Data Centre Refurbishment And Upgrades
The content discusses the complexities of data centre refurbishment and upgrades, highlighting the various factors Power Continuity considers in the process. Key points include optimizing space layout, ensuring load-bearing capacity, adhering to regulations, and planning for future expansion. Specific upgrades such as disaster prevention systems, power supplies, cooling systems, fire suppression, and building security are emphasized. The design and planning phase is crucial for aligning costs with company needs to avoid future issues like downtime and data loss. The piece encourages early action for refurbishment and suggests modular containerised data centres as a timely solution. Power Continuity offers professional support throughout the refurbishment journey.
Data centre refurbishment and upgrades at first glance might sound reasonably straightforward. Consideration of various options and permutations, along with the individual needs of each company. Data centre design is not as simple as it might seem.
What are the factors that Power Continuity considers? Here is your check list:-
- Optimising the layout , hence making the best use of the existing space if upgrading an existing building or expanding an existing site).
- Load-bearing capacity of floors – increasing floor space in the Data Centre.
- Planning and building regulations.
- Allowance for possible future expansion, at both ground level and above
- Disaster Prevention– Flooding and other weather-related disasters.
- Installing or upgrading dual GRID supplies.
- Upgrading transformers.
- Upgrading LV panels and breakers.
- Building security enhancements.
- Data storage requirements for the new IT equipment – New Aisles.
- Cooling systems upgrades.
- Fire Suppression upgrades.
- Upgrading the Mechanical services boards.
- Availability of a reliable power supply : at least GRID power from two separate rings.
- Installation of fast switching Static Switches between the A & B feeds.
- Local internet connectivity, fibre and cloud.
- Emergency standby power – Upgrading UPS systems and Generators.
- Resilience – at least N+1 as the minimum. N+3 is preferred true Power Continuity.
- Building condition – Roof upgrades to avoid leaks etc.
- Time frame – allowing for shutdowns.
- Upgrade monitoring and maintenance requirement with Power Continuity 24/7.
- Governance – Power Continuity takes the ownership of the Hardware.
- Servers – ensure that every server has a minimum of 20mS holdup time.
- Power Continuity can handle all of the above and still keep your Data Centre LIVE.
Design and planning process
Firstly, it’s priority to inform Power Continuity at the beginning of this journey, together of your preferred requirements. Compare actual budget allowance.
If you go through the above checklist this will allow Power Continuity to have a clear focus throughout the design and build process creating the upgraded data centre that meets your company’s needs for the future. On the other hand, ignoring or making cost cutting decisions in these areas can result massive issues down stream. Consequently down time and data loss will invariably be hugely expensive. Lost clients, lost time and lost profit.
Power Continuity design and planning teams, can help you to avoid problems later on during the building process and throughout ongoing future use of your refurbished data centre. Power Continuity engineers are hands on, fully trained and ready to help you.
Don’t put off your Data centre refurbishment and upgrades works until it is too late.
Act early, before obsolesce bites!
If you have limited space for a data centre build, then you may wish to consider the possibility of having a ready-made modular containerised data centre delivered to your site. This may also be a good option if you are working within a very tight time frame.
If you’re looking to upgrade your Data Centre, call us on 0845 055 8455, we’re here to help!