| Your data center is the lifeblood of your business. | | | | build. Inadequate planning will result in an inefficient |
| Data centers not only house your core business | | | | build that more than likely falls into one of these five |
| applications, customer transactions, storage of all | | | | problematic areas that are commonly found with |
| digitized information, but they can also include | | | | incorrectly configured data centers. |
| telecommunications and environmental controls of | | | | Proactively addressing these problematic issues will |
| your entire business. | | | | improve the quality of your data center and its ability |
| The modern datacenter has such a vital role in | | | | to support your business both now and in the future. |
| today's business world, it is essential that when | | | | A data center should serve to facilitate certain |
| building one, the build is done correctly the first time. | | | | core-business processes in the most cost-effective |
| With virtualization technology now enabling businesses | | | | manner. |
| to create virtual datacenters it's imperative that the | | | | Below are 5 smart tips describing what to avoid |
| build/design strategy encompass not only the physical | | | | when building you next data center: |
| datacenter components, but the virtual software | | | | 1. Over-engineering the data center with unnecessary |
| components that are now an integral part of | | | | equipment and capital expenditures. |
| datacenter builds. | | | | 2. Using personnel with limited knowledge, skills, |
| Below are five areas where datacenter builds are | | | | abilities, and exposure to emerging data center |
| most commonly done incorrectly. Considering the | | | | technologies. |
| costs involved, these can be expensive mistakes that | | | | 3. Failure to standardize on data center equipment |
| have long-term cost implications regardless of size or | | | | that's adaptable and scalable to both current and |
| scope. Be sure to address these problematic areas | | | | future needs. |
| prior to building your data center: | | | | 4. Failure to objectively test electrical load flow, air |
| 1. Incorrect power density level | | | | flow, and cabling into and outside of the data center. |
| Power density in this context refers to the amount | | | | 5. Failing to get a second opinion from the |
| of power needed per server rack. This definition is | | | | manufacturer or vendor prior to installing the actual |
| essential in the data center build as it will define levels | | | | equipment for the data center build. |
| of power and cooling needed. Accurate power | | | | Always have a second set of eyes review the data |
| density must be determined per rack (both now and | | | | center build strategy. Involve facilities, key IT |
| in the future), as opposed to the power draw of the | | | | personnel and executive management in the process. |
| room or row of server racks. | | | | Remaining conscious of these smart tips will help you |
| 2. Incorrect assessment of current IT environment | | | | avoid costly traps that could prove detrimental to |
| The current capabilities of your IT equipment must | | | | your data center build. It is essential to consider |
| be correctly determined in order to select the proper | | | | outside help in determining your business' data center |
| equipment for a data center build. Consulting a | | | | needs. Depending on your datacenter project, |
| specialist can help you determine the capabilities you | | | | considering outside expertise will provide you with an |
| currently have versus the capabilities your business | | | | unbiased opinion on the needs of various elements |
| needs now and for the future. | | | | that make up a modern datacenter. |
| 3. Inadequate cooling | | | | After you have completed the design plans for your |
| Correctly determining the power density required by | | | | new or existing data center upgrade, check with the |
| your server racks will help you determine the proper | | | | equipment manufacturer you intend to use and ask |
| level of cooling needed, but there are other issues | | | | them if the proposed hardware is at the end of its |
| involved in getting cooling right within your data | | | | life cycle or will soon be replaced by newer |
| center. Hot spots must be found and minimized to | | | | technology. |
| keep your data center running at maximum efficiency | | | | Remember this: Manufacturers stay up to date on |
| and with minimum maintenance. | | | | this kind of research and will be able to provide you |
| 4. Excess data center capacity | | | | with the answer. The very nature of the data center |
| Data centers are expensive. Be sure to build out for | | | | business demands that key personnel stay |
| what your present and future business needs are. | | | | up-to-date on emerging technologies within their |
| Use past history, experiences and the proper | | | | realm of expertise in order to avoid purchasing |
| analytical tools to help determine what is needed | | | | outdated legacy technology. |
| while considering future growth at your company. | | | | The reason I suggest this is because during the |
| With virtualization technology impacting all aspects of | | | | period from initial planning and conceptual design to |
| the technology infrastructure, it's important to | | | | the actual installation of all equipment, usually a |
| consider the huge benefits of server consolidation as | | | | significant period of time will pass. On top of that |
| more and more companies embrace virtual | | | | (especially with tenant improvements) multiple |
| datacenters. | | | | permits must be obtained, space requirements |
| 5. Data center components not following | | | | change and there are a host of other unforeseen |
| standardization | | | | events you must contend with that will influence the |
| In your data center design strategy it is essential to | | | | final date you actually complete the build. |
| adapt to industry standards. Standardized | | | | Don't forget, your business needs a data center to |
| components allow for the data center to be | | | | facilitate the processes of everyday operations. |
| constructed modularly which streamlines the whole | | | | When done correctly, the data center build will |
| process and allows for future expansion and | | | | enhance the continuity of your business with a |
| upgrades. Building with specific design and component | | | | reliable IT infrastructure that can be readily upgraded |
| standards avoids unnecessary costs associated with | | | | should the need arise. |
| downtime and lost business opportunities because | | | | Proper data center builds provide peace of mind with |
| your equipment is noncompliant or incompatible with | | | | a secure environment that minimizes downtime and |
| newer emerging technologies. | | | | provides data redundancy to accelerate disaster |
| Planning your data center is essential for a successful | | | | recovery should the need arise. |