Data Center Operational and

Services

IMS605

By
Yanty Rahayu Rambli
1
 Introduction to
Data Center

Data Center the Mission

Critical Site

2
 Data Center Goals
1. Business continuance
2. Increased security in the Data Center
3. Application, server and data center consolidation
4. Integration of applications whether client/server
and multitier(n-tier) or web services-related
applications
5. Storage consolidation

Data Center Fundamentals, P.Maurizio ((2012)

3
The Importance of Data
Center
• Data Centers house the devices that:
– Process your business transactions
– Host your website
– Process and store your intellectual
property
– Maintain your financial records
– Route your emails

4
The Importance of Data
Center
• Well-planned and effectively
managing data center.
• Data center is the brain of your
company.

5
Architecting A Productive
Data Center
1. Make it Robust
2. Make it Modular
3. Make it Flexible
4. Standardize
5. Promote good habits

Build the Best Data Center Facility for Your Business, Pg. 11, Douglas Alger (2005)

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 Make it Robust
• DC need to be reliable.
• Existence reason is to safeguarding company
most critical equipment and applications
regardless the worst thing can happen e.g.
natural disasters, utility failure, man made
disasters, unforeseen & etc.
• DC need to be up and running so your business
continues to operate.

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 Make it Robust
• To ensure this, DC infrastructure must have
depth:
– Standby power supplies to take over
– Redundant network stations to handle
communication needs if a network devices
malfunctions.

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 Make it Modular
• DC not only have depth of infrastructure but also
have breadth.
• Achieve uniform infrastructure.
• Design the room in interchangeable segments.
• Stock cabinet locations with identical infrastructure &
arrange in identical rows.
• Modularity keeps your DC infrastructure simple &
scalable.
• If a component fails in one section of the DC, users
can simply plug into the same infrastructure in
another area & immediately be operational again.

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 Make it Flexible
• It is safe to assume that routers, switches, servers,
and data storage devices will advance and change in
the coming years. Maybe they will get bigger and
heavier, requiring more power and floor space. Maybe
get smaller, require more data connections and
cooling as they are packed tighter into the DC. Or
They might even incorporate different technology
than today’s machines or require alternate
infrastructure.
• The better your server environment responds to
change, the more valuable and cost effective it is for
your business. New equipment can be deployed
quicker & easier with minimal cost or disruption to
business.

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 Make it Flexible
• Design for flexibility.
• Build infrastructure systems using components
that are easily changed or moved.
• Avoid items that inhibit infrastructure mobility.
• Make your server environment more adaptable by
providing buffer capacity. For instance, more data
ports, electrical circuits or cooling capacity than it
otherwise seems to require.

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 Standardize
• Make DC a consistent environment
• Provide stability for servers and networking
equipment it houses and increases its usability.
• The room modularity provides a good foundation
for this because once a user understands how
infrastructure is configured at one cabinet
location, he/she will understand it for the entire
room.
• Build on this by implementing uniform labelling
practices, consistent supplies and standard
procedures for the room.
• If your company has multiple server
environments, design them with a similar look
and feel. 12
 Standardize
• Even if a DC requires absolutely different
infrastructure from another, use identical
signage, colour coding, and supplies to make
them consistent.
• Standardization makes troubleshooting easier
and ensures quality control.
• The more different components in the DC, the
more complex the environment.
• The more complex the environment, the greater
the chance that someone will misunderstand the
infrastructure and make a mistake. Especially
during emergency.

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 Standardize
• Establish a standard for your DC, but also be
ready for those standards to evolve over time.
• For example: The server cabinet that so perfectly
meets your needs today may not work so well in
the next five years if server dimensions or power
requirements change.
• Standardize for clarity and consistency, but make
sure that even your DC standards exercise some
flexibility.

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 Promote Good Habits
• DC should be engineered to encourage desirable
behaviour.
• Incorporating the right conveniences into the DC
and eliminating the wrong ones definitely make
the space easier to manage.
• DC users are busy people. They are looking for
fastest solution to their problems, especially
when they are rushing to bring a system online
and are up against a deadline. Most of them
follow the path of least resistance. Make sure that
path goes where you want it to go.

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 Promote Good Habits
• Construct a nearby Build Room or what ever
room you can called it. Where engineers or
system administrators can unbox servers to keep
the DC free of boxes and pallets for example.
• Make primary DC aisles larger than those
between server rows, creating an obvious path
for users to follow when rolling refrigerator-sized
servers through the room for deployment.
• Install wall-mounted telephones with long
receiver cords throughout the DC if you are
concerned about interference from cellular
phones and want to reduce their usage.

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 Promote Good Habits
• Provide pre-tested patch cords to promote
standardized cabling practice.
• Design the DC so users can easily exercise good
habits and they will.
• DC Ergonomics
– Make things accessible
– Choose simple over complex
– Remove mystery
– Consider human nature

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 Roles of Data Center in the
Enterprise
1. Campus network
2. Private WAN
3. Remote access
4. Internet server farm
5. Extranet server farm
6. Intranet server farm

Data Center Fundamentals, P.Maurizio ((2012)

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 Data Center Services

1. IP Infrastructure services
2. Application services
3. Security services
4. Storage services
5. Business continuance infrastructure services

Data Center Fundamentals, P.Maurizio ((2012)

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Data Center Tier
&
Standard

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 TIA-942
• The development started 2002
• Ratified 2005 and updated/approved 2010
• Developed tier strategy for DC’s from Tier 1 until Tier 4
• Telecommunication Infrastructure Standard for Data
Centers: This standard is more IT cable and network
oriented and has various infrastructure redundancy and
reliability concepts based on the Uptime Institute’s Tier
Standard. TIA uses tables within the standard to easily
identify the ratings for telecommunications, architectural,
electrical, and mechanical systems.

• http://www.tia-942.org/content/162/289/About_Data_Centers

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 TIA-942
The TIA-942 is often chosen for a number of factors including -
- It is a real standard issued by a non-profit organization
- TIA is accredited by ANSI
- The standard is publically available leading to great
transparency
- The standard covers all aspects of the physical data
center including site location, architecture, security,
safety, fire suppression, electrical, mechanical and
telecommunication
•The TIA-942 standard serves as a baseline for anybody who
wishes to build a reliable and efficient data center.

•http://www.tia-942.org/content/162/289/About_Data_Centers

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 TIA-942
Types of TIA-942 Certification

•Design Certification
This status indicates that the design documents of the data center
under scope have been reviewed for conformity to the design
criteria of the ANSI/TIA-942 standard for the respective Rating/Tier*
level.
 
•Site Certification
This status indicates that the data center facility under scope has
been physically inspected for conformity to the design criteria of the
ANSI/TIA-942 standard for respective Rating/Tier* level.  This
physical inspection covers both an assessment of all related design
documents as well as a physical onsite inspection for each area
under the scope of the ANSI/TIA-942 standard.
•  23
 Rating/Tier* Level
Rated-1/Tier-1*: Basic Site Infrastructure
A DC which has single capacity components and a single, non-
redundant distribution path serving the computer equipment. It
has limited protection against physical events.
 
Rated-2/Tier-2*: Redundant Capacity Component Site
Infrastructure
A DC which has redundant capacity components and a single,
non-redundant distribution path serving the computer
equipment.  It has improved protection against physical events. 

*Detailed specifications are given in the ANSI/TIA-942 standard .

http://www.tia-942.org/content/162/289/About_Data_Centers 24
 Rating/Tier* Level
Rated-3/Tier-3*: Concurrently Maintainable Site Infrastructure
A DC which has redundant capacity components and multiple independent
distribution paths serving the computer equipment. Typically, only one
distribution path serves the computer equipment at any time. The site is
concurrently maintainable which means that each and every capacity
component including elements which are part of the distribution path, can be
removed/replaced/serviced on a planned basis without disrupting the ICT
capabilities to the End-User. It has protection against most physical events.
 
Rated-4/Tier-4*: Fault Tolerant Site Infrastructure
A DC which has redundant capacity components and multiple independent
distribution paths serving the computer equipment which all are active. The
DC allows concurrent maintainability and one (1) fault anywhere in the
installation without causing downtime. It has protection against almost all
physical events.

•  25
 Validity
• TIA-942 standard certification is valid for 3 years.  By the
end of year-1 and year-2, the DC should undergo a
surveillance audit.  By the end of year-3, the DC has to
undergo a recertification audit in order to keep its
certification valid. 
 
• * The term ‘Tier’ was used in the ANSI/TIA-942 Standard
until the ANSI/TIA-942:March-2014 edition. In the March
2014 edition the term ‘Tier’ has been replaced by either
‘Rated’ or ‘Rating’.

http://www.tia-942.org/content/162/289/About_Data_Centers 26
 Info
• Who certified TIA-942?

http://www.tia-942.org/datacenter/all/MYS/7/1/#tabs-1

• A world class hub for DC in Malaysia

http://www.datacentre.my/aims-data-centre-sdn-bhd

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Example: TIA-942 from 2005
standard

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 BICSI 002-2014
• Data Center Design and Implementation Best Practices
• This standard covers the major aspects of
- planning
- design
- construction and commissioning
of the MEP* building trades, as well as fire protection,
IT, and maintenance. It is arranged as a guide for data
center design, construction, and operation.

* MEP is an acronym that has been used historically to describe the

mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in building and industrial
projects.

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http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/01/06/data-center-design-which-standards-to-follow/
 Others DC Standard
• EN 50600: an International Standard
• An international series of data center standards in
continuous development is the EN 50600 series. Facility
ratings are based on Availability Classes, from 1 to 4.
• EN 50600-1 General concepts
• EN 50600-2-1 Building construction
• EN 50600-2-2 Power distribution
• EN 50600-2-3 Environmental control
• EN 50600-2-4 Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
• EN 50600-2-5 Security systems
• EN 50600-2-6 Management and operational information
systems
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 Others DC Standard
Operational Standards
•There are also many operational standards to choose from. These are
standards that guide your day-to-day processes and procedures once
the data center is built:
•Uptime Institute: Operational Sustainability (with and without Tier
certification)
•ISO 9000 – Quality System
•ISO 14000 – Environmental Management System
•ISO 27001 – Information Security
•PCI – Payment Card Industry Security Standard
•SOC, SAS70 & ISAE 3402 or SSAE16, FFIEC (USA) – Assurance
Controls
•AMS-IX – Amsterdam Internet Exchange – Data Centre Business
Continuity Standard
•EN50600-2-6 Management and Operational Information
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 Consistency & Documentation
• Consistency and Documentation are the ‘Key’.
• The nature of your business will determine which
standards are appropriate for your facility. If you have
multiple facilities across the US, then the US standards
may apply. For those with international facilities or a mix
of both, an international standard may be more
appropriate. The key is to choose a standard and follow
it. If deviations are necessary because of site limitations,
financial limitations, or availability limitations, they should
be documented and accepted by all stakeholders of the
facility.

http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/01/06/data-center-design-which-standards-to-follow/
32
 Tips
• Regardless of the standard followed, documentation and record keeping
of your operation and maintenance activities is one of the most important
parts of the process. Software management tools such as DCIM (DC
Infrastructure Management), CMMS (Computerized Maintenance
Management System), EPMS (Electrical Power Monitoring System), and
DMS (Document Management System) for operations and maintenance
can provide a “single pane of glass” to view all required procedures,
infrastructure assets, maintenance activities, and operational issues.

• Your facility must meet the business mission. DC design, construction,

and operational standards should be chosen based on definition of that
mission. Not all facilities supporting your specific industry will meet your
defined mission, so your facility may not look or operate like another,
even in the same industry.

http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/01/06/data-center-design-which-standards-to-follow/
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 Data Center Physical
Infrastructure & Design

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Data Center Requirements
1. Data center prerequisites
2. Budget constraints
3. Selecting a Geographical location
4. Selecting an existing building
(Retrofitting)

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Data Center Requirements
Practical Requirement
• Provide a physically secure location
for servers, storage and network
equipment
• Provide 24 x 7 network connectivity
for equipment within the data center
to devices outside the data center

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Data Center Requirements

• Provide necessary power to operate

all equipment
• Provide an environment where the
temperature and humidity are
controlled within narrow range and
air is exchanged at an adequate rate.

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 Data Center Prerequisites
Required:
1. Physical area for equipment &
unoccupied space
2. Power to run all the devices
3. Cooling & HVAC
4. Weight
5. Network bandwidth
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1. Physical area for equipment
& unoccupied space
• Physical capacity = available space
for servers, storage, network
devices, HVAC (Heating, ventilation
and air conditioning), power panels,
breakers and floor to support the
weight of the equipment.

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1. Physical area for equipment
& unoccupied space
• Space required for new servers and
storage in the coming years must also
be accounted for in the initial plan.
• The number and type of devices
(servers, storage, network
equipments) to be placed in the data
center have the most impact on its
design.
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1. Physical area for equipment
& unoccupied space
• The are must be large enough to
accommodate servers and storage
for the next coming years.

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2. Power to run all the devices

• To protect against power failures,

uninterruptible power supplies
(UPSs) must be present in every
data center.

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 3. Cooling & HVAC

• HVAC = heating, ventilation and air

conditioning.
• HVAC is required to keep the devices
cool and maintain low humidity
within the data center.
• HVAC must have enough cooling
capacity to meet present and future
needs
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 3. Cooling & HVAC

• Cooling requirements are measured

in British thermal units (BTUs) per
hour.
• HVAC manufacturer provides this.
• Example : IBM ESS Storage
Subsystem requires 16,000 BTUs per
hour.

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 3. Cooling & HVAC

• Cooling requirements are measured

in British thermal units (BTUs) per
hour.
• HVAC manufacturer provides this.
• Example : IBM ESS Storage
Subsystem requires 16,000 BTUs per
hour.

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 3. Cooling & HVAC

• The air-flow pattern is very

important in cooling the equipment.
• It is controlled by the under-floor
pressure, which, in turn, depends on
the HVAC unit and relative
placement of solid and perforated
tiles on the raised floor.

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47
 4. Weight
A few different types of loads that the
floor must be able to support:

1.Maximum weight that the entire data

center floor can support
2.Maximum weight that a single tile can
support
3.Maximum point load that a tile can
support

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 5. Network Bandwidth
• Network connection bust be up and
running 24 x 7 without failed.

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 Budget Constrains
• Build budget = The amount of money
allocated for designing, building and
initial deployment of a new data center.

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 Budget Constrains
Budget Consideration
1. Budget amount
2. Amount adequate to design and construct
a data center, given the set of
expectations such as capacity, uptime
requirements, building codes and so forth.
3. Enough money to set up all mandatory
elements. Eg:HVAC, UPS, generators,
Internet connectivity redundancy, etc

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 Budget Constrains
Budget Consideration
4. Redundant links to Internet via
different ISP.
5. At what stages will the funds be
released to pay for incurred
expenses.

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