Data Center Cooling and DCIM
DCF 115 is a technician-level course designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of data center cooling systems and their effective management. The curriculum delves into the operation and maintenance of various cooling units, including computer room air handlers (CRAH) and computer room air conditioners (CRAC), as well as chiller plants. Students will learn about airflow management strategies like hot/cold aisle containment, and explore the rapidly evolving field of liquid cooling technologies, from direct-to-chip to immersion cooling. A significant portion of the course focuses on monitoring techniques and the application of data center infrastructure management (DCIM) tools to optimize energy efficiency, ensure reliability, and proactively address thermal challenges within critical environments.
InstructorJacob CalhounCourse outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Data Center Thermal Management","Week 2: Lesson 2: Air Cooling Fundamentals: CRAH and CRAC Systems","Week 3: Lesson 3: Chiller Plant Operations and Maintenance","Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Airflow Management and Containment Systems","Week 5: Lesson 5: Airflow Management and Containment Strategies","Week 6: Lesson 6: Introduction to Liquid Cooling Technologies","Week 7: Lesson 7: Advanced Liquid Cooling: Direct-to-Chip and Immersion","Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Liquid Cooling System Components","Week 9: Lesson 9: Data Center Monitoring Principles and Sensors","Week 10: Lesson 10: Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Overview","Week 11: Hands-on Lab: DCIM Monitoring and Reporting","Week 12: Lesson 12: Energy Efficiency and Optimization in Data Center Cooling","Week 13: Lesson 13: Troubleshooting Common Cooling System Issues","Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Cooling System Audit and Optimization Proposal"]