An Intuitive, Easy-to-Use Graphical User Interface

• Point-and click, mouse-driven
• Simultaneous two- and three-dimensional views
• Zoom, pan, rotate, turn, and tilt tools
• Extensive database of air-conditioning units (CRAC units), perforated tiles, and server racks from leading manufacturers
• Use-definable characteristics of CRAC units, perforated tiles, and server racks
• Under-floor obstructions and partitions to represent pipes, cables, and other obstructions in the plenum
• Above-floor rooms with different airflow connections
• Above-floor partitions and blockages
• Supplemental cooling units (XDO, XDV, and in-row coolers)
• Inlet/outlet vents on perimeter walls, ceiling, and solid blocks
• Return ceiling plenum
• Dynamic count of objects on the floor
• Inspect Tool to view characteristics of individual air-conditioning units, perforated tiles, and server racks
• Choice of units (English or Metric) for input and output quantities
• Ability to specify tile size
• Import of rack data from a text file

Efficient and Accurate Solution Technique

TileFlow uses efficient and accurate solution technique for calculating the three-dimensional flow field and temperature distribution in data centers.

• The technique of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used for solving the equations governing the fluid flow and heat transfer in the data center.
• Use of advanced solution techniques allows calculation of airflow and temperature distribution in practical data centers within a short time on a PC.
• The calculated flow rates and rack inlet temperatures agree well (usually within 10%) with measured values.

The accuracy of the calculated results, the short turnaround times, and the ease-of-use make TileFlow an ideal tool for simulating cooling performance of data centers.

Comprehensive Reporting of Results

TileFlow provides a variety of formats, both graphical and text, for presenting the calculated results. The results are easy to understand. They provide a clear understanding of the cooling performance of the data center, help in identifying the regions with insufficient cooling and explaining the cause(s) of insufficient cooling, and give guidance for improving the cooling performance.

• Color maps of airflow rates through the perforated tiles and associated cooling capacities
• Contour plot of pressures and temperatures under the raised floor, overlaid with velocity vectors
• Display of cooling plumes through the perforated tiles. This display can be in the form of fireworks, fountains, or arrows
• Inspect tool to probe at a specific location
• Results at a Glance for a quick summary of results
• Detailed summary of results (as a text file)
• Airflow rates through perforated tiles, rack inlet temperature, and CRAC unit supply and return temperatures can be imported into Microsoft Excel
• Temperature fog, which depicts the three-dimensional temperature distribution in the data center
• Temperature distribution and airflow pattern on selected vertical and horizontal planes (billboards)
• Pressure/temperature gage to display under-floor pressure/temperature
• Thermometer to display local temperature
• Velocimeters to display local velocity components
• Flashing lights to identify overheated racks
• Animation of air movement above the raised floor
• Detailed temperature data for racks (maximum inlet and exhaust temperatures and temperatures at various elevations near the front face)
• Return-air and supply temperatures for CRAC units
• Cooling provided by CRAC units, XDO units, XDV units, and in-row coolers
• Rack temperature maps
• Rack heat load distribution