Practical Data Center Management Tips

To store and process a large amount of information, powerful servers, and disk storage are used. It is difficult and expensive to maintain such technical systems on your own since the maintenance of servers requires special technical conditions, separate premises, and qualified personnel. There are several new data centres being built across the world and the most recent to be opened is in Perth, and involves Walt Coulston.

The creation of suitable conditions for the placement of such technical solutions is one of the key purposes of data centers. DCs become an integral element of the infrastructure of any enterprise. They are commonly used in modern society. Any center requires specialized equipment to accommodate devices. https://sysracks.com/ offers all the required tools to arrange and furnish your DC.

What are Data Centers?

A data processing center (DC) is a single multi-component system designed to ensure an uninterrupted automated operation of business processes. Data processing centers are created primarily to increase the productivity of companies that actively use information technology in their activities, as well as to improve the quality of services provided. Further, hyperscale data center are huge facilities developed by firms with enormous data processing and storage requirements.

Data centers specialize in the placement of specialized computer devices designed to store and process information, as well as to provide customers with communication channels for accessing the Internet or transmitting data. The main task of the data center is to create a secure, reliable space with favorable climatic conditions for work, guaranteed power supply, thanks to which a Tennant company can always access its data that is closed to unauthorized users.

Types of DCs

• Corporate data centers can be roughly divided into two categories. Most large corporations have their own data centers for processing and storing information, as well as supporting the functioning of their own services. As a rule, such companies have main and backup data centers, which are located in different places and between which the load is redistributed.
• Commercial data centers provide data storage and processing services to third-party clients. Client companies can use a hybrid model, in which they combine their own infrastructure and the capacities of commercial options for the most cost-effective operation.

Nowadays, DCs are used almost everywhere. No bank, store, pharmacy, post office, administrative institution, office will work without it. The thing is that its size may differ. The larger the company is, the bigger DC it requires since more computing power should be generated.

DC Objectives

Any business seeks to maximize its revenues and reduce costs. Leaders of large companies know that it is better to spend a little more money on process modernization than to lose huge sums to eliminate unforeseen circumstances. Thus, a number of main tasks are set before the buying of a data center. These include:

• storage and analysis of a large amount of information;
• ensuring the security of IT systems;
• maximum data availability;
• systems reliability;
• unification of distributed systems;
• ensuring uninterrupted operation.

All this ultimately leads to increased business reliability. However, these tasks are successfully met only if the system works smoothly and reliably. System administrators must take into account too many factors, which is why data center operations management can be a very complicated task.

Data Center Management Tips and Solutions

1. Server equipment racks

Any DC implies accommodating hardware somewhere. Thus, system administrators need some products to furnish their rooms. Modern manufacturers produce two main types of server furniture, namely:

• open-frame racks (two or four vertical posts without sidewalls and with specialized holes for fastening devices);
• enclosed cabinets (with sidewalls and perforated doors with latches).

Floor-standing and wall-mounted models are found in catalogs of server furniture producers.

Each of them has its benefits. Thus, open-frame models are distinguished by excellent ventilation and cooling properties while they do not protect equipment from both dust/debris and unauthorized use. On the contrary, enclosed cabinets have poorer cooling characteristics, but they are more secure.

2. Cable management

As a rule, DCs are large rooms with dozens of active hardware connected with each other with cables. When the system is ready to operate, it turns out that there are too many cables that one can hardly find where it leads. Thus, to simplify the process of maintenances, skilled system administrators use the following practices:

• use color sticks to identify cables,
• keep patch cables short,
• bound several cables to group them somehow.

Proper cabling is one of the main concerns for maintenance staff. Thus, do not neglect this practice to avoid a lot of nasty inconveniences in the future.

3. Storage space

Racks and cabinets can be of different sizes. Depending on the number of devices to be housed inside this server furniture, the size is chosen. Here, note the following point:

• U stands for the height, where 1U is 1.75 inches.
• Before buying, measure devices, calculate how much space is required for their storage. Here comes the most important note. Remember to leave extra space inside the cabinet. You should not place hardware tightly to allow air to circulate freely and prevent overheating, as well as foresee further system expansion.
• Make a layout to develop the most appropriate and ergonomic location and determine whether you need wall-mounted cabinets.

4. Hardware temperature

Keep in mind that network equipment heats well, which may lead to overheating. Thus, an efficient ventilation system must be installed. To prevent it, make sure to control the following points:

• Open-racks are better cooled since they have no sidewalls, and the air can circulate freely.
• Forced fan systems must be installed in enclosed models.
• Do not house devices too tightly.
• Install sensors that will monitor temperature and other environmental parameters.

5. Energy efficiency

Computing equipment requires a lot of energy. Moreover, high capacity ones. Make sure that your power unit is powerful enough to withstand such a big load.

Datacenter management is not an easy task. Here, system administrators deal with expensive high-precious equipment, so they do not have a chance to mistake. It is important to foresee too many parameters to develop a quality and functioning data center.