- Modular or Traditional Data Centers Builds

One of the first things we talk about with modular or traditional data centers is PUE, or Power Usage Efficiency. Most of the time, modular data centers have a lower PUE. However, there is a cost associated with that number.

Traditional data center builds often have a higher PUE initially because there is space for expansion and adding additional equipment. This can sometimes come with higher HVAC and other costs until the data center is at capacity and running at maximum efficiency. We’ll talk about that factor more in a moment.

For modular data centers, because they are constructed with tight specifications and already at an efficient capacity per module, the PUE is lower from the start. All components are easily matched, and compact spaces are easier to control when it comes to cooling, humidity, and other factors.

What is the downside? When a brick and mortar data center is up and running at capacity and the design has been well executed, PUE levels can be similar, and it can be much simpler to make moves and changes without additional modules and construction.

As with PUE, there are two sides to this coin. The modular data center can be easier to secure, as they are more compact and self-contained. When installed behind a secure barrier with video and other surveillance measures, the physical security of a modular data center can be assured.

The flip side? Modular data centers may evolve and require additions over time, meaning the physical space will also have to be modified. Proper planning can mitigate this issue, but a traditional data center build can be easier to manage from this perspective, with security built into the construction itself, along with remote monitoring and other security features that must be handled differently with modular data centers.

The argument over which is better can go either way, but the permanence of a traditional data center build often wins out when it comes to security discussions.