Ready Server, a Singapore-based VPS hosting and server solutions provider, has completed its first pilot of full-immersion liquid cooling at its data center facility in Singapore. The initiative is described as a key step in the company’s roadmap to provide AI-ready infrastructure services as global demand for high-performance compute grows.
Custom Implementation and Technology
Rather than purchasing fully packaged immersion-cooled systems, Ready Server developed a self-deployed solution. This customized setup was tailored to the company’s existing facility located in the southwest of Singapore. According to company officials, this approach allowed the provider to reduce capital costs while building in-house engineering capabilities for liquid-cooled operations.
The pilot utilized hardware from GRC, a US-based liquid cooling specialist, specifically a tank-like device. The process involves immersing complete production-grade AMD-based servers, including storage and memory components, into a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid. Because the fluid is non-conductive, components remain safe from short circuits while dissipating heat more efficiently than conventional air cooling.
Alan Woo, Director of Ready Server, personally oversaw the installation and import of the cooling fluid and the heavy cooling tank into the multi-storey facility. Woo stated, Everything comes with a risk, so we have to take some that will enable us to compete and deliver the performance needed in the future
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Hardware Preparation and Risk Management
To manage risks associated with manufacturer warranties, Ready Server selected servers that had already operated in racks for approximately two years. The company noted that immersion and hardware modifications can affect warranty coverage, making servers nearing the end of their warranty period more suitable for the pilot.
Before immersion, the hardware undergoes a specific preparation process:
- Removal of cooling fans.
- Replacement of thermal paste with a thin metal foil designed for liquid-cooled operation.
- Removal of adhesive stickers and paper labels that could deteriorate from prolonged exposure to the fluid.
Operational Advantages Over Other Methods
The full-immersion approach was compared to other liquid cooling methods previously trialed by the company, such as spray-based coolant jets. Ready Server found that full immersion offers simpler maintenance and supports continuous 24/7 operation. Additionally, the company noted that this method reduces the risk of coolant leaks often associated with direct-to-chip liquid cooling.
The transition to this technology is expected to help Ready Server reduce electricity costs and avoid the expenses involved in installing more powerful fan coolers in its current facility. By increasing rack density and energy efficiency, the company can deploy more powerful servers within its existing space and power resources.
Strategic Goals for AI Services
The pilot is intended to provide the operational experience necessary to design future rack architectures for compute-intensive workloads. Ready Server plans to use these findings to expand its portfolio of high-density hosting and AI-ready data center services in Singapore.
Woo explained that the journey into liquid cooling has provided valuable lessons on how the company can deliver more compute-heavy services to customers. He stated that by investing in both the technology and the capabilities to operate it, the provider is better positioned to offer the new services the market is currently requesting.
Ready Server operates a network of data centers across Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore, offering unmetered bandwidth and low-latency connectivity for enterprise-grade infrastructure.
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