WO2020086628A1 - Modular data center - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure describes modular data centers that can be equipped with a man trap, a portion of which may function as a meet-me-room, and that contain individual equipment cabinets housed in a data room. The modular data center and/or each of the equipment cabinets may provide independent secure access to multiple users for different sets of electronic equipment. Security at each level may be provided by mechanical and/or electronic (e.g., FOB or biometric) mechanisms. The modular data centers are ruggedized for use in environments potentially damaging to computer equipment, including high humidity environments.

Description

MODULAR DATA CENTER

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/749,641 filed October 23, 2018, which application is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Modular data centers have been described for a variety of uses including as data storage and/or for telecommunications. One concern regarding prior modular data centers is their inability to adequately shield sensitive equipment from the external environment while providing high density data storage and processing capabilities. The present modular data centers are designed to include, when desirable, a man trap that not only provides an environmental control space between the data room and the exterior environment, but also allows for tiered levels of security. By incorporating a man trap, a portion of which may act as a secure meet-me room, the data center design permits many functions to be performed by technicians without providing access to the data room, thereby limiting both security and environmental threats (e.g., the introduction of moisture) to equipment in the data room. The equipment cabinets, which may also be equipped with separate security for the entire cabinets or portions thereof (e.g., compartments), provide y3t another level of security and environmental control.

SUMMARY

[0003] Described herein are modular data centers that contain individual equipment cabinets housed in a data room. The modular data centers, although portable, are mggedized for use in environments potentially damaging to computer equipment (e.g., environments that experience periodic or constant humidity at levels that can form condensed water droplets on electronic equipment). In an embodiment, each equipment cabinet (which may have a cuboid shape) contains (a) one or more racks each comprising two or more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or more) slots and/or shelves for electronic equipment (e.g., racks with 20U to 48 U, or 40 U to 48 U, of space for computer equipment such as servers, memory, drives, and the like), (b) all or part of a backup power unit comprising at least one backup power source (e.g., batteries, strands of batteries, and/or capacitors) for supplying power to electronic equipment located within the modular data center (e.g., electronic equipment housed fully or partially within the cabinet where the backup power source(s) are located), (c) an optional cabinet fire suppression system housed fully or partially within any one or more of the one or more cabinets, and (d) optionally one or more humidity, infrared, and/or temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electronic equipment mounted in the rack, and/or the temperature and/or humidity in or adjacent to the rack. The cabinets, or any one or more compartments of the cabinets, have front, or front and back, access doors and/or access panels. The access doors or panels may be independently selected to have one or more sections that permits air to enter and/or exit the cabinet permitting cooling of electronics housed in the cabinet while providing separate secure access to the cabinet and/or individual compartments of the cabinet.

[0004] The modular data centers may, or may not, be outfitted with a man trap that acts as both a security zone and an air lock permitting access to the data room through a pair of doors without directly exposing the equipment in the data room to the outside environment. Where the modular data center contains a man trap, it may be used as a location for and access to equipment that is not required to be in the data room environment, and/or to which a level of security lower than that of the data room may be granted. In an embodiment, the man trap, or a portion thereof, may serve as a “meet-me room” (“MMR”) where external communication lines (e.g., fiber optic, ethernet, coaxial, or other forms of hard wiring) come into the modular data center and where they can be connected (e.g., assigned to ports by switching the wiring of connections) to the equipment within the data room without having to enter the data room itself. This arrangement limits access to, and potential contamination of, the data room from the environment external to the modular data center, while still permitting access by personnel for many purposes including changing the input connections to equipment present in the data room and changing (e.g., making or breaking) interconnections between users (e.g., telecommunication and/or internet providers) of the equipment present in the data room.

[0005] By providing separate security (e.g., separate levels of access) for the exterior door to the modular data center 10 and the data room door 11 at least two levels of security, or security zones, can be achieved/provided. The current design, however, permits additional levels of security by restricting access to portions of the modular data center as separate security zones (e.g., the man trap, a portion of the man trap serving as the MMR if separately walled off, and/or the data room may each be separately secured). In addition to the specific security zone 15 formed in the man trap, separate secure access may be provided for individual equipment (e.g., electrical panels 17) placed in electrical housings or cabinets 19 within the MMR. Another advantage of the present design is the flexible security arrangements provided by the equipment cabinets themselves, which allow more than one customer/client to have secure access to portions of one or more racks (e.g., compartments or sub compartments housing electronic equipment racks or parts of electronic equipment racks) within the equipment cabinets. As such, a modular data center having even only a single equipment cabinet can provide separate secure access to the man trap, the MMR, and/or the data room, and in addition, provide separate secure access to various equipment in the MMR, and to each compartment or sub compartment of the equipment cabinet(s).

[0006] Where customers/clients share access to a single modular data center, MMR and/or equipment cabinet, security may be provided such that each area where separate security is desired (e.g., the MMR, the data room, specific equipment cabinets or specific compartments of the equipment cabinet) is outfitted with separate locking mechanisms and/or other security features (e.g., cameras). Accordingly, even competing telecommunication and/or internet providers can effectively utilize one modular data center while providing individual secure access to each.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Fig. 1A shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center 1 with a man trap 2 for access to a data room 3, two equipment cabinets 4, a primary cooling unit 5 and a secondary (backup) cooling unit 6. In Fig. 1A the cooling units and the equipment cabinets are movable in the direction of the double headed arrow and are located in a first position providing access to the front face 8 of the equipment cabinets 4 from the cold aisle 3a marked off on the data room floor plan by a dot and dash line

[0008] Fig. IB shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center as shown in Fig. 1 A with the equipment cabinets 4 and cooling units 5 and 6 positioned in a second position, where they are located partially or fully in the cold aisle 3a (cold aisle position), which provides access to the back face 9 of the equipment cabinets and cooling units.

[0009] Fig. 1C shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center as shown in Fig. 1 A with the equipment cabinets 4 and cooling units 5 and 6 positioned in the first position leaving the cold aisle fully or substantially unoccupied. In Fig. 1C the primary cooling unit 5 and the secondary cooling unit 6 are separated and placed on opposite sides of the equipment cabinets.

[0010] Fig. ID shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center 1 with a man trap 2 for access to a data room 3, and two groups having two equipment cabinets 4 and cooling units. Cooling for the equipment cabinets is provided by primary cooling units 5a and 5b, and secondary cooling unit 6a and 6b (backup cooling unit 6b is optional and need not be included). The cooling units and the equipment cabinets are movable in the direction of the double headed arrow and are located in a first position providing access to the front face 8 of the equipment cabinets 4 from the cold aisle 3a marked off on the data room floor plan.

[0011] Fig. 2A shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center as shown in Fig. 1 A using unfilled arrows to indicate the overall clockwise flow of air through data cabinets 4 into primary cooling unit 5, from which cool air is expelled from the face of the cooling unit into the cold aisle and reenters the equipment cabinets 4 from their faces and/or sides (if the sides permit air to enter the cabinets. The dashed unfilled arrows show the flow of air when the primary cooling unit 5 is not operational and the secondary cooling unit is operating in its place. Most elements are not numbered for clarity.

[0012] Fig. 2B shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center as shown in Fig. 1C using unfilled arrows to indicate the overall clockwise flow of air through data cabinets 4 into primary cooling unit 5, from which cool air is expelled from the face of the cooling unit into the cold aisle and reenters the equipment cabinets 4 from their faces (and sides, if the sides permit air to enter the cabinets). The dashed unfilled arrows show the overall counter clockwise flow of air when the primary cooling unit 5 is not operational and the secondary cooling unit is operating in its place. Most elements are not numbered for clarity.

[0013] Fig. 2C shows a schematic floor plan for a modular data center as shown in Fig. 1D using unfilled arrows to indicate some of the flow of air through data cabinets 4 into primary cooling units 5a and 5b, from which cool air is expelled from the face of the cooling units into the cold aisle and reenters the equipment cabinets 4 from their faces (and sides, if the sides permit air to enter the cabinets). The dashed unfilled arrows show the overall flow of air when the primary cooling units 5a and 5b are not operational and the secondary cooling units 6a and 6b are operating in their place. It will be recognized that the flow of air would be different when only one of cooling units 5a or 5b is not operational and only one of units 6a and 6b is operational. In addition, where the optional cooling unit 6b is not present, the flow would also be different when either primary unit 5a or 5b is not operational and unit 6a is operational. Most elements are not numbered for clarity.

[0014] Fig. 3A show an exemplary schematic of an equipment cabinet. In Fig. 3A, the cabinet is a single rectangular box (rectangular prism) that can house the electronic equipment rack(s) and/or electronic equipment, whether racked or not racked.

[0015] Fig. 3B shows an embodiment of a cooling unit.

[0016] Figs. 4A and 4B show two schematics (not to scale) of the man trap (mantrap) that may be utilized with any of the modular data center designs described herein (e.g., the modular data centers illustrated in Figs. 1A through 1C). In Fig. 4A, the man trap is provided with a dedicated separately securable zone 15 that can house e.g., electrical, internet, and/or telecommunication equipment generally housed in panels 17 (e.g., power supply, multiplexing equipment, internet connectivity equipment) and/or that can be used as a meet-me room. In Fig. 4B, the dedicated section 15 is separated and secured from the area adjacent to the entrance door 10 and data room door 11 by a physical barrier 16 that may be formed by a door, gate, or wall and door or gate combination. Electrical equipment and/or panels 17 housing equipment may be mounted on any one or more of the walls (e.g., the wall bearing the exterior door, the wall bearing the data room door, or the exterior wall at the far end of the mantrap (panels need not be present at each of the locations shown). Also shown are security cameras 18 adjacent to the exterior door and the data room door 11. Fig. 4B shows an alternative embodiment where separately securable zones are formed around each piece of the electrical equipment and/or electrical equipment panels 7 by housings 19. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4B, the physical barrier 16 shown in Fig. 4A may be installed as an option.

[0017] Fig. 5 shows one embodiment of the end view of the man trap from the perspective of a person standing on the floor 20 at the point where a physical barrier 16 (not shown) can be, or is, located. Secure housings 19 containing panels 17 (not shown) are shown disposed on any one or more of the wall 21 bearing the exterior door, the end wall 22, and/or the wall bearing the data room door 11. Although the figure shows six secure housings as upper and lower housings placed in the man trap, any one or more of them may be present or absent, and their size and/or location may be changed. Also shown is the ceiling 24.

[0018] Fig 6 shows two wiring schematics for a modular data center similar to that shown in Figs. 1 A and IB, with the cooling units and the equipment cabinets partially in the cold aisle (between the first and second position). The upper schematic in the figure provides the wiring diagram for lighting and the lower schematic the remainder of the wiring diagram. Also provided is a key for the wiring symbols.

[0019] Fig 7 shows two wiring schematics for a modular data center similar to that shown in Fig. ID with the cooling units and the equipment cabinets partially in the cold aisle (between the first and second position). The upper schematic in the figure provides the wiring diagram for lighting and the lower schematic the remainder of the wiring diagram. The wiring symbols are as in the key provided in Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1.0 Definitions

[0020] Shippable container as used herein is a container that may be transported by truck (e.g., tractor trailer), air plane, or rail. Shippable containers include intermodal shipping containers, and containers prepared from general purpose intermodal shipping containers with a shorter length.

[0021] Equipment cabinets of a modular data center comprise one or more compartments that may include one or more racks for placement and support of the electronic equipment (e.g. , computers, memory, servers etc.). The cabinets may contain one or more (e.g., two) backup power units). The equipment cabinets optionally include other components such as temperature and/or humidity sensors, access security, and video security.

[0022] Compartment as used with respect to equipment cabinets refers to a portion of the cabinet that contains space for equipment or rack(s) for electronic equipment.

[0023] A“meet-me room” (MMR) as used herein is a place within a modular data center where users of equipment within the data room (e.g., telecommunications companies and/or internet service providers) can physically connect to one another and exchange data and/or change their connections with equipment in the modular data center (e.g., equipment in the equipment cabinet(s)). This may be accomplished without incurring local loop fees. Services provided across connections in an MMR may include voice circuits, data circuits, and/or internet protocol traffic. For example, to interconnect, customers/users of the modular data center arrange for the organization running the modular data center, or an individual having security access to the required equipment in the MMR, to connect them together. These physical connections may be an optical fiber cable, coaxial cable, twisted pair, or any other networking medium.

[0024] In an embodiment, the meet-me room will include multiplexing equipment that permits a customer/user to have a connection point (e.g., a single location for connection) between equipment in the MMR and any or all equipment (e.g., the user’s equipment) in the modular data center. In an embodiment the multiplexing equipment can break out a connection (provide a separate connection) that allows for a direct, private connection to one or more other customers/users whose equipment, or connections to their equipment, is present in the MMR or other parts of the modular data center (e.g., the data room). In an embodiment, an internet exchange point is present in the MMR to allow customers/users with equipment in the MMR to interchange traffic without having to make physical interconnections between every possible pair/combination of customers/users with equipment (or connections to equipment) present in the MMR.

2.0 Modular Data Center

[0025] Modular data centers are constructed and designed to be shippable and are in the form of a shippable container that is comprised of lateral exterior walls, doors, a floor, and a top wall that forms the roof and interior ceiling, unless the interior is provided with another (e.g., suspended) ceiling. Those components define an exterior surface and an interior space. The interior space may be divided into a data room and a man trap by a partition wall, with the man trap subject to subdivision by a wall and/or a door or gate to form a separate MMR if desired.

2.1 The Modular Data Center Shippable Container

[0026] Although other types of shippable containers may be used for constructing modular data centers, durable steel“general-purpose” or“dry freight” shipping boxes either 20 or 40 feet (6.1 or 12.2 m) in length are generally employed, although modules as long as 48 feet (about 14.6 meters) may be employed. Such general-purpose containers commonly have a height from 8 to 10 feet with a standard container having a height about 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m), and a“high cube container” having a height of about 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 m). Larger and smaller data centers can be constructed in custom sized containers; however, using general purpose containers or high cube containers with shortened lengths facilitates transport of the modular data centers with standard intermodal transport equipment. In an embodiment, the shippable container may be an ISO shipping container, which has a standard width (about 2.259 or 2.26 m).

[0027] Although the modular data centers described herein may be any shape, if they are prepared from general purpose shipping containers (including high cube containers), they will generally take the form of a rectangular prism (rectangular box) or a square box (cube or cuboid). While the modular data centers described herein are substantially rectangular or square enclosures, it is understood that any number of elements {e.g., door handles, locks, mounting brackets and the like) may cause variations in the shape. In general, the modular data centers described herein have a substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint.

[0028] In an embodiment, the modular data centers described herein have a substantially rectangular or square footprint with a width from 7 to 9 feet (e.g., the width of the footprint, and of the container, is from 7 to 9 feet, 7.5 to 8.5 feet, 7.8 to 8.2 feet, 7 to 8 feet, 8 to 9 feet or about 8 feet). Some embodiments of the modular data centers having dimensions with an overall rectangular prism shape are provided in Table 1.

Table 1.

[0029] A variety of materials may be used to construct the shippable container of modular data centers. In an embodiment, the modular data centers described herein may be constructed with the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor comprising metal, plastic, wood, or fiberglass. In an embodiment, the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor, including the container doors 12 which may form all or part of one lateral wall, are comprised of metal. In an embodiment, the lateral exterior walls and/or top wall are comprised of metal. In an embodiment, the lateral exterior walls and top wall are comprised of metal and the floor of wood (e.g., plywood). Where metal is used to construct the shippable container, in some embodiments the container, and hence the modular data center, may be comprised of a ferrous metal (e.g., steel such as COR-TEN^® steel) and/or aluminum. In embodiments, the lateral exterior walls and the top wall are comprised of corrugated metal (e.g. , corrugated aluminum and/or steel) except that doors need not be corrugated metal (e.g., container doors 12, exterior door 10, and/or emergency exit door 13 need not be comprised of corrugated metal). [0030] In an embodiment, the floors of the modular data center are comprised of a slip resistant surface such as, for example, textured metal in the form of diamond plate metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), or other textured and/or non-slip metal surfaces (e.g., ALGRIP® from Ross Technology Corp., Leola, PA) which may be laid over a subfloor. The subfloor may be comprised of, for example, metal, wood, fiberglass or a composite comprising any of the foregoing.

[0031] The shippable containers used for the modular data centers are weather tight, substantially prohibiting the entrance of wind, rain, snow, moisture, and the like, to the extent necessary to operate the modular data center in adverse weather conditions. In an embodiment, the incorporation of a man trap (e.g., with humidity control) permits the modular data center to be operated at 70° F to 110° F (e.g., at 70°, 80°, 90°, 100° or 110° F, or in a range from 70°-80°, 80°- 90°, 90°-100° or 100°-110° F) at greater than 70% (e.g., at greater than 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or at 100%) saturating humidity. In an embodiment, a modular data center comprising a man trap with humidity control can operate at 110° F at _ % saturating humidity. Depending on the intended location for operating the modular data centers described herein, the lateral walls, top walls, doors, and/or floor may be insulated. Where the walls, doors, and/or floor are insulated, the interior walls may not be formed from the same material used to form the exterior walls, and the interior wall and exterior wall may be spaced apart to accommodate insulation and/or wiring (e.g., the rooms may have a suspended or dropped ceiling to accommodate insulation and/or wiring. The modular data centers, particularly when insulated, may be sufficiently air-tight so that in certain embodiments vents to supply or exchange air in the data room and/or man trap with fresh external air are provided (e.g., as part of the heating/cooling of the data room and/or man trap). Incoming air can be dehumidified and filtered to remove dust/particulates as necessary. In an embodiment, such vents are only opened (e.g., manually and/or electronically, such as by motion sensors) when individuals are present in the man trap and/or data room of the modular data center.

[0032] The exterior surface of the data center can be coated (e.g., painted) for appearance and corrosion resistance. In an embodiment, the exterior surface is painted with a coating that reflects a substantial amount of ultraviolet, visible, and/or infrared light (e.g., at least 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% of the incident light energy) so as to minimize absorption of heat that needs to be dissipated. Examples of such coatings include but are not limited to: Energy Start Cooling Paints from ASTEC® (24 Pinn Street, St. Marys, S.A. 5042; CeramaX from Acryl-Tech Coatings (3601 NE 5th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334).

2,2 Configuration and Access to the Modular Data Center

[0033] The modular data centers described herein generally have a rectangular prism or cuboid shape. In an embodiment they are divided internally into a man trap 2 and a data room 3 (see, e.g. , Figs. 1-3). The man trap, which may be subdivided into a separately secured zone 15 acting as a “meet-me room” (MMR), discussed in more detail below, is the point for general access to the data room and has an exterior entrance door 10 and a data room door 11 leading to the data room. The data room is provided with an emergency exit door 13 to provide immediate egress from the data room without going through the man trap. In some embodiments, the data room is also provided with shippable container door (s), or container door(s) 12. The container doors, when present, may form all or part (e.g., substantially all) of one of the shippable container’s lateral walls (see, e.g., Figs. 1A and ID). Container doors 12 permit larger items to be inserted into, or removed from, the data room. Any or all of the areas to be separately secured (e.g., doors, access panels etc.) in the modular data center may be secured by outfitting them with mechanical and/or electronic locks (e.g., biometric security) to limit access. Electronic locks include those responding to any passive form of electronically recognized signal such as that from a FOB or an RFID tag (passive, semi-passive battery assisted, or active) that may operate in the low (e.g., 30 KHz to 300 KHz), high (e.g., 3 to 30 MHz) or ultra-high frequency range (e.g., from 300 MHz to 3 GHz). Electronic locking mechanisms also may include biometric security measures including, but not limited to, fingerprint, retinal scan (recognition), voice, and/or facial recognition. In an embodiment, one or more (e.g., two, three, four or more, or even all) of the areas to be secured are equipped with electronic and/or biometric locks that may have a mechanical override (e.g., key and/or combination lock) in case of electrical failure. In an embodiment, one or more (e.g., two, three, four or more, or even all) of the exterior entrance door 10, the data room door 11, any one or more equipment cabinet compartment(s) or any one or more sub-compartment(s) are equipped with electronic and/or biometric locks that may have a mechanical override (e.g., key and/or combination lock) in case of electrical failure.

[0034] Any one or more of the lateral walls and/or doors may be fitted with windows that may or may not be openable to admit, for example, air and/or natural light. Similarly, the top wall may be fitted with skylights, which may or may not be openable, to admit, for example, air and/or natural light. Windows and/or skylights, when present, may be fire -rated (e.g., employ fire -rated wired glass) for both fire and physical security.

[0035] Depending on where the modular data center is operated, it may be outfitted with heating and/or cooling systems for the man trap and/or data room that is/are separate from the cooling systems for the equipment cabinets. In an embodiment, the heating/cooling system for the man trap is housed wholly or partly in the man trap on a lateral wall (e.g., at or near the top wall/ceiling level) and/or on the top wall/ceiling.

[0036] The modular data center, including the data room, the MMR, and/or the man trap, may be equipped with independent or combined fire detection, fire alarms, and/or fire suppression systems. When combined the response will trigger fire suppressant release in all areas of the modular data center, and when independent the systems will trigger release of fire suppressant in separate areas (e.g., the data room and man trap). In an embodiment, the modular data center is equipped with automated fire detection equipment (e.g., heat, infrared, and/or smoke detectors) that can trigger alarms and/or trigger fire suppression system(s) in any one or more of the data room, MMR and/or man trap. When triggered (automatically or manually), fire suppression system(s) may release fire suppressants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (e.g., Halon, 3M NOVEC 1230™ or DuPont™ FM-200®, also known as HFC-227ea or heptafluoropropane), an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen or argon), CO2 or a combination of any of the foregoing. The data center alarm system may also trigger local audible alarms and/or transmit an alarm notification to another location where the modular data center is being monitored. Fire suppressants in the form of gases may be stored in pressurized cylinders 14 in the man trap, MMR, and/or the data room, and distributed through a fire suppression system within the modular data center.

[0037] In an embodiment, the modular data center is equipped with surveillance equipment (e.g., cameras for visible and/or infrared light, and/or video surveillance cameras). The surveillance equipment may be directed at: areas surrounding the exterior of the modular data center (e.g., areas around or including the exterior door 10, the data room door 11, and/or the emergency door for the modular data center); the man trap (including, if desired separate surveillance equipment for any area acting as the MMR); and/or all or part(s) of the data room. The surveillance system may be monitorable by individuals within the modular data center (e.g., in the data room) or by individuals monitoring the modular data center remotely.

[0038] Modular data centers as described herein are also capable of being outfitted with solar panels on all or part of their external surfaces. In an embodiment, the solar panels are located on the top wall (roof) and may be secured there by way of a mounting system (e.g., rails, tracks, clips and the like). In one embodiment, the mounting system extends beyond the area of the top wall (e.g. , by extension rails), thereby increasing the total area utilized for collecting solar energy. Electrical power generated from the solar panels may be used within the modular data center, or it may be used for other purposes (e.g., to charge batteries for emergency backup power and/or to provide security such as video monitoring, electronic locks, and/or lighting).

2.2 Man trap

[0039] As discussed above, the man trap 2 serves as the point for general access to the data room. It is fitted with an exterior entrance door 10 that allows passage between the area outside the data center (external environment) and the man trap. Passage between the man trap and the data room is achieved by data room door 11. The man trap, or a portion of the man trap, may also serve as an MMR. In an embodiment, the portion of the man trap serving as an MMR may be subdivided by an access door (e.g., a wire or mesh door), or a wall and door, to form a separately secured zone (sub room or closet-like space) 15 that acts as an MMR. [0040] As one purpose of the man trap is to prevent direct exposure of equipment in the data room to materials in the environment, including moisture, that can potentially damage equipment, the man trap may be equipped with an interlock system that prevents both the entrance and data room doors from being opened at the same time, unless it is overridden. The interlock may be mechanical or electronic, and may have an override (e.g., a mechanical override for emergency purposes), which can be attached to an alarm. As moisture in the air represents one of the materials in the environment that can damage electronic equipment by condensing on the surface of equipment cooled below the dew point (e.g., leading to corrosion, damage to electrical contacts, shorts, and/or other bases for equipment failure such as chemical decomposition), the man trap may be equipped with temperature and/or humidity control. The man trap temperature/humidity control system(s) may be dedicated system(s), or they may be part of (a function of) the modular data center’s (e.g., data room) humidity and temperature control (heating and/or cooling) system(s). In an embodiment, the man trap is equipped with a moisture sensor to detect the moisture content of air in the man trap and optionally display the output in the man trap, the data room, and/or to those conducting remote monitoring (e.g., the man trap and data room) thereby indicating it is safe to open the data room door. The moisture sensor can also interface with the interlock to prevent accidental opening of the door to the data room when moisture levels in the man trap are too high (e.g., near, at, or above the dew point of equipment in the data room).

[0041] The man trap may be formed by a partition wall that extends from floor-to-ceiling and, when including the data room door, spans the container connecting opposing walls (see, e.g. , Figs, 1A to 2C) thereby separating it from the data room. In an embodiment, the partition wall forming the man trap (and, when present, the MMR) may extend from floor-to-ceiling and may be substantially air-tight, without grills or vents. In such an embodiment, openings used for wires, conduits, and the like to pass from the data room to the man trap can be sealed (e.g., using flanges, or foams made from compliant or rigid materials). In an embodiment, the partition wall forming the man trap (and, when present, the MMR) may extend from floor-to-ceiling, but may contain vents, grills, or mesh covered openings to the data room that permit air flow but not allow a person to access the data room. Where vents are present in the partition wall forming the man trap, air flowing in the modular data center can be directed to flow from the data room to the man trap (when doors 10-13 are closed), such that moist air introduced into the man trap by way of exterior door 10 does not reach the data room before being treated to remove the moisture and to regulate the temperature (heat or cool) of the air as desired. In another embodiment, the partition wall may form the man trap by forming a booth like structure along one of the lateral walls or in a corner of the data center by connecting adjacent lateral walls. There is no requirement for the man trap to be square or rectangular, and its footprint may be, for example, triangular, quadrilateral, circular (with a rotary door), or arc shaped. It should be noted that there is no requirement that the partition wall extend from the floor to the top wall (ceiling) of the modular data center, as the man trap may be provided with, for example, an independent ceiling.

[0042] In some embodiments, the man trap may be replaced by a rotary door assembly, which may be of the type formed by an inner body having multiple rotating flat panels or a cylinder having only a single opening rotating within a substantially cylindrical body. The substantially cylindrical body has openings positioned such that a person may exit the inner body into the data room or man trap when the single opening in the inner body is suitably aligned with the opening to one of those rooms. That is, the opening in the inner body must be oriented toward the opening ( e.g . , the external door) where a user who wishes to enter the inner body of the rotary door is positioned. After the user enters the inner body, it is rotated to another opening (e.g., the data room side) where the user exits the rotary door assembly.

[0043] In an embodiment, the surface area of the man trap floor (man trap square footage) is from 9 to 36 square feet (e.g., 9 to 15, 15 to 25, 25 to 36 square feet or less than 36, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 square feet.

[0044] Depending on where the modular data center is being located and used, in some embodiments the man trap may be omitted. For example, placement of a modular data center in a secure and temperature and/or humidity-controlled environment (e.g., within a secure manufacturing facility where the external temperature and humidity levels are controlled) may render the man trap superfluous for controlling moisture and/or secure access. Where the man trap is omitted, exterior entrance door 10 may open directly into the data room.

2.3 Data Room

[0045] The principal purpose of the data room 3 is to provide a location and suitable environment for the equipment cabinets that house electronic equipment that may be secured as desired. The data room has at least one entrance from the man trap or, when the data center is not equipped with a man trap, from an exterior door. The data room may also be fitted with an emergency exit door 13 and container doors 12. Any or all of the doors leading to or from the data room may be fitted with switches, sensors (e.g., contact switches, infrared, weight and/or motion sensors) and/or cameras (e.g., video surveillance) that inform anyone monitoring the modular data center locally or remotely that the man trap and/or data room has been entered or exited. Depending on the circumstances of the installation, one or more of the doors (e.g., the emergency door) may be equipped with local audible alarms.

[0046] In an embodiment, the data room is provided with a heating and/or cooling system that may also serve to regulate the temperature of the man trap. The data room may also be equipped with a separate humidity control system (e.g. , a dehumidifier) that may also regulate the humidity of the man trap. Alternatively, humidity control may be accomplished by the heating/cooling system. In an embodiment, temperature and humidity control in the man trap and data room are provided by separate equipment.

[0047] In an embodiment the data room and/or the man trap are equipped with a dust/particulate control system. The dust/particulate control system may include filters ( e.g . , high efficiency particulate air or“HEPA” filters) and/or electrostatic precipitators.

[0048] Cables providing connections from the equipment cabinets to the power distribution system/power supply link and data link may be located along/within the walls, along or under the floor, in trays and/or along (e.g., in overhead ladder trays), suspended from, and/or placed within the ceiling as“overhead cables” over all or part of their length.

[0049] In an embodiment, equipment in the data room (e.g., the equipment cabinets) is linked to one or more systems external to the modular data center (e.g., electrical power, and data links such as telecommunication voice/data, corporate intranet, and/or internet systems) through connections located in the man trap and/or an MMR section of the man trap. In one such embodiment, one or more of the external connections (e.g., cables or wires) enters the modular data center in the man trap (or the portion serving as the MMR) and may connect to equipment therein. Data link connections to equipment in the data room (e.g., equipment stored in the equipment cabinets) are then made by wireless or“wired” (e.g., fiber optic, ethernet, coaxial, or other forms of hard wiring) connections. In a related embodiment, the data link (e.g., telecommunication voice/data, corporate intranet, and/or internet systems) enters the man trap and/or MMR and is subsequently connected to equipment in the data room; however, the electrical power (power supply link) for the equipment cabinet is made through/within the data room.

[0050] In an embodiment, the data room serves as the location where the data link and/or power supply link enter the modular data center and connect data room equipment (e.g., electronic equipment in the equipment cabinet(s)) to one or more systems (e.g., telecommunication, intranet, and/or internet systems) external to the modular data. In one such embodiment, a modular data center is equipped with a MMR, or with a man trap with a MMR (e.g., including equipment/panels such as secured panels 17), even though a data link enters the modular data center in the data room.

[0051] Regardless of where the data link enters the modular data center (e.g., the man trap, MMR, and/or data room, the modular data center, and particularly the data room, may include wireless networks and/or cables (wire, fiber optic etc.) that connect electronic equipment in the data room and/or the equipment cabinets with the data link. In an embodiment where cables are utilized for forming connections to the data link, they may be fully or partly imbedded in the walls, floor, or ceiling, and/or they may be carried in a tray or supported (e.g., in an overhead ladder tray) for all or part of their length. [0052] The modular data center may also provide a power distribution system comprising a wiring network that connects to the power link providing electrical power from a source external to the modular data center. In that way, equipment in the modular data center and data room (including, but not limited to, the equipment cabinets) can receive power from an external source. As with the cables connecting equipment to the data link, the wires of the power distribution system may be fully or partly imbedded in the walls, floor, ceiling, and/or carried in a tray (e.g., an overhead ladder tray). The power distribution system in the modular data center may also include one or more surge protection devices, or devices that“clean” or“condition” incoming power so that it conforms with the requirements of the electronic equipment installed in the data center. An electrical ground system may also be included in the power distribution system or as a separate system to ensure that all components including, but not limited to, the equipment cabinets are properly grounded. In an embodiment, the modular data center is grounded to an external electrical supply’ s common ground and/or the ground, and equipment internal to the modular data center is grounded directly, or indirectly, to the modular data center and accordingly to the common ground and/or the ground.

[0053] While it is possible to permit the equipment cabinets (and cooling units) to move freely within the data room, the data room may also be fitted with systems to control/restrict their movement. In an embodiment, the data room is equipped with one or more guides 7 (e.g., rails and/or tracks that are elevated above the floor, embedded in the floor, and/or one or more channels or grooves in the floor that serve to guide the motion of the equipment cabinets and cooling units. Equipment cabinets and cooling units may be designed with secure attachment points (e.g., D-rings, and the like affixed to the cabinets or cooling units about halfway between the floor and their top). The cabinets and/or cooling units can then be tethered to the walls or floor of the data center to prevent them from moving (e.g., during shipment).

3.0 Equipment Cabinets

[0054] Equipment cabinets are comprised of several components including, but not limited to, a cabinet that includes a location for electronic equipment (e.g. , computer equipment such as servers, memory, drives, routers and the like). The location for electronic equipment may be one or more racks each comprising two or more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or more) slots and/or shelves for locating electronic equipment. In an embodiment, the rack space may be from 20 U to 48 U (e.g., 30 U to 42 U, 30 U to 48 U, 40U to 48 U).

[0055] Equipment cabinets may be equipped with redundant backup power units, and may also be equipped with one or more humidity and/or temperature sensors for measuring temperature and/or humidity of equipment located within the cabinet (e.g. , mounted in the rack), or the temperature and/or humidity of air within or adjacent to the rack where electronics are located. In addition to security provided to the modular data center and the data room, the equipment cabinets may be equipped with cameras and security systems (e.g., electronic and/or mechanical locks) on any or all doors and/or access panels providing access to the interior of the cabinets. Equipment cabinets may also be equipped with internal lighting (e.g., LED lighting, such as in a strip) and fitted with caster wheels on the underside that permit movement of the cabinet (e.g., along guides 7). During operation, the triggering or failure of: any one of the redundant systems (e.g., cooling and backup power), the fire suppression system(s), an operating temperature or humidity outside of preset ranges, and/or unauthorized intrusion into the equipment cabinet, may cause an audible alarm to sound and/or notification to be sent to a remote location where the modular data center is being monitored.

3.1 Equipment Cabinet Structure

[0056] The cabinets of the equipment cabinets are typically metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), or metal and glass, and provide a secure enclosure for the electronic equipment that will be installed within the cabinet, which may also house one or more backup power units.

[0057] Equipment cabinets may conveniently have an overall rectangular prism or cuboidal shape. The shape itself is non-functional and cabinets of other shapes may be employed. As discussed above, in an embodiment the cabinets may be divided into one or more (e.g., 2, 3 or 4) compartments that provide separate secured access to electronic equipment (e.g., housing for one or more racks). Each, or any, combination of equipment cabinets, or compartment(s) of equipment cabinets, present in the data room may be provided with doors or access panel covers having separate security measures. Any combination of the front face 8, back face 9, sides 25 of a cabinet (or cooling unit), or doors or panels 26 on an equipment cabinet, cooling unit or their compartments, may comprise sections 27 that permit air to enter and/or exit (e.g., flow through) the cabinet and/or adjacent cooling units. The sections that permit air to enter and/or exit the cabinet may comprise grates, grills, bars, woven mesh, non-woven mesh, and/or perforated sheets, any or all of which may be made from metal (e.g., sheets of metal). In an embodiment, the sides and any doors or panels on the front or back face of the cabinet are made from perforated metal (perforated sheet metal).

[0058] Internally, the compartments of the cabinet may be separated to limit access from one compartment to another compartment. The separation measures include, but are not limited to, solid, perforated, or woven materials (e.g., solid or perforated metal sheets and/or mesh). Accordingly, the equipment cabinets present in a data room may be used to provide separate secure access to as many groups of equipment or users as the number of compartments provided in the data room’ s equipment cabinet(s). In an embodiment, one or more equipment cabinets may house a rack for electronic equipment with singular access to the entirety of the electronic equipment rack. In an embodiment, one or more equipment cabinets may house one or more racks for electronic equipment, but the cabinets are divided into two or more (e.g., three or more, four or more, five or more, or six or more) compartments providing separate secure access to a portion of the one or more equipment racks (and the electronic equipment housed in that portion of the rack).

[0059] The interior of the cabinets, or any one or more ( e.g ., each) compartment of the cabinet, is accessed by an access door or panel on the front face, or access doors and/or access panels on the front and back faces of the cabinet. In one embodiment, at least one (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or each) compartment of an equipment cabinet is a substantially rectangular box (rectangular prism) and has access doors and/or access panels on the front face, or the front and back faces of the equipment cabinet. In another embodiment, each compartment of the equipment cabinet is substantially a rectangular prism, and each compartment of the equipment cabinet has an access door and/or access panel on the front face, or an access door and/or access panel on the front and back faces of the equipment cabinet.

3.2 Housing Electronic Equipment and Rack Systems

[0060] Computing systems such as computer server systems are often rack-mounted systems in which removable electronic equipment is positioned (e.g. , stacked) in a shelf-like manner within the slots (e.g., locations along rails) of a frame or rack. Racking systems permit electronic equipment to be organized substantially vertically and provide for the efficient use of space. Electronic equipment can be slid in and out of slots in the rack-mounting system. The slots of a rack may accommodate servers, or components of a server/server system including, but not limited to, digital electronic storage such as random-access memory (RAM). The slots of a rack may also accommodate network interfaces, parallel and/or serial ports, memory drives (e.g., solid state drives, floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, compact disk (CD) drives, and/or digital video disk (DVD) drives), small computer system interfaces (SCSI), high-definition multimedia interfaces (HDMI), controllers (e.g. , bus or video controllers), routers, power condition and/or surge protection equipment and the like.

[0061] In an embodiment, EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) standard server racking (e.g., “nineteen-inch” racks) may be utilized in the equipment cabinets. Such racks have mount rails 17.75 inches (450.85 mm) apart with a height measured in 1.75-inch (44.45 mm) increments. By way of example, a 42U rack would have an internal rack unit height dimension of 73.5 inches (1.8669 m). In one embodiment, at least one, two or three of the equipment cabinets (e.g., all of the equipment cabinets) in a modular data center contain 20 U to 48 U racks (e.g., 30 U to 42 U, 30 U to 48 U, 40U to 48 U or 42U-48U racks). In some instances any one or more equipment cabinets are fitted with independently selected 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 or 48 U racks. In such embodiments, the rack space may be divided among two or more racks (e.g., two or more smaller racks may be used to provide the same amount of rack space) and located in separate compartments or together in one compartment of an equipment cabinet. In addition to the foregoing, racks for electronic equipment may be housed in one or more compartments of an equipment cabinet that are separate from the compartment(s) where backup power units and/or their backup power sources are housed.

3.3 Backup Power System

[0062] The backup power system comprises at least one backup power unit which acts as an uninterruptable power supply or UPS. In an embodiment the backup power system comprises two or more independent redundant backup power units (power supply units), which each act as a UPS. Where two backup power units are present, the units may be designated as a primary (first) and secondary (second) unit, where the primary unit acts if the external power supplied to the data center or the cabinet fails and the secondary unit acts if both external power and the primary unit fail. Each backup power unit obtains its electrical power from a backup power source (e.g., strands of batteries and/or capacitors). Each backup power unit may have the required circuitry to detect the loss of power, create power of the correct voltage and/or waveform, and/or to filter power surges. In an embodiment, the backup power source for each backup power unit is supplied from one or more (e.g., strands) charged batteries.

[0063] All or part of each backup power unit comprises one or more backup power sources (e.g., batteries, strands of batteries, and/or capacitors) for supplying power to electronic equipment located within the modular data center (e.g., electronic equipment housed fully or partially within the cabinet where the backup power source(s) are located). The backup batteries and/or capacitors may be designed to provide power for a specified period of time in the event of an external power failure. In various embodiments, backup power is supplied for 3 minutes or more, 5 minutes or more, 10 minutes or more, or 15 minutes or more. Batteries may be provided with their own dedicated cooling systems and, depending on the size of the batteries and/or the time backup power is required, may be located in a separate compartment of the equipment cabinet and/or wholly or partially outside of the cabinet.

[0064] In addition to providing backup power, the redundant backup power supply units may also act as surge protectors and otherwise condition the electricity reaching electronics (e.g., regulate the voltage and/or the waveform) installed in the equipment cabinet (e.g., racked in the equipment cabinet).

3.4 Sensors

[0065] The equipment cabinets may be equipped with one or more humidity and/or temperature sensors for measuring temperature and/or humidity at various locations (e.g., the temperature and humidity levels affecting various equipment located within the cabinet). In an embodiment, the temperature of various equipment (e.g. , one or more servers) located in a rack housed within the cabinet may be assessed. [0066] In addition to humidity and temperature sensors, the equipment cabinet may be equipped with infrared and smoke sensors as discussed above. As discussed below, the equipment cabinets may also be equipped with security sensors.

[0067] Sensors may be used to regulate the environment within the cabinet automatically. For example, when temperature sensors indicate the temperature is too high, they may signal for increased cooling, such as by regulating fan speed, or compressor duty cycle (fraction of time in operation). Similarly, elevated humidity may be adjusted by changing cooling system factors. When primary systems fail to produce the response signaled for by the sensors after a given time period (e.g., sufficient cooling is not being achieved), the sensors may trigger the switch to a redundant system where it is available.

[0068] In addition to the foregoing, when any of the sensors detects an environmental condition outside of the normal operating range and/or outside of a predetermined range, it may cause an audible alarm to sound in the modular data center and/or transmit a notice/warning indication to a remote location monitoring the modular data center. For example, when conditions are out of the acceptable predetermined ranges of temperature, humidity, and/or smoke or particulates in the air, the sensors may cause an alarm to sound, provide visual signals (flashing lights), and/or send notifications to individuals or computer systems monitoring the modular data center either onsite or at a remote location.

4.0 Cooling Units

[0069] Regardless of the type of cooling system employed (e.g., refrigerant, chilled water, etc.), the modular data center will have a heat exchanger located in the cooling units in the data room for collecting at least a portion of the heat generated by electronics in the equipment cabinet, and a heat exchanger located outside of the modular data center for dissipating the collected heat. Where the cooling system is refrigerant based, the heat exchanger in the cooling unit will be an evaporator and the heat exchanger located outside will be a condenser.

[0070] As with the equipment cabinets, the housing of cooling units is typically metal (e.g., steel or aluminum), and provides a secure enclosure for the heat exchanger (e.g., evaporator coils) that will be installed within the unit along with fans to force air to circulate between the data room and the equipment cabinets.

[0071] The cooling units may conveniently have an overall rectangular prism or cuboidal shape that can be about half as wide as the equipment cabinets. At least one side and the face of the cooling units, which is oriented toward the cold aisle of the data room when in operation, comprises at least one section that permits air to enter and/or exit (e.g., flow through) the cooling unit and/or adjacent cabinets. Where a cooling unit (such as primary cooling unit 5 in Fig. 1 A) is sandwiched between an equipment cabinet 4 and a secondary/backup cooling unit 6, the face and both sides may comprise at least one section that permits air to enter and/or exit (e.g., flow through) the cooling unit. The section(s) that permit air to enter and/or exit the cabinet may comprise grates, grills, bars, woven mesh, non-woven mesh, and/or perforated sheets, any or all of which may be made from metal (e.g., sheets of metal). In an embodiment, the sections are made from perforated metal (perforated sheet metal).

[0072] Air circulation in the data room generally goes from the interior of the electronics cabinets where it is heated through the side(s) of the equipment cabinet and the side of the cooling unit where it passes over the heat exchanger and is cooled. After being cooled it is forced out of the face of the cooling unit (by fans/blowers) into the cold aisle of the data room where it reenters the equipment cabinet(s) through a section in the face and/or sides that permits air to enter the cabinet. In such embodiments there is no“hot aisle” outside of the equipment cabinets.

[0073] In an embodiment, cooling of the interior of the equipment cabinet, or one or more compartments thereof, is accomplished using refrigerant cooled air circulating through the cabinet and/or compartments of the cabinet. Cooling air may be directed to a compartment of the cabinet in which racks, which may contain electronic equipment, are located using fans to focus cooling air streams as necessary or desirable. Refrigerant cooled air is generally formed by passing refrigerant through a heat exchanger (evaporator) in the cooling unit, where the refrigerant expands and cools the heat exchanger while warm air is passed over the heat exchanger, losing heat to the refrigerant and becoming cooled in the process. Heat accumulated by the refrigerant is dissipated in a heat exchanger (a condenser) located outside of the modular data center. It is possible to enhance the efficiency of such systems where clean water is available by using indirect adiabatic cooling, in which case, for example, water is sprayed on the external exchanger of the cooling system to assist in heat dissipation. The efficiency of the system may also be increased by using adjustable output (e.g., infinitely adjustable) compressors, and adjustable speed fans on the cooling units and/or internal to the equipment cabinets for circulating/recirculating cooling air. In addition to any air circulating equipment in the cooling unit or in the equipment cabinet, individual electronic components, such as servers and/or processors may be equipped with dedicated air circulating equipment to enhance cooling of specific components.

[0074] The dissipation of heat generated within the modular data center, including the equipment cabinets, may be accomplished using heat exchangers located externally to the modular data center. In an embodiment, one, two, three, four, five, six, or more (e.g., all) of the heat exchangers for dissipating heat collected by each of the individual cooling units located within the data center are located: (i) on one lateral exterior wall of the modular data center; (ii) on the top wall (roof) of the modular data center; (iii) on one or more (e.g. , two, three or more) lateral exterior walls of the modular data center; or (iv) on one or more ( e.g ., two, three or more) lateral exterior walls and the top wall of the modular data center.

[0075] In an embodiment, all of the individual heat exchangers for dissipating heat collected by each of the individual cooling units are located on the exterior lateral wall in which entrance door 10 which provides access to the man trap, is located (see, e.g., Figs. 1-3).

[0076] In an embodiment, all of the individual heat exchangers for dissipating heat collected by each of the individual cooling units are located on the exterior lateral wall opposite to the wall in which entrance door 10 is located. In such an embodiment the heat exchangers may be attached to the container doors 12 or attached to the wall of an alcove formed in the end of the modular data center that is not exposed until the container doors are opened.

[0077] To be effective at collecting and dissipating heat generated within the equipment cabinets, the capacity of the cooling units may, in certain embodiments, be two, or more, two to three, or three or more times the heat generated by the electronic equipment in the equipment cabinets they cool.

5.0 Fire Detection and Suppression

[0078] As discussed above, the modular data center, including the data room, the MMR, and/or the man trap, may be equipped with independent or combined fire detection (e.g., smoke and/or CO2), fire alarms, and/or fire suppression systems. When the system is a combined system the response will trigger the release of fire suppressant in all areas of the modular data center. When the fire suppression systems are independent fire suppression systems, they will release fire suppressant in separate areas (e.g., the data room and man trap). In an embodiment, the data center is equipped with automated fire detection equipment (e.g. , heat, infrared, and/or smoke detectors) that can trigger alarms and/or trigger fire suppression system(s) in any one or more of the data room, MMR and/or man trap. When triggered (automatically or manually), fire suppression system(s) may release fire suppressants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (e.g., Halon, 3M NOVEC 1230™ or DuPont™ FM-200®, also known as HFC-227ea or heptafluoropropane), an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen or argon), CO2 or a combination of any of the foregoing. The fire detection and/or suppression systems of the modular data center may trigger local audible alarms, transmit an alarm notification to fire/police authorities, and/or send notification to another location where the modular data center is being monitored. Fire suppressants in the form of gases maybe stored in pressurized cylinders in the man trap, MMR, and/or the data room, and distributed through a fire suppression system within the modular data center

[0079] In an embodiment, the release of fire suppressants may be triggered by sensors that detect smoke, elevated temperature, and/or infrared light in excess of predetermined limits within a cabinet of the equipment cabinet. Equipment cabinets may also be equipped with a manual mechanism to trigger release of fire suppressant. 6.0 Control of the system

[0080] In order to improve the reliability of the modular data center and the electronics within the equipment cabinets, the data center is provided with at least one backup cooling unit, a backup power system (comprising one or more backup power units each having a separate backup power source), and a fire detection and suppression system.

[0081] In an embodiment, the equipment cabinets have a backup power unit that becomes active when external power is lost. In another embodiment, the equipment cabinets have redundant backup power units (a first or primary unit and a second or secondary unit). In such an embodiment, the primary backup power unit becomes active if external power is lost, and the secondary backup power unit becomes active only when both the external power and the primary power backup unit fail to provide power.

[0082] In an embodiment, the modular data center has a single secondary (backup) cooling unit in the data room. In such an embodiment, the secondary cooling unit becomes active whenever any cooling unit in the data room becomes non-operational or the temperature in the data room exceeds a specified temperature despite the other cooling units being fully operational.

[0083] In another embodiment, the modular data center has two or more secondary (backup) cooling units in the data room. Any one or more (e.g., two) of the secondary cooling units becomes active whenever any cooling unit in the data room becomes non-operational or the temperature in the data room exceeds a specified temperature despite the other cooling units being fully operational.

[0084] Regardless of which model of backup system is employed, when any cooling unit, or component of an equipment cabinet (e.g., power supply, backup power unit) fails, equipment in the modular data center may transmit an indication of a system failure to a location in the modular data center and/or to a remote location that is monitoring the data center. In addition, where there is an external power failure (e.g., for more than 5, 10, 20, 40, or 60 seconds, or 2, 5, or 10 minutes), the equipment cabinet may transmit an indication that the system is operating on one of its backup power units and corrective measures need to be taken or the system will initiate a shutdown saving data and/or transferring operations (e.g., to a different equipment cabinet).

7.0 Security

[0085] Security features that may be provided for the modular data center and the equipment cabinets it houses include security cameras for visual surveillance (including potentially recording) of images. The surveillance area may include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the top of the modular data center, the area around the modular data center, and/or any doors permitting access to the modular data center. Security cameras may also be installed in the mantrap, the MMR (if separated from the remainder of the mantrap,) the data room and/or the equipment cabinets. [0086] Access to the modular data center or a location in the modular data center may be secured by mechanical and/or electronic (e.g., an electronic security device sometimes referred to as a“FOB” and/or biometric) systems with a security access 28 (e.g., key pad, biometric sensor, FOB reader, mechanical lock etc.) provided at the relevant location (e.g., at doors, on the face(s) of cooling units, equipment cabinets or compartment(s) of equipment cabinets). As discussed above, the data center may be secured with separate levels or zones having different levels of security. The lowest level of security would permit access to the mantrap. The next level of security permits access to (i) a portion of the mantrap that functions as a separate MMR (15) when an optional physical partition 16 (e.g., a door) is present and/or (ii) electrical equipment and/or electrical equipment panels 17 by way of secure housings 19. The data room is the highest security zone, and access to it may be at a higher level than the mantrap and/or the MMR. Each door leading to the data room (e.g., doors 11-13) may be separately secured, such as by mechanical and/or electronic (e.g., FOB or biometric) locks. Where electronic locks are used, mechanical locking overrides, such as mechanically keyed or combination locks, may be employed so that the door can be opened in the event of a power failure.

[0087] In addition to security provided to the modular data center and the data room, the equipment cabinets, including the individual compartments of the equipment cabinets, may be equipped with individual security measures including but not limited to video cameras, sensors indicating access doors or access panels in the cabinet have been opened, and electronic and/or mechanical locks on some or all doors and/or access panels giving admittance to the interior of the cabinet.

[0088] In an embodiment at least one of the equipment cabinets (e.g. , at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the equipment cabinets) present in a modular data center comprises a security lock on at least one (e.g., 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, or each) of the access doors/panels, providing admittance to the interior of the equipment cabinet, and/or a camera that is either internal or external to the cabinet, wherein the camera is oriented to visualize any one or more individual(s) accessing the cabinet from the side where the camera is installed.

[0089] In an embodiment at least one of the equipment cabinets (e.g. , at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the equipment cabinets) present in a modular data center comprises two or more (e.g., three or more, four or more, five or more, or six or more) compartments providing access to separately secured portions of the electronic equipment housed in the equipment cabinet. In such an embodiment, separate secure access may be provided to the compartment(s) housing the backup power unit(s) (e.g., the access may be separated by a mechanical and/or electronic lock “keyed” differently from those providing access to any of the compartments housing electronic equipment). Secure access may also be provided for each of the compartment doors such that each compartment door may have separate access rights (be“keyed” separately). Alternatively, each pair of“front” and“back” doors to a compartment (on opposing faces of the equipment cabinet) may have the same access rights (be keyed identically) so that a user will have access to the front and back faces of equipment in the rack, but not to other compartments of the equipment cabinet or the equipment therein.

8.0 Movement of Equipment Cabinets and Cooling Units Within the Data Room

[0090] The equipment cabinets and cooling units within the shippable container of the modular data center, and more specifically within the data room, may be independently movable. To facilitate movement, the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units may be equipped with wheels ( e.g ., caster wheels) on their underside (e.g., the underside of the cabinet). In an embodiment, the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units are independently movable along one or more guides 7 (e.g., rails and/or tracks) that are set into or elevated above the floor of the shippable container and/or along one or more channels or grooves in the floor of the shippable container. The equipment cabinets and/or cooling units may be designed such that one, two or more of the wheels on their underside are engaged, or limited in the area in which they may move, by the guides. In one such embodiment, the guides are parallel or substantially parallel to the partition wall or container doors, and at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units are movable parallel thereto.

[0091] In one embodiment, one or more of the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units is furnished with wheels on their underside, with the wheels having a“V” shaped groove about their circumference. The guide(s) are“V” shaped (e.g., piece of metal such as an“angle iron”), with the point of the“V” facing upward and attached to the floor. When set in place, the groove in the wheels of the cabinet and/or cooling units align with the V-shaped guide(s). In one such embodiment, the V-shaped guide is located substantially parallel to the container doors and/or the partition wall of the modular data center, and the cabinets move parallel to thereto.

[0092] In an embodiment, at least one of the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units) present in the data room further comprise one or more restraint mechanisms (not shown in the figures) that, when engaged, prevents the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units from moving within the modular data center. The one or more restraint mechanisms includes locks on the wheels affixed to the underside of the cabinets and/or cooling units, and/or mechanisms that engage the floor, engage one or more guides attached to the floor, and/or engage channels in the floor, each of which prevents equipment cabinet and/or cooling unit movement (e.g., rolling). Locks, or secure attachment points (e.g., D-rings), that attach or permit the attachment of the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units to at least one lateral wall of the modular data center represent another mechanism for restraining their movement. Such locks/attachment points may be placed at a variety of heights above the floor, and in one embodiment the locks and/or attachment points are placed near the top, the middle (centrally located) and/or bottom of the equipment cabinet and/or cooling units. In one embodiment, the locks and/or attachment points are placed at a height about halfway between the top and bottom of the equipment cabinet and/or cooling unit (centrally located). Locks and/or attachment points that engage (or permit engagement of) one or more lateral walls may be used either alone or in conjunction with other restraint mechanisms such as wheel locks and mechanisms that engage channels or rails of the floor.

[0093] During operation the equipment cabinets and/or cooling units may be held in a particular location in the data room by engaging restraint mechanisms and/or locking/attaching the modules to one or more lateral walls of the data room. During service the modules may be freed from the attachments, restraints and locks, so they are movable to a location where the cabinet (e.g., the back face) is more accessible if necessary.

9.0 External Links

9.1 Data System Link

[0094] The modular data centers described herein may be provided with a data system link or “data link” that directly or indirectly connects equipment in the modular data center, including electronic equipment in the equipment cabinet(s), with one or more systems (e.g. ,

telecommunication, intranet, and/or internet systems) external to the modular data center. The data link may comprise hard wire connections (e.g., coaxial cable, twisted pair), fiber optic connections, and/or wireless connections. In an embodiment, the data room serves as the location where the data link connects equipment cabinets and electronic equipment therein to external systems. To facilitate the connection the data room may include wireless networks and/or cables (hard wire or optical) that connect electronic equipment in the data room and/or the equipment cabinets with the data link, thereby permitting communication with one or more external sources. In another embodiment, the man trap (man trap acting as an MMR) serves as the location where the data link connects equipment cabinets and electronic equipment therein to external systems. To facilitate the connection the man trap may include one or more panels permitting connections between the external (e.g., incoming) data link and cables connected to and providing communication with, the equipment cabinet(s) and/or equipment located therein.

9.2 Power Supply Link

[0095] The modular data centers described herein may be equipped with a power supply link that permits the power distribution system of the modular data center (e.g., wiring and circuits including step-down or step-up transformers as necessary) to be connected to electrical power provided by an external source (e.g., a power grid, solar panels and/or a local dedicated generator). The link itself may comprise a socket, cable end fitting (e.g., a pin and sleeve connector), circuit box, and the like. When provided with external power via the power supply link, the power distribution system distributes the externally supplied power to equipment in the modular data center including, but not limited to, the equipment cabinets and cooling units in the data room. The power distribution system of the modular data center may also include one or more surge protection devices, or devices that“clean” or“condition” incoming power so that it conforms with the requirements of the electronic equipment installed in the modular data center (e.g. in the equipment cabinets). An electrical ground system may also be included in the power distribution system or as a separate system to ensure that all components including, but not limited to, the equipment cabinets are properly grounded. The power supply link may connect with the modular data center in the data room, in the man trap, or in the MMR, if present. In an embodiment, more than one power supply link (e.g., sheathed cable access) may be provided, and each may connect with the modular data center at a different independently selected location.

[0096] In an embodiment the modular data center is equipped with equipment cabinets and/or cooling units that are designed for 4 wire three phase power use and may be equipped with star or delta configuration transformers providing, for example, 120, 208, and/or 240 volts.

[0097] In an embodiment, where the equipment cabinets are equipped with 42-48U racks (e.g., 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and/or 48U racks) of standard dimension, the power supply link may need to provide enough power to the modular data center to accommodate about 7 kW of power consumption by electronic equipment (e.g., servers and other computer or IT equipment), or about 25 kW per equipment cabinet in addition to the power required for operation of other equipment in the data center itself. Solar panels attached to the roof or located near the modular data center may offset all or part of the power required to operate the modular data center.

[0098] In an embodiment, the modular data center will operate on 100-240 volts (e.g. 200V- 240V) 60 Hz AC current, with cooling units utilizing three phase systems (e.g., three phase four wire systems). In such an embodiment, each equipment cabinet may draw from about 7 to about 8 kW for operation of electronic equipment installed (e.g., in 42U-48U racks), while cooling and operation of other components of the modular data center require from about 15 to about 20 kW per equipment cabinet (e.g., about 15 to about 17 kW). Depending on how many equipment cabinets are present in the modular center it may operate on a 200 ampere or higher (e.g., 220, 240, 260, 280 or 300 ampere) service.

[0099] In an embodiment, one or more of the equipment cabinets (e.g., two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, or all of the equipment cabinets) is directly or indirectly connected to the data link and/or the power supply link by cable (e.g., electrical wire or fiber optic) connections located above the equipment cabinet(s) (e.g. , the connecting cables are suspended from the top wall (inner ceiling) and enter the equipment cabinets via ports or connectors in the top and/or sides of the equipment cabinets).

10.0 Applications

[0100] The modular data centers described herein find use in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, support of telecommunication activity, local intranet applications or internet applications, local data/information storage and/or as a portable server room.

11.0 Certain Embodiments

1. A modular data center comprising:

(i) a shippable container comprising

a) lateral exterior walls,

b) an entrance door in one of the lateral exterior walls,

c) a top wall (roof/ceiling), and

d) a floor,

together defining an exterior surface and an interior space,

the interior space optionally being divided into a data room and a man trap by a partition wall with the entrance door providing access to the man trap from the exterior of the shippable container and a data room door in the partition wall providing access between the man trap and a cold aisle of the data room formed along a wall of the data room substantially perpendicular to the partition wall,;

(ii) one or more equipment cabinets (e.g., two, three, four, five, six or more cabinets) and one or more primary and one or more secondary cooling units (comprising the evaporator of a refrigerant based cooling system) located in the data room, wherein the equipment cabinets and cooling units are substantially in the form of a cuboid (of independently selected size) having a top, bottom, sides, back face and front face, and

wherein each of the cabinets and cooling units is independently movable substantially parallel to the partition wall along floor guides from a first position outside of the cold aisle (with the front face of the cabinet facing the cold aisle) to a second position substantially in the cold aisle, wherein when the cabinets or cooling units are located in the first position their front face is accessible from the cold aisle and when the cabinets or cooling units are in the second position their back face of the cabinet is accessible; and

(iii) heat exchangers for the one or more primary and for the one or more secondary (e.g., each) cooling units located on the exterior surface of the shippable container (e.g., mounted on the exterior surface and/or placed on the roof);

wherein the front face of each of the cabinets and the primary and secondary cooling units, and at least one of the sides of the cabinets and cooling units comprise one or more sections (e.g., either portions or entire faces or sides) that permit air to enter and/or exit (e.g., flow through) the cabinet and/or cooling unit; and

wherein when the one or more equipment cabinets, the one or more primary, and one or more secondary cooling units are each in said first position, a side of at least one of the one or more equipment cabinets and a side of one of the one or more primary cooling units comprise sections that permit air flow that are adjacent and substantially aligned such that the primary cooling unit can draw in air from the side of the adjacent equipment cabinet and expel cooled air into the cold aisle by way of its front face. Secondary cooling units may have sections that permit air flow between the cooling unit and an equipment cabinet and may be aligned in a similar manner to primary cooling units (see e.g., the location of cooling units 5 and 6 in Fig. 1C); in addition, secondary cooling units may be located on the opposite side of a primary cooling unit from a cabinet (see e.g., ., the location of cooling units 5 and 6 in Fig. 1A and IB).

he modular data center of embodiment 1, wherein at least one (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more, each) of the equipment cabinets contains:

(a) one or more racks each comprising two or more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or more) slots and/or shelves for electronic equipment (e.g., computer equipment such as servers, memory, drives, and the like);

(b) all or part of at least one (e.g., two) backup power unit, each unit comprising one or more independent backup power sources (e.g., batteries, strands of batteries, and/or capacitors) for supplying power to electronic equipment located within the modular data center (e.g., electronic equipment housed fully or partially within the cabinet where backup power source(s) are located); and/or

(c) optionally one or more humidity, infrared, and/or temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electronic equipment mounted in the rack, and/or the temperature and/or humidity in or adjacent to the rack.

he modular data center of any preceding embodiment further comprising a data link and/or equipment for connecting electronic equipment associated with and/or within the modular data center (e.g., including, but not limited to, electronic equipment within the one or more equipment cabinets, electronic security measures such as locks and cameras, fire detection equipment, etc.) to a network (e.g., telecommunication network, intranet, and/or internet) external to the shippable container.

he modular data center of embodiment 3, wherein the data link is provided by one or more hard wire connections (e.g., coaxial cable, twisted pair), fiber optic connections, and/or wireless connections through locations in the man trap (e.g., the meet-me-room section) and/or the data room. he modular data center of any preceding embodiment, further comprising a power supply link to connect externally supplied electrical power to the data center and/or the electronic equipment within the data center (e.g., the cooling units, electronics within the one or more cabinets).he modular data center of embodiment 5, wherein the power supply link comprises an electrical cable that connects with the modular data center through at least one location (e.g., electrical panel) in the man trap, the data room, and/or one or more electrical panels mounted on the exterior surface of the modular data center.

he modular data center any preceding embodiment, wherein the cabinet comprises one or more electronic equipment racks.

he modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein at least one of the one or more cabinets (e.g., each cabinet) comprises one or more electronic equipment racks that provide a total 40U-48U of internal rack space (e.g., the equipment cabinets are fitted with a total of 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 or 48U rack space).

he modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein any of the one or more cabinets (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or more, or each) may be subdivided into compartments, wherein the cabinet or any one or more (e.g., each) of the compartments has a front, or a front and back access, and wherein the front access is provided on the front face of the cabinet, and the back access is provided on the back face of the cabinet.

The modular data center of embodiment 9, wherein access to an equipment cabinet or compartment is provided by a door and/or a panel, which may be secured by a mechanical and/or electronic lock.

The modular data center of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein access to a compartment of the equipment cabinet limits access to only a portion of the electronic equipment rack (and accordingly any electronic equipment disposed therein).

The modular data center of embodiment 11, wherein at least 1 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or each) door and/or panel of the equipment cabinet is secured by a mechanical and/or electronic lock. The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein each of the cabinets may be selected independently such that:

a) at least one of the one or more cabinets further comprises a section on each side that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cabinet(s);

b) at least one of the one or more cabinets further comprises a section on one side and the back, that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cabinets; and/or

c) at least one of the one or more cabinets comprises a section on each side and the back that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cabinets.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein each of the cooling units may be selected independently such that: a) at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units comprises a section on one side that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cooling unit;

b) at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units comprises a section on each of its sides that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cooling unit; and/or c) at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units comprises a section on each side and the back that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cooling unit.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein for each cabinet and cooling unit present in the data room the sections that permit air to enter and/or exit (e.g., flow through) the cabinet and/or cooling unit are selected independently from the group consisting of: the front, the back, either or both of the side faces of the cabinet and/or cooling unit, a door and/or a panel on any of those faces, and a portion of any of the foregoing.

The modular data center of embodiment 15, where in the sections that permit air to enter and/or exit an equipment cabinet and/or cooling unit comprise grates, grills, bars, woven mesh, non- woven mesh, and/or perforated sheets (e.g., perforated sheet metal).

The modular data center of embodiment 16, wherein the sections that permit air to enter and/or exit an equipment cabinet and/or cooling unit comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal (e.g., aluminum or steel), glass, and fiber reinforced materials (e.g., carbon fiber, glass fiber, and or polymeric fiber reinforced materials including, but not limited to, aramids such as KEVLAR).

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment wherein the data center further comprises an interlock mechanism preventing the exterior door and the data room door from being opened at the same time unless overridden.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment wherein a portion of the man trap functions as a meet-me-room that is optionally separately secured from the remainder of the man trap by a door/gate and/or has separately secured electronic equipment (e.g., secured equipment panels). The modular data center of any preceding embodiment further comprising an emergency exit door in one of the lateral exterior walls (e.g. a wall forming part of the cold aisle) providing egress from the data room to the exterior of the shippable container.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the shippable container has a substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the data room and/or man trap have a substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment further comprising container doors forming all, or substantially all, of a wall of the data room (e.g. the wall opposite from the partition wall). The modular data center of any of embodiments 21-23, wherein the shippable container is substantially cuboidal in shape (e.g., substantially a rectangular prism or a cube).

The modular data center of any of embodiments 21-24, wherein the substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint of the shippable container has a width from 7 to 9 feet (e.g., the width of the footprint and container is from 7 to 9 feet, 7.5 to 8.5 feet, 7.8 to 8.2 feet, 7 to 8 feet, or 8 to 9 feet).

The modular data center of any of embodiments 21-25, wherein the substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint of the shippable container has a length (measured perpendicular to the width) from 7 to 10 feet, from 10 to 16 feet, from 15 to 20 feet, from 18 to 24 feet, from 20 to 28 feet, from 24 to 35 feet, from 28 to 40 feet or from 28 to 48 feet.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor comprise metal, plastic, wood, or fiberglass.

The modular data center of embodiment 27, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor (e.g., the lateral walls and/or top wall) are comprised of metal.

The modular data center of embodiment 28, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor (e.g., the lateral walls and/or top wall) are comprised of a ferrous metal (e.g., steel or other ferrous alloy) or aluminum.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, the partition wall and/or the floor (e.g., the lateral walls and/or top wall) are comprised of corrugated metal (e.g., corrugated aluminum and/or steel).

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the surface area of the man trap floor (man trap square footage) is from 9 to 36 square feet (e.g., 9 to 15, 15 to 25, 25 to 36 square feet or less than 36, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 square feet).

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment further comprising heating/cooling and humidity control systems for regulating the humidity and temperature of the man trap (e.g., separately from the data room).

The modular data center of any one of embodiments 21 to 32, wherein the data center has a length:

(i) from 7 to 15 feet (e.g., from 7 to 10 feet or from 10 to 15 feet) and the data center comprises

1, 2, 3 or more equipment cabinets;

(ii) from 10 to 24 feet (e.g., from 10 to 16 feet, from 10 to 18 feet, from 15 to 20 feet, or from 18 to 24 feet) and the data center comprises 2, 3, 4 or more equipment cabinets;

(iii) from 15 to 35 feet (e.g., from 15 to 22 feet, from 18 to 24 feet, from 20 to 28 feet, or from 24 to 35 feet) and the data center comprises 3, 4, 5 or more equipment cabinets; or

(iv) from 22 to 48 feet (e.g., from 24 to 35 feet, from 28 to 40 feet, or from 28 to 48 feet) and the data center comprises 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 or more equipment cabinets. The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein at least one (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five or all) of the equipment cabinets present in the data room is divided into two separate compartments, three separate compartments, or four separate compartments.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein air heated by electronic equipment in at least one of the one or more cabinets is drawn from the at least one cabinet into one of the one or more primary or one or more secondary cooling units.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein each of the one or more primary and one or more secondary cooling units is a refrigerant cooled unit that comprises a compressor and/or condenser that is located outside of the mobile data center (e.g., partially or completely on one or more exterior surface of the shippable container).

The modular data center of embodiment 36, wherein the compressor and/or condenser of at least one (e.g., two, three, four or each) of the one or more primary and secondary cooling units are located partially or completely on an exterior wall of the shippable container that forms a portion of the man trap, or on a portion of an exterior wall that does not form a portion of the man trap. The modular data center of embodiment 36, wherein the compressor and/or condenser of at least one (e.g., two, three, four or each) of the one or more primary and secondary cooling units are located partially or completely on an exterior wall of the shippable container that forms a portion of the man trap, or on a portion of an exterior wall that does not form a portion of the man trap. The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the one or more equipment cabinets is independently movable within the shippable container along one or more rails, tracks, channels and/or grooves located either on or in the floor of the shippable container.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the floor guides are independently selected from rails, tracks, channel(s) and/or groove(s) in the floor.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein the floor guides extend substantially or completely across the data room (e.g., such that the equipment cabinets can be located with their back face against a first wall perpendicular to the guides and moved to the opposite side of the data room where the front face is located against a second wall perpendicular to the guides).

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein at least one of the equipment cabinets (e.g. , at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the equipment cabinets) further comprises one or more restraint mechanisms that when engaged prevent (resist) the equipment cabinet(s) from moving within the modular data center (data room); the one or more restraint mechanisms engaging the floor and/or at least one (e.g., two, three or four) of the lateral walls and thereby locking the equipment cabinet(s) in place (e.g., when in operation, when moved to the cold aisle for maintenance, or during shipment of the data center). The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, further comprising at least one security lock on at least one of the one or more equipment cabinet’s compartments (e.g., a security lock on at least one of the doors/panels providing access to a compartment containing one or more racks) and/or one or more security cameras;

wherein the security cameras are located to visualize all or part of an area surrounding the modular data center, to visualize all or part of the man trap, to visualize all or part of the data room, and/or to visualize individuals accessing at least one of the cabinets (e.g., at least one compartment in one of the cabinets), or equipment within at least one of the cabinets (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the cabinets or racks within the cabinets).

The modular data center of embodiment 43, wherein the at least one of the equipment cabinets (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or all of the equipment cabinets) comprises a security lock on at least one (e.g., two, three, four, five or each) of the front and/or back doors or panels providing access to the cabinet (e.g., a compartment or sub-compartment of the cabinet) and/or a camera that is either internal or external to the cabinet, wherein the camera is oriented to visualize any one or more individual(s) (persons) accessing the cabinet.

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment, wherein one or more of the equipment cabinets (e.g., two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, or all of the equipment cabinets) is directly or indirectly connected to the data link and/or the power supply link by cables (e.g., by electrical cable (metal wire-containing cable) or fiber optic cable) suspended from the top wall (e.g., inner ceiling, cable supports, or a cable ladder attached thereto) and enter the equipment cabinets via ports or connectors in the top and/or sides of the equipment cabinets. The modular data center of embodiment 45, wherein all or part of the connections (e.g., wires or cables) between the one or more equipment cabinets and the data link (external data/communication) and/or the power supply link are attached to and/or supported directly or indirectly by the top wall (ceiling).

The modular data center of any preceding embodiment further comprising one or more solar panels, or one or more solar panel mounting systems and solar panels, mounted upon the exterior surface of the modular data center (e.g., on the lateral walls and/or on top of the modular data center).

The modular data center of any of embodiments 36-47, wherein all or part of the connection(s) (e.g. refrigerant lines) between at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units and the compressor and/or condenser that are located outside of the mobile data center are suspended directly or indirectly from the top wall (e.g., ceiling).

Claims

1. A modular data center comprising:

(i) a shippable container comprising

a) lateral exterior walls,

b) an entrance door in one of the lateral exterior walls,

c) a top wall (roof/ceiling), and

d) a floor,

together defining an exterior surface and an interior space,

the interior space being divided into a data room and a man trap by a partition wall with the entrance door providing access to the man trap from the exterior of the shippable container and a data room door in the partition wall providing access between the man trap and a cold aisle of the data room formed along a wall of the data room substantially perpendicular to the partition wall,;

(ii) one or more equipment cabinets and one or more primary and one or more secondary cooling units located in the data room, wherein the equipment cabinets and cooling units are substantially in the form of a cuboid (of independently selected size) having a top, bottom, sides, back face and front face, and

wherein each of the cabinets and cooling units is independently are movable substantially parallel to the partition wall along floor guides from a first position outside of the cold aisle to a second position substantially in the cold aisle, wherein when the cabinets are located in the first position the front face is accessible from the cold aisle and when the cabinets are in the second position the back face of the cabinet is accessible; and

(iii) heat exchangers for the one or more primary and for the one or more secondary cooling units located on the exterior surface of the shippable container;

wherein the front face of each of the cabinets and the primary and secondary cooling units, and at least one of the back face and/or sides of the cabinets and/or cooling unit comprise one or more sections that permit air to enter and/or exit the cabinet and/or cooling unit; and wherein when the one or more equipment cabinets, the one or more primary, and one or more secondary cooling units are each in said first position, a side of at least one of the one or more equipment cabinets and a side of one of the one or more primary cooling units comprise sections that permit air flow that are adjacent and substantially aligned such that the primary cooling unit can draw in air from the side of the adjacent equipment cabinet and expel cooled air into the cold aisle by way of its front face.

2. The modular data center of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the equipment cabinets contains: (a) one or more racks each comprising two or more slots and/or shelves for electronic equipment;

(b) all or part of at least one backup power unit, each backup power unit comprising one or more independent backup power sources for supplying power to electronic equipment located within the cabinet where the backup power source(s) are located; and/or

(c) optionally one or more humidity, infrared, and/or temperature sensors for measuring the temperature of the electronic equipment mounted in the rack, and/or the temperature and/or humidity in or adjacent to the rack.

3. The modular data center of any preceding claim further comprising a data link and/or equipment for connecting electronic equipment associated with and/or within the modular data center to a network external to the shippable container.

4. The modular data center of claim 3, wherein the data link is provided by one or more hardwire connections, fiber optic connections, and/or wireless connections through locations in the man trap and/or the data room.

5. The modular data center of any preceding claim, further comprising a power supply link to connect externally supplied electrical power to the data center and/or the electronic equipment within the data center.

6. The modular data center of claim 5, wherein the power supply link comprises an electrical cable that connects with the modular data center through at least one location in the man trap, the data room, and/or one or one or more electrical panels mounted on the exterior surface of the modular data center.

7. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the cabinet comprises one or more electronic equipment racks.

8. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more cabinets comprises one or more electronic equipment racks that provide a total 40U-48U of internal rack space.

9. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein any one of the one or more equipment cabinets may be subdivided into compartments, wherein the equipment cabinet(s) or any one or more of the compartments of the equipment cabinet(s) has a front, or a front and back access, and wherein the front access is provided on the front face of the cabinet, and the back access is provided on the back face of the cabinet.

10. The modular data center of claim 9, wherein access to an equipment cabinet or compartment is provided by a door and/or a panel, which may be secured by a mechanical and/or electronic lock.

11. The modular data center of claim 9 or 10, wherein access to a compartment of the equipment cabinet limits access to only a portion of the electronic equipment rack.

12. The modular data center of embodiment 11, wherein at least 1 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or each) door and/or panel of the equipment cabinet is secured by a mechanical and/or electronic lock.

13. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein each of the cabinets may be selected independently such that:

a) at least one of the one or more cabinets further comprises a section on each side, that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cabinets;

b) at least one of the one or more cabinets further comprises a section on one side and the back that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cabinets; and/or

c) at least one cabinet comprises a section on each side and the back that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cabinets.

14. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein each of the cooling units may be selected independently such that:

a) at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units comprises a section on one side, that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cooling unit;

b) at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units comprises a section on each of its sides that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cooling unit; and/or c) at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units comprises a section on each side and the back that permits air flow to enter and/or exit the cooling unit.

15. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein for each cabinet and cooling unit present in the data room the sections that permit air to enter and/or exit the cabinet and/or cooling unit are selected independently from the group consisting of: the front, the back, either or both of the side faces of the cabinet and/or cooling unit, a door and/or a panel on any of those faces, and a portion of any of the foregoing.

16. The modular data center of embodiment 15, where in the sections that permit air to enter and/or exit an equipment cabinet and/or cooling unit comprise grates, grills, bars, woven mesh, non- woven mesh, and/or perforated sheets.

17. The modular data center of claim 16, where in the sections that permit air to enter and/or exit an equipment cabinet and/or cooling unit comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, glass, and fiber reinforced materials.

18. The modular data center of any preceding claim wherein the data center further comprises an interlock mechanism preventing the exterior door and the data room door from being opened at the same time unless overridden.

19. The modular data center of any preceding claim wherein a portion of the man trap functions as a meet-me-room that is optionally separately secured from the remainder of the man trap by a door/gate and/or has separately secured electronic equipment.

20. The modular data center of any preceding claim further comprising an emergency exit door in one of the lateral exterior walls providing egress from the data room to the exterior of the shippable container.

21. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the shippable container has a substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint.

22 The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the data room and/or man trap have a substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint.

23. The modular data center of any preceding claim further comprising container doors forming all, or substantially all, of a wall of the data room.

24. The modular data center of any of claims 21-23, wherein the shippable container is substantially cuboidal in shape.

25. The modular data center of any of claims 21-24, wherein the substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint of the shippable container has a width from 7 to 9 feet.

26. The modular data center of any of claims 21-25, wherein the substantially rectangular or substantially square footprint of the shippable container has a length from 7 to 10 feet, from 10 to 16 feet, from 15 to 20 feet, from 18 to 24 feet, from 20 to 28 feet, from 24 to 35 feet, from 28 to 40 feet or from 28 to 48 feet.

27. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor comprise metal, plastic, wood, or fiberglass.

28. The modular data center of claim 27, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor are comprised of metal.

29. The modular data center of claim 28, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, and/or the floor are comprised of a ferrous metal or aluminum.

30. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the lateral exterior walls, the top wall, the partition wall and/or the floor are comprised of corrugated metal.

31. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the surface area of the man trap floor (man trap square footage) is from 9 to 36 square feet.

32. The modular data center of any preceding claim further comprising heating/cooling and humidity control systems for regulating the humidity and temperature of the man trap.

33. The modular data center of any one of claims 21 to 32, wherein the data center has a length:

(i) from 7 to 15 feet and the data center comprises 1, 2, 3 or more equipment cabinets;

(ii) from 10 to 24 feet and the data center comprises 2, 3, 4 or more equipment cabinets;

(iii) from 15 to 35 feet and the data center comprises 3, 4, 5 or more equipment cabinets; or

(iv) from 22 to 48 feet and the data center comprises 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 or more equipment cabinets.

34. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more equipment cabinets present in the data room is divided into two separate compartments, three separate compartments, or four separate compartments.

35. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein air heated by electronic equipment in the at least one of the one of the one or more cabinets is drawn from the at least one cabinet into one of the one or more primary cooling unit or one or more secondary cooling unit.

36. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more primary and one or more secondary cooling units is a refrigerant cooled units that comprise a compressor and/or condenser that are located outside of the mobile data center.

37. The modular data center of claim 36, wherein the compressor and condenser of at least one of the one or more primary and secondary cooling units are located partially or completely on an exterior wall of the shippable container that forms a portion of the man trap, or on a portion of an exterior wall that does not form a portion of the man trap.

38. The modular data center of claim 36, wherein the compressor and condenser of at least one of the one or more primary and secondary cooling units are located partially or completely on an exterior wall of the shippable container that forms a portion of the man trap, or on a portion of an exterior wall that does not form a portion of the man trap.

39. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more equipment cabinets are independently movable within the shippable container along one or more rails, tracks, channel and/or grooves located either on or in the floor of the shippable container.

40. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the floor guides are independently selected from rails, tracks, channel(s) and/or groove(s) in the floor.

41. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein the floor guides extend substantially or completely across the data room.

42. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the equipment cabinets further comprises one or more restraint mechanisms that when engaged prevent the equipment cabinet(s) from moving within the data room; the one or more restraint mechanisms engaging the floor and/or at least one of the lateral walls and thereby locking the equipment cabinet(s) in place.

43. The modular data center of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one security lock on at least one of the one or more equipment cabinet’s compartments and/or one or more security cameras;

wherein the security cameras are located to visualize all or part of an area surrounding the modular data center, to visualize all or part of the man trap, to visualize all or part of the data room, and/or to visualize individuals accessing at least one of the cabinets, or equipment within at least one of the cabinets.

44. The modular data center of claim 43, wherein the at least one of the equipment cabinets comprises a security lock on at least one of the front and/or back doors or panels providing access to the cabinet and/or a camera that is either internal or external to the cabinet, wherein the camera is oriented to visualize any one or more individual(s) (persons) accessing the cabinet.

45. The modular data center of any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the equipment cabinets is directly or indirectly connected to the data link and/or the power supply link by cables that are suspended from the top wall and enter the equipment cabinets via ports or connectors in the top and/or sides of the equipment cabinets.

46. The modular data center of claim 45, wherein all or part of the connections between the one or more equipment cabinets and the data link and/or the power supply link are attached to and/or supported directly or indirectly by the top wall.

47. The modular data center of any preceding claim further comprising one or more solar panels, or one or more solar panel mounting systems and solar panels, mounted upon the exterior surface of the modular data center.

48. The modular data center of any of claims 36-47, wherein all or part of the connection(s) (e.g. refrigerant lines) between at least one of the one or more primary and/or secondary cooling units and the compressor and/or condenser that are located outside of the mobile data center are suspended directly or indirectly from the top wall (e.g., ceiling).