Overview
The Zella DC Zella Stack re-engineers edge micro data center deployment by replacing monolithic cabinet structures with a modular, stackable block architecture. Designed around a foundational base infrastructure block paired with stackable IT expansion blocks in 12RU increments, the cabinet scales seamlessly from 24RU to 48RU. This physical segmentation allows complete micro data center assemblies to be transported via standard courier services, navigated through standard passenger elevators, and assembled in restricted-access upper floors without requiring freight rigging or structural alterations.
Thermal management is engineered to handle extreme workload densities through modular, swappable cooling blocks spanning 3kW to 15kW options, including dual 6kW redundant configurations in an N+1 topology. The cabinet architecture accommodates both air-cooled and direct liquid-cooled IT gear simultaneously, providing thermal dissipation thresholds up to 124kW for high-density compute environments exceeding 100kW. System health and environmental security are continuously monitored by the integrated Zella Sense platform, which incorporates comprehensive multipoint telemetry including temperature, humidity, smoke, motion, water leak, and door contact sensors alongside internal cabinet illumination and surveillance cameras.
In operational practice, the modular enclosure delivers substantial logistics efficiency, though deployment planning must account for internal rack footprint consumption. Because self-contained cooling modules occupy between 6RU and 12RU of internal rack space, usable payload capacity ranges between 9RU and 39RU depending on cooling specifications. While measured cabinet weights of 115 kg to 185 kg reflect a 28% to 47% reduction rather than the vendor’s marketed 75% reduction over legacy enclosures, the resulting mass and modular form factor successfully achieve practical courier freight handling and rapid edge commissioning.
Technical Specifications
| Form Factor | Modular stackable micro data center |
| Rack Unit Capacity | 24RU to 48RU (scalable in 12RU increments: 24RU, 36RU, 48RU) |
| Usable It Capacity | 9RU to 39RU (configuration dependent) |
| Cabinet Weight 24ru | 115 kg |
| Cabinet Weight 36ru | 150 kg |
| Cabinet Weight 48ru | 185 kg |
| Max Cooling Capacity | 124 kW |
| Cooling Module Options | 3kW (6RU), 6kW (6RU), 6kW + 6kW N+1 (12RU), 15kW (12RU) |
| Cooling Architectures | Concurrent air and liquid cooling |
| Compute Density Support | >100 kW |
| Environmental Monitoring | Zella Sense |
| Integrated Sensors | Temperature, humidity, smoke, motion, water leak, door status |
| Integrated Peripherals | Internal lighting, security camera |
| Structural Architecture | Base infrastructure block with stackable IT expansion blocks |
- Modular stackable block architecture enables standard courier delivery and elevator transport without heavy rigging equipment
- Scalable rack framework accommodates 24RU to 48RU configurations in 12RU increments
- Supports concurrent air and liquid cooling architectures with aggregate heat dissipation up to 124kW
- Integrated Zella Sense telemetry platform provides extensive environmental sensing, security cameras, and automated monitoring
- Dedicated cooling sub-assemblies occupy 6RU to 12RU of internal space, reducing usable IT capacity to as little as 9RU
- Realized cabinet weight savings (28% to 47%) fall short of the advertised 75% reduction over predecessor models