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Data center audit

by John Herbert | Director

Introduction

Imagine for a moment the consequences of a power or air conditioning failure in your data center, angry customers, lost business, the total loss could be counted in the millions, your business may take months to recover.

data center infrastructure audit

Always on is the mantra however reality often blocks the way, the Uptime Institute (USA) report that the cost of an information outage caused by just a single infrastructure failure can sometimes exceed the whole annual budget for your infrastructure operation.

Furthermore, while data center infrastructure failures only represent less than four percent (4%) of all outage events, they account for twenty five (25%) or more of all outage downtime.

Since we can't yet operate a high density data centers without electrical power, and the requisite cooling, the E&M infrastructure remains a critical element of all data center operations.


Operators and managers need a tool to ensure that all practical measures have been undertaken to ensure the stability, and reliability.

Why Audit?

Why does a data center require an audit?

Unlike other environments data center are unique in that they are continuously evolving. Even new build data centers, between initial conception, and closeout most likely the IT equipment configuration has already changed.

Why your current thermal control system may be inadequate.

The number of servers worldwide has increased approximately 150 times in less than a decade.

During that same period, computing power per server has increased by a factor of 10. Yet manufacturers are still forecasting growth, a further increase to over 150W CPUs per year. 

For many businesses the demands for processing power has greatly increased since their datacenter was completed. And while the hardware cost of this additional processing power may have been stabilizing or even decreasing, the electrical cost for cooling did not.

More powerful hardware is often introduced in the same rack space designed for much less advanced units. While these more powerful CPU's were being added, too often the AC equipment required to cool them was not upgraded, added and probably for good reason - disruption.

As a result computer rooms are getting getting warmer and warmer, while IT and operators managers struggle to determine the best and most affordable fix.

In a modern data center it is common to find racks at near full capacity, populated with equipment with multiple, and more powerful processors. All of this added power may generate more heat than the datacenter’s AC units can cool.

Over time new hardware, and IT configurations are also added to cope with increasing consumer demand, this requires additional electrical power and computer equipment. For example newer blade servers allow more IT capacity to be fitted into a standard computer rack than ever before, but can the air conditioning system cope?

Unchecked data center expansion affects the stability of the E&M infrastructure

In the same way as an accountant reviews your finances to ensure that all the credits and debits matched, a data center E&M infrastructure audit verifies that the infrastructure is sound, and operating correctly.

Solutions

A Kelcroft data center infrastructure audit a technical review of the essential E&M infrastructure that underpins your entire data center operation creating a valuable report card.

It is a systematic methodical assessment of the essential, Building Services (E&M) that support your data center. Auditing can be structured and customized to suit your needs, a typical audit comprises:

  • Condition survey
  • Technical audit of the M&E infrastructure
  • Record site environmental data
  • Verification of management systems
  • Reliability analysis
  • point failure analysis
  • Historical outage review

The findings from the audit investigation is packaged and presented as comprehensive report - provide a report card on the health of your data centre.

Experience

In mission critical applications, experience matters. Kelcroft's international consultancy track record help owners make smarter decisions

  • Experience matters
  • Millions of square feet online
  • Professional responsive approach
  • Personal service
  • Trusted results

data center infrastructure audits for creation of value added data centers and mission critical facilities in Hong Kong, China, Asia.

data center infrastructure audit

Above: Data center thermal simulation created using CFD analysis.

Kelcroft's international experience delivers a competitive edge for your business.

With millions of square feet already operational you can trust Kelcroft's expertise, and deliver problem free data center environments.

the experts recommend annual auditing ensures that the critical systems are working properly.

Our expertise includes design, and audit of the following systems:

Mechanical services design

Electrical services design

  • Power conditioning
  • Power distribution
  • Backup power generation systems
  • Grounding, bonding, and earthing
  • Lighting
  • Lightning protection
  • Telecommunications
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Fire protection design

  • Total Gas Flooding suppression
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Fire detection systems
  • Smoke Control
  • Pre-action fire protection systems
  • VESDA system

Security design

  • CCTV
  • Personnel Access control
  • Alarm systems
  • Intruder detection and alarm

Plumbing and drainage design

  • Water detection
  • Flood protection

Miscellaneous


Further Information

For further information regarding Kelcroft's services, call today, our Hong Kong office telephone: +(852) 2335 9830, send us a fax +(852) 2335 9862, or send us an email message

KEYWORDS: DATA CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE AUDIT; HOT spots; Datacenter cooling; Technical review.
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