CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)Server Hardware Installation and ManagementEasy
A data center is designed so that server rack fronts face each other with perforated floor tiles feeding cool air between them, while the rear exhausts of the racks face outward into a separate row that is ducted to return air to the CRAC units. Which cooling strategy does this describe?
- AHot aisle/cold aisle containment
- BRear-door heat exchanger cooling
- CFree-air economizer cooling
- DDirect-to-chip liquid cooling
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Hot aisle/cold aisle containment
Hot aisle/cold aisle containment arranges racks so that cold air intakes face each other in a cold aisle and hot exhausts face each other in a separate hot aisle, preventing hot and cold air from mixing and improving cooling efficiency.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Rear-door heat exchangers attach to the rack itself rather than describing aisle layout.
- C. Economizer cooling uses outside air rather than aisle arrangement.
- D. Direct-to-chip cooling circulates liquid coolant directly to components, not airflow rows.
Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment
A data center cooling layout where rack fronts face cold aisles (intake) and rack backs face hot aisles (exhaust) to separate hot and cold airflow.
- Cold aisle: perforated tiles deliver cool air to equipment intakes
- Hot aisle: exhaust heat is captured and returned to cooling units
- Prevents mixing of hot and cold air, improving efficiency
Memory trick: Fronts kiss cold, backs breathe hot — never let the two meet.