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Systems & Data Center · Foundational

Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle

A rack layout in which rows face alternately so equipment intakes share cold aisles and exhausts share hot aisles.

Definition

Racks are arranged front-to-front and back-to-back, with cooled air supplied to cold aisles (often via perforated raised-floor tiles) and hot exhaust returned to cooling units. Blanking panels prevent hot air recirculation through empty rack spaces.

Example

Perforated tiles are placed only in cold aisles in front of server intakes.

Exam tip

Install blanking panels in empty U spaces to prevent hot exhaust from recirculating to intakes.

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