation selected to avoid condensation.

Abstract: A modular data center (MDC) has information technology (IT) component(s) positioned within an interior enclosure of a volumetric container of the MDC. An in-band communication network connection is between the IT component(s) and a data center external to the MDC. A security system includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the IT component(s) and the in-band communication network connection. The controller executes a security platform application that enables the MDC to secure the IT component(s). The controller monitors the in-band communication network connection for a loss in communication that can be indicative of a preparatory act by an unauthorized person to compromise the IT component(s) or access computing workload and/or data. In response to determining that the in-band communication network connection is not operable, the controller autonomously secures the IT component(s), computing workload, and data by removing a locking key of a storage device to encrypt storage media.