Case Study: AKCP sensorProbe+ BMS Monitors High Performance Computing Environment

The SRE Projects Team have supported the installation of a complex AKCP sensorProbe+ system to monitor environmental sensors and third-party devices (providing their data via Modbus and signal contacts) within a new High Performance Computing (HPC) solution; the Sonic Edge MegaPod.

The AKCP sensorProbe+ system was configured, installed and commissioned to monitor over 140 data points and provides building management system (BMS) functionality, environmental monitoring, a central dashboard with CCTV camera feed, and alarm notifications when monitored data points and parameters move outside preset threshold values.

The EdgePod is a self-contained Immersion cooled solution developed by Sonic Edge and uses Submer’s award-winning immersion cooling technology to dissipate up to 100kW of heat. The same container footprint can also dissipate up to 200kW of heat. EdgePod is highly customisable and can be built to support both collocation or sole occupancy data centre computing. Each EdgePod is equipped with physical, virtual security and environmental monitoring systems to support either configuration and can be deployed within 12-16weeks to On-premises or Edge sites.

The AKCP sensorProbe+ SPX8 was installed into a wall mounted 19inch rackmount cabinet and connected to the MegaPod’s IP network. The sensorProbe+ base unit makes use of 2x plug-in temperature & humidity sensors, 60x dry I/O signal contacts, a ModBus adapter and 80x virtual sensors to perform the role of a Building Management System (BMS). The AKCP SPX8 sensorProbe+ can be monitored locally or remotely using AKCPro Server software to provide an overview performance dashboard, and provide alarm notifications. AKCPro server software also incorporates a camera feed from an AXIS indoor fixed dome 4MP camera providing a 360° view inside the Pod.

Sonic Edge Immersive Pods have been purpose-designed and are built to withstand the harshest weather and environmental conditions. The use of an AKCP sensorProbe+ provides continuous monitoring of environmental conditions and provides BMS functionality, collating data points (via Modbus) using virtual sensors to gather electrical supply information from the electrical/energy meters and performance data from the air conditioning system.

High Performance Computing (HPC) is a rapidly evolving technology supporting transformative technologies including AI, VR and AR applications. Traditional air-cooling technologies can struggle to efficiently meet the heat management levels generated by modern HPC systems. This is where Immersion cooling provides an ideal alternative solution by fully immersing the IT server hardware in a dielectric liquid dissipating heat more efficiently and enabling higher computing densities. The benefits of Immersion Cooling include:

• Unprecedented Energy Efficiency: reduced power consumption means cost savings and a greener footprint.
• Enhanced Performance: cooler components mean improved processing speeds and reliability.
• Scalability: immersion cooling enables denser hardware configurations, maximising immersion tank space.
• Reduced Maintenance: fewer moving parts mean less wear and tear, leading to decreased downtime.

The Sonic Immersive Pods are ideal for Manufacturing, Exploration such as Oil and Gas, Telecommunications and Distributed Edge applications. The solution incorporates Submer’s innovative Immersion cooling technology including its proprietary SmartCoolant Immersion liquid developed with Castrol, in compact, modular, prefabricated datacentre-in-a-box configuration that allows for fast deployment in any location and simplified commissioning with an unparalleled energy footprint. Simplifying site selection by including completely dry-cooled (zero water requirement) options.