A common refresh rate or product cycle for datacom (data processing and communication) equipment is two to four years. However, the common facility cooling system life cycle is ten or more years. The result is a need for the facility cooling system to accommodate two or more datacom equipment redeployments during its life cycle.

Datacom equipment redeployments can vary greatly and could result in major changes in the location and magnitude of the heat load. With increasing concerns over cooling system reliability and availability, these changes can be particularly challenging.

The commissioning process in its broadest definition identifies, measures, and monitors the datacom facility performance from inception through to the end of its life cycle. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is an effective tool used to predict performance and forecast response to changes/failures.

Integrating commissioning and CFD modeling creates a tool to support operation and change while maintaining optimum availability and performance.