BT is trialling "precision liquid cooled" network switches using a solution provided by Iceotope and Juniper Networks QFX Series Switches, which are widely used in existing network cloud architectures.
In addition to its trial with Iceotope and Juniper, BT will test the following liquid cooling systems, which were also demonstrated at BT Group’s Sustainability Festival:
- Precision Liquid Cooled networking servers and data centre equipment, with Iceotope and Juniper
- Full immersion of networking servers in an immersion tank, with Immersion4
- Liquid-cooled cold plates of networking equipment in a cooling enclosure, with Nexalus
- Cooling using sprayed-on partial immersion of data centre equipment, with Airsys.
BT Group expects that several different cooling solutions could eventually be deployed, depending on specific location and operational requirements. The trials will aim to establish which solutions are optimal for each scenario, and the extent of potential energy savings.
Maria Cuevas, Networks Research Director, BT Group said, “As the UK’s largest provider of fixed-line broadband and mobile services in the UK, it isn’t a surprise that over 90% of our overall energy consumption – and nearly 95% of our electricity - comes from our networks. In a world of advancing technology and growing data demands, it’s critical that we continue to innovate for energy efficiency solutions. Liquid cooling for network and IT infrastructure is one part of a much bigger jigsaw but is an area we’re very excited to explore with our technology partners.”
https://newsroom.bt.com/bt-takes-the-plunge-with-new-liquid-cooling-trials/
