Container Zone Reference Architecture

Overview

The Container Zone Reference Architecture defines a standardized, repeatable zone layout for container-based data center deployments. It is designed to serve teams deploying edge, regional, or distributed compute capacity where speed, predictability, and site-by-site replication are primary drivers.

This architecture establishes the baseline for all container-class GridCore projects, providing a common framework that engineering, procurement, and operations teams can reference throughout the project lifecycle.

Zone Definition and Layout

Each container zone represents a self-contained infrastructure unit that includes IT space, power distribution, thermal support, structured cabling, and monitoring coverage. Zones are defined by their capacity envelope, redundancy tier, and interface boundary conditions.

Zone Components

• IT Container: Rack-ready enclosed environment with defined power and cooling input interfaces, structured cable entry points, and environmental monitoring sensor positions.
• Power Distribution Zone: From the point of utility connection through automatic transfer switching, UPS conditioning, and final distribution to rack-level PDUs. Topology options include radial, dual-bus, and isolated-redundant configurations.
• Thermal Support Zone: Heat rejection equipment, coolant distribution (where applicable), and airflow management components. Interface definitions cover supply/return temperatures, flow rates, and ambient operating range.
• Cabling and Interconnect Zone: Structured pathways for power, data, and signal cabling between containers, to external plant, and to monitoring/control systems.
• Monitoring and Controls Zone: Sensor placement strategy, alarm point assignments, BMS/DCIM integration interfaces, and local/remote monitoring access provisions.

Power Distribution Topology

The reference architecture supports multiple electrical topology configurations based on the target redundancy tier. Each topology defines the path from medium-voltage utility service through transformation, switching, backup generation, UPS conditioning, and distribution to the IT load.

Thermal Interface Strategy

Container zones interface with external heat rejection systems through defined thermal boundaries. The reference architecture specifies supply and return conditions, acceptable operating ranges, and failover behavior for the cooling system.

Supported Thermal Strategies

• Direct Expansion (DX): Self-contained cooling units per container with rooftop or ground-mounted condensers. Simplest interface but limited in high-density applications.
• Chilled Water: Centralized chiller plant with distribution piping to container-mounted air handlers. Supports higher density and better PUE in favorable climate zones.
• Hybrid Air-Side Economization: Free cooling with mechanical backup for shoulder and peak conditions. Best PUE potential in moderate climates but requires larger air intake/exhaust provisions.

Structured Cabling Pathways

Cabling infrastructure connects containers to each other, to external plant systems, and to the monitoring/control backbone. The reference architecture defines pathway types, routing conventions, capacity provisioning rules, and labeling standards.

• Power cabling: sized per zone capacity with defined entry points and mechanical protection
• Data cabling: structured fiber and copper pathways with defined meet-me points between zones
• Signal cabling: low-voltage control and monitoring circuits with separation requirements from power
• Grounding and bonding: continuous ground bus with defined bonding points at each container interface

Monitoring Point Assignments

Every zone includes a defined sensor and monitoring strategy covering environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, airflow), electrical parameters (voltage, current, power factor), security (door contacts, motion), and life safety (smoke, leak detection). Monitoring points are mapped to both local display panels and centralized DCIM/BMS platforms through standard protocols (BACnet, Modbus, SNMP).

Multi-Zone Scaling

The architecture supports horizontal scaling by replicating standardized zones under consistent infrastructure rules. Each new zone connects to shared plant systems (power, cooling, network backbone) through pre-defined interface points, allowing capacity additions without redesigning the base architecture.

Scaling considerations addressed in this reference include: utility capacity reservation, plant system headroom, inter-zone cable pathway provisioning, and shared monitoring infrastructure capacity.