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Edge Computing

Small-Scale Solution: a self-contained, immersion-cooled server room for the edge

What is the Small-Scale Solution?

The Small-Scale Solution (SSS) is a 24U rack populated with four to six LCS ZPServers and self-contained heat exchangers. It is designed to run high-performance computing close to where data is created, needing power and a network connection rather than a purpose-built server room.

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LCS Small-Scale Solution 24U rack with ZPServers and integrated display

Sending every workload to a central data center or the cloud adds latency and bandwidth cost. Edge computing keeps processing near the data source, but edge sites rarely have air conditioning, clean air, or space for a server room.

The Small-Scale Solution addresses that by bringing its own cooling. ZPServers are configured to the application, installed in a 24U rack, and paired with self-contained heat exchangers. LCS states set-up time is under two hours.

Best-fit applications

Industrial and utility sites
Plants, turbine rooms, and substations without a conditioned IT room.
Remote or temporary deployments
Locations where a mobile, self-contained system is easier than a buildout.
Latency-sensitive processing
Workloads that need results near the data source.
Pilots ahead of scale-out
Teams evaluating immersion cooling before a full-rack deployment.

Key capabilities

What the Small-Scale Solution delivers

  • 24U rack with four to six ZPServers
  • Self-contained heat exchangers
  • Self-monitoring capability
  • Scalable to a full 42U rack
  • Published cooling PUE <1.04
  • Published noise <55 dBA
  • No consumptive water use

How it works

Directed flow, then full immersion

  1. 1Each ZPServer inside the SSS uses TIDF: the coolest fluid reaches the hottest components first, then immerses the remaining electronics.
  2. 2Heated fluid flows to heat exchangers integrated into the rack, rather than to a facility cooling plant.
  3. 3Cooled fluid returns to the servers, with system monitoring built in.

Learn more about TIDF

How Total Liquid Immersion with Directed Flow worksA sealed chassis. Stage 1: cool dielectric fluid enters and is piped directly to heatsinks on the hottest chips. Stage 2: fluid leaves the heatsinks and immerses the remaining electronics. Stage 3: heated fluid exits the chassis to a heat exchanger and returns cooled.SEALED, LIQUID-TIGHT CHASSISCPU/GPUCPU/GPU123Cool fluid inHeated fluid outto heat exchange1 Directed to hottest chips2 Immerses remaining electronics3 Exits, cooled, returns
Illustrative schematic, not to scale and not a drawing of a specific product.
Technicians installing an LCS Small-Scale Solution on a turbine-room floor
An SSS installation in a turbine room in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (as published by LCS).
Diagram of the three LCS heat-exchange options: liquid-to-liquid, fan-assisted, and passive radiator
Heat-exchange options (LCS diagram).

Technical specifications

LCS Small-Scale Solution (SSS) specifications

Current availability and configurations should be confirmed with LCS for your project.

Published system configuration: Small-Scale Solution system-level features as published by LCS
Rack
  • 24U
  • Scalable to a full 42U rack
Servers
  • 4 to 6 LCS ZPServers
Power
  • 1.1 kW (8 kW max), as published

Note: Measurement basis (per server vs. system, typical vs. maximum) is pending confirmation.

Storage
  • 16 TB, as published
Heat exchange
  • Self-contained heat exchangers
Monitoring
  • Self-monitoring capability
Cooling PUE
  • <1.04 (cooling system only)
Noise
  • <55 dBA
Configuration-dependent (per ZPServer): Small-Scale Solution server specifications that depend on configuration
Processors
  • Intel® Xeon® Scalable or AMD EPYC™ server processors
Accelerators / GPUs
  • NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel
I/O
  • Motherboard dependent
Power supply
  • System dependent
  • External / power shelf
  • Facility power required: 480/240/120 VAC
Standard server chassis & cooling: ZPServer chassis specifications used in the Small-Scale Solution
Form factor
  • 2U server
  • Standard 19″ rack, EIA and OCP
Chassis
  • Rugged sealed enclosure that protects electronics from oxidation, corrosion, dust, dirt, salt, humidity, and electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Dimensions (W × D × H)
  • 18 in × 33 in × 3.5 in
  • 45.72 cm × 83.82 cm × 8.89 cm
Fluid capacity
  • Approx. 5 US gallons (≈19 L) per 2 rack units
  • Single-phase dielectric heat-transfer fluid
Wet weight
  • Approx. 75 lb (≈34 kg)
Cooling
  • Patented Total Liquid Immersion with Directed Flow™ (TIDF)
Operating temperature
  • 32 °F – 113 °F (0 °C – 45 °C)
Heat-exchange options: Heat-exchange options for the Small-Scale Solution
Liquid-to-liquid
  • Silent operation
  • Published: up to 98% of waste heat captured in the fluid loop

Note: Capture into the fluid loop is not the same as heat reused on site; reuse depends on the facility.

Liquid immersion / fan-assisted
  • Install almost anywhere
  • Compatible with an existing server room and hot/cold aisle layouts
  • Published noise: <55 dBA

Note: Servers are fanless; this heat-rejection option itself uses fans.

Liquid-to-air (passive radiator)
  • Nearly silent
  • Options to use waste heat for facility heating applications

Warranty: 1 year parts and labor. Extended warranties are available. Contact LiquidCool Solutions for details.

Deployment & servicing

What to plan for

Site requirements
Facility power (480/240/120 VAC depending on configuration) and a network connection. No raised floor, air conditioning, or facility water is required for self-contained heat-exchange configurations.
Set-up
LCS states the system can be set up in under two hours once on site.
Scaling
Start with four to six servers in 24U and scale toward a full 42U rack.
Servicing
Servers are removed from the rack individually for maintenance.

Evidence & resources

Go deeper

FAQ

Small-Scale Solution questions

Next step

Need compute where there is no data center?

Tell us about your workload, site, and timeline. An LCS engineer will help you assess whether rack-based immersion fits your infrastructure.

Talk to LiquidCool SolutionsSee the evidence