The name given to a specific controlled airflow layout associated with enclosures and cabinets. As more heat becomes concentrated within the cabinet space, the risk of overheating and damaging the equipment increases. *Contemporary thinking in data center thermal management promotes the hot aisle/cold aisle layout where cold air is segregated in front of equipment cabinets and hot exhaust air is expelled behind equipment cabinets. This layout eliminates the direct transfer of hot exhaust air from one system into the intake air of another system.
*[Source: Chatsworth Products – Views & Tips]
