Design Editorial

Change is the spice of life and this applies well to data center technology. For example a data center which might have been setup say a decade ago, might have been the best data center amongst its contemporaries, boasting state of the art equipment, hardware, air-conditioning equipment and so forth. Yet over the years the data center industry may not have kept pace with the changing technologies around it. The end result is a need for renovation and upgrades.

There could be another scenario in which a totally new data center might be planned either to replace the old or just too progressively replace it in a phased manner. In both these cases it is imperative that certain generic points be kept in mind by the designers and data center management. Of course I need to emphasize that this should only be taken as a generic guide whilst the exact scenario might be different in each specific case. Despite this fact, this article should act as a good guide for anyone thinking about designing, re-designing or renovating a data center.

The very first thing which would come to mind either while designing or renovating a data center is the final result required in terms of the infrastructure that a data center would have such as availability, energy efficiency and so forth. Once the designer and the IT management team knows what exactly they are looking for then they can go forward to actually build the same. The key take away is to know what and how much you need and make sure that the entire team including designers and management are on the same page. Data centers are investment intensive and hence for the same reason they need to be carefully planned.

One should never make the mistake of under-sizing a data center. Just imagine the agony and explaining to management when you have to explain you need more space, cooling or electrical capacity.

It is equally important not to over size a data center. In recent years there has been an emergence of engineering firms who are new to the data center industry. These “rookies” would take the approach that it is best to over size. This approach has cost companies a large up front bill for capacity they won’t need in years or ever.

If you are not familiar with the term “modular” design you best become familiar with it. Modular design provides a data center owner the ability to move in day one with his or her data center needs met. As time progresses and demand requires more space or capacity the modular design concept allows the data center owner to easily add to the facility without disruption to existing infrastructure.

When designing modularly one must keep in mind that the base infrastructure such as piping and conduits must be designed for the peak design load in the future. This will allow your design to be without disruption when the next modular phase occurs. Other infrastructure components can be designed modularly as well including transformers, generators, switchgear, cooling equipment, etc. What is important is to have the space pre-planned for and available when the time arrives. The key take away here is to design modularly. A modular design will save costs and disruptions in the future. 

Always keep the future in mind. We can all agree that no one can totally predict the future. Technology constantly changes and so do corporate demands, requirements and regulatory compliance. Planning accordingly is important. To do so requires trending your data center to determine where you have been to get a better picture at where you are going.

The bottom line is if you think you will be renovating or building a new data center in the next five years you had best start planning now by tracking the changes in your data center from the power and cooling consumption to the rate in which new equipment and applications are deployed. It is better to invest a little more extra resources today than to have a poorly designed data center later.

Many designers tend to be lured by the standard design format while designing or renovating a data center and must be avoided. Since each data center is unique it is not good to simply copy other designs but one should try to be as specific as possible to the requirements of the business and organization for which the data center is being designed and this focus will certainly pay off in the long run. The key take away at this point is to ensure you have a qualified and experienced team of design experts who are holistic in their design approach.

The holistic approach takes into consideration all aspects of the data center from the facility to the IT infrastructure. During the early stages of review and analysis of your needs you may discover other opportunities to reduce or meet your requirements and increase efficiency by checking processes, technology or reviewing if outsourcing is a better solution.

Other driving factors when programming your new or renovated facility will be regulatory and other standards needs such as Sarbanes Oxley, HIPPA, and so forth. The key take away here is to know what regulations or corporate requirements will drive your renovation or design requirements.

If you are relocating or looking for a new open field to build a new facility it is equally important to consider geographical location. Geographical location selection has become more than selecting a location for its hardness regarding natural or man made disasters, consideration for power utility rates, telecommunication connections and tax benefits are just as important.  

Last but not least build flexibility into your project from budget to time whenever possible. One of the greatest mistakes is those rushed into. A data center is the brain center of an organization. When the demand requires an expansion or new data center facility we hope that you are prepared enough to see it coming.

To recap, here is a bulleted summary of what we discussed:

1. Make sure that you are prepared and see the need before it is in front of you. To do this you need to trend and document your data center from facility to IT demands. This is important because it will provide a picture to what your needs will be in the future. Regardless if you are in volatile and ever changing environment it is important to track where you have been to help you map out where you are going.
2. Be sure your entire team is on the same page with your requirements. Engage management, facilities and your IT team to provide input to your trend findings. This will help everyone prepare accordingly and maintain a unified goal.
3. Surround yourself with an experienced and qualified design team who are capable of thinking holistically rather than taking a narrow approach to your requirements.
4. Know your availability and regulatory requirements and do not over exaggerate them. To every data center owner downtime is unwanted, but most can afford to go down. It is important to know your availability and regulatory requirements because the more available you need to be the higher the expense.
5. When designing think modularly. You may eventually need 20,000 more square feet and 100 Megawatts of power, but you may not need it day one. Plan on getting to your final need with a modular design from your power system to the overall building and it will save your budget.
6. Know your geographical requirements and select a site that best meets your needs.
7. Whenever possible be flexible and most importantly be prepared for your data center requirements before it catches you off guard.

As already stated, the above list is certainly not exhaustive but acts as an excellent platform to start thinking in the right direction about the process of design or renovation.