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Availability of 64-bit Solver
TileFlow 3.7 gives you the option of invoking the 64-bit version of the solver, which significantly expands the size of the data
center you can model. (Of course, to use this solver, you must have an operating system that uses 64-bit addressing.)
The 32-bit solver can typically access a maximum of 2 GB of memory, which limits the size of data center you can model. To
facilitate the modeling of large data centers, the current version of TileFlow (with 32-bit solver) allows you to run the solver in the Low Memory Option, which reduces the memory requirement but increases the
solution time. The 64-bit solver can access significantly more memory than 2 GB and, therefore, allows you to model very large data centers without resorting to the Low Memory Option. As a result, the solution
times for such data centers are significantly reduced. Extremely large data centers, which were simply beyond the scope of previous versions of TileFlow (because of the 32-bit solver), can now be modeled
routinely using TileFlow 3.7 with 64-bit solver, provided the required amount of physical memory (RAM) is available.
On a computer with 64-bit operating system, the use of the 64-bit solver provides speed improvements of 10-20% over the 32-bit
solver, even for models that do not require more than 2 GB of memory.
To switch to the 64-bit solver, select Use 64-Bit Solver from the Preferences menu.
Rack EXhaust Ducts
You can now install exhaust ducts (or chimneys) on racks that expel hot air exclusively from the top face. The details of the
duct cross section and its location are given in the server rack style. The duct height is specified at the rack level. A rack that has been assigned a style with the exhaust duct has three choices for exhaust
duct:
- No Exhaust Duct
- Standard Exhaust Duct. This choice is available only when return ceiling plenum is present. The duct is connected to the drop ceiling.
- Custom Exhaust Duct. Here you specify the duct height.
Hot Box
A hot box is a general air-cooled heat-producing object. It is characterized by its heat load, maximum acceptable inlet
temperature, and inlet flow rate, and has three essential components: heat load, inlet vents, and outlet vents. There are no restrictions on the number of inlet/outlet vents and their locations. A hot box can
be used to represent heat-producing objects that cannot be accommodated within the framework of server racks. (A server rack must rest on the floor and allows intake and exhaust from selected faces only.) For
example, the hot box can be used to represent a desktop computer on a table or a device mounted at a certain height. Cisco switches with different configurations of airflow inlets/outlets can now be simulated
using a hot box. By setting the heat load to zero, a hot box can also be used to represent a fan or a duct that transports air. (Hot boxes do not have styles and the input must be given for individual hot
boxes.)
You can display overheat warning lights and inlet temperature maps on the hot boxes, just like for racks. In addition, the
Inspect Tool reports the inlet and outlet air temperatures for these objects. Details of hot boxes and their temperatures are given in all reports where similar information for the server racks is included.
Airflow Streamers
An airflow streamer shows the path of the airflow starting at a certain location within the computer room. In TileFlow, streamers
originate at perforated tiles and other sources that bring air into the computer room. The streamers are color-coded according to the local air temperature. They provide another way—in addition to the
animation of air movement—of displaying the airflow and temperatures in the computer room.
Rack exhaust ducts, hot boxes, and airflow streamers
Airflow Animation and Streamers from Selected Objects
You can now display the above-floor airflow animation and streamers emerging from selected perforated
tiles, inlet vents, coolers, and hot boxes. For objects like the above-floor solid block or the hot box, you can select specific vent(s) as emitters of animation particles or streamers.
File Compression
The simulation of large data centers produces a number of large results files. TileFlow now gives you the
option of compressing these files, which will save disk space. The compressed files are uncompressed before they are used in the TileFlow.
Save As Compressed and Save As Uncompressed Commands
These special commands allow you to save the TileFlow results files in compressed or uncompressed form.
Improved Mechanism for Vent Selection
In earlier versions of TileFlow, to select a vent, you had to click a corner or an edge. Now you can select
a vent by clicking anywhere within the vent.
Mouse Wheel Available for Zoom and Pan
In the earlier versions of TileFlow, we had provided tools for zooming and panning the view. We also had
single-click zoom capability by holding down the Ctrl key and using + or – on the keyboard. Now you have an additional method for zoom and pan. By turning the mouse wheel, you can zoom in or out in the
active view. By pressing the mouse wheel and dragging, you can slide (pan) the picture in any up, down, left, or right direction.
Click here to see the new features introduced in Version 3.5.
Click here to see the new features introduced in Version 3.2.
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