Flex has deployed its vertically integrated, rack-level liquid cooling solution at the Equinix Co-Innovation Facility in Ashburn, Virginia. The demonstration combines standalone and facility-integrated single-phase direct liquid cooling within a single Open Compute Project ORv3 rack, incorporating solutions developed by JetCool, a Flex company specializing in advanced liquid cooling technologies. Flex reports that its end-to-end system addresses power, cooling, and scalability requirements for high-density computing environments in data centers.
The installation showcases several components, including JetCool’s SmartPlate System, which provides self-contained, closed-loop cooling for Dell PowerEdge R760 servers, removing the need for external coolant distribution units or facility plumbing. According to Flex, this setup allows customers to shift from air to liquid cooling with minimal disruption and can deliver a 15 percent reduction in total IT power consumption.
The demonstration also features direct liquid cooling for two Dell PowerEdge R660 servers equipped with JetCool cold plates. JetCool’s design operates with coolant inlet temperatures up to 70°C, aiming to reduce water usage by up to 90 percent and cooling power consumption by up to 50 percent versus traditional liquid cooling, while maintaining performance at dense compute loads. The SmartSense 6U Liquid-to-Liquid coolant distribution unit supports high-density environments by cooling up to 300 kW and connects directly with the Equinix TCS secondary loop. The Flex ORv3 rack also incorporates integrated manifold, busbar, and quick-disconnect solutions.
Flex claims that JetCool’s approach can cool up to 4 kW in a single processor socket and is designed for higher thermal loads. Flex also provides lifecycle support and maintenance for its cooling hardware, including cold plates, manifolds, disconnects, and coolant distribution units.
The demonstration is available for viewing at the Equinix Co-Innovation Facility in Ashburn, with live metrics and technical data on display. JetCool solutions are also featured at Flex’s Milpitas, California facility and at Dell Customer Solutions Centers. Flex notes upcoming demonstrations in Europe and Asia.
“The Equinix Co-Innovation Facility provides a collaborative environment where emerging infrastructure technologies can be tested and refined for real-world, high-density compute environments,” said Pawel Wlodarczak, Innovation Director at Equinix.
Source: Flex
