Data Centre Design and Infrastructure

Data centres are often referred to as the "central nervous system" of a company. This is due to some organisations relying completely and fully on the smooth operation of their information systems in order to even be able to facilitate their purpose. The failure of these systems can cause catastrophic implications to a business or organisation, even to the extent of having to cease trading or operation.

"What do data centres contain exactly?"

There are many components that can make up an organisation's data centre. These can include:

? any associated telecommunication and storage systems

? an uninterruptible power supply system

? redundant data communications connections

? a form of security device

? various controls for the environment such as air conditioning.

All of these various components need to be housed together and it is imperative to ensure that the design and infrastructure is logical and implemented in such a way to ensure these elements can perform their required function correctly.

"How are data centre's design and infrastructure planned?"

Depending on the size of the company or organisation, these centres can vary from occupying a single room of an office, to an entire floor or building. Although it may seem an unimportant measure for smaller operations, it is clear that larger centres require much more planning in terms of design and infrastructure.

Some of the basic planning principles for the process of designing a centre, whether they are large or small, are as follows:

? Modelling Configurations - this is the initial planning principle whereby it is important to establish a plan for all of the required elements within the data centre and costing. This can include sizing and spacing issues, costs of uninterruptible power supplies, data centre location requirements and much more.

? Mechanical Engineering Infrastructure Planning -this entails the focus on the ability to maintain the information systems by ensuring their environment is suitably optimised in order for them to function correctly. This encompasses temperature control and de-humidifiers as well ventilation control.

? Flexibility and Adaptability - the company or organisation's requirements are often ever evolving which has a direct effect on the requirements of the centre. With this is mind it is appropriate to ensure that the design and infrastructure is completed in such a way to allow for this; easily movable modular systems that are placed with easy access.

There are many more design principles that are required to follow to ensure optimal data centre infrastructure is obtained with no need to revisit in the future.

Whilst for some this can be a very swift operation, larger companies will invest much time, effort and money into this process thus it becomes clear of the vital importance of a data centre's design and infrastructure.

Source: http://www.readingprinters.co.uk/computer-hardware-articles/2723-data-centre-design-and-infrastructure

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