Over recent years Data Centres have become a much more common sight, with large companies and organisations requiring massive physical storage facilities to keep their data in. These organisations range from institutions such as the National Health Service to massive financial organisations, all of whom hold a huge amount of data which needs to be extremely safe and constantly updatable. This article looks the organisation required to provide this crucial modern day service.
Many corporations and organisations have moved their traditional paper based data storage across to digital data storage. In terms of reducing paper waste, these data centres are a much better alternative. Equally though, these data centres have recently been put in the spotlight because of the huge CO2 emissions they give off. Keeping all that data available to its respective owners uses up a massive amount of power, but modern governmental and economic organisations require these data centres in order to function.
One of the key aspects to running a data centre is keeping the air temperature within ranges specified by the manufacturers. An organisation called ASHRAE (involved with refrigeration and air conditioning-related industries) has created a document which outlines the best temperatures at which to have data storage units running.
It recommends 20-25 degrees as being best for the air temperature, while a humidity range of 40 to 55% is specified. If the temperature gets too high, storage equipment can malfunction. Similarly, if equipment is in too humid an environment it can, again, not operate properly because water forms on the chips. This requires a huge amount of power, and one way of addressing this issue is building storage facilities under ground.
The power sources used for data centres have to be fully uninterruptible. Facilities are usually backed up with diesel generators in the eventuality of power failure. All power connections are usually backed up.
Fire Protection systems are another crucial element to the safe running of a data centre. Sprinkler systems are a must, and high tech data centres have extremely high specification sprinklers which can detect when a piece of equipment is smouldering - long before an actual flame can develop. Sprinklers require 18 inches of clearance between their position and any objects below.
As another layer of safety, data centres are usually divided up into different blocks with fire walls separating them. In the event of a full fire this would keep a fire limited to one zone. In an ideal outcome, the fire would not spread because of the sprinklers or other fire suppression systems. Fire walls are also crucial if there are no fire suppression systems installed.
As much of the data stored in these sprawling data centres is very valuable or sensitive, physical security plays an important role in the smooth operation of the facility. As a rule, only security verified personnel are allowed on to the site. Video surveillance, bollards and man traps also tend to form other security measures - and the constant physical presence of security personnel is usual - especially if the data being stored is of particular importance. In the case of large data centres, constant security is almost certain.
Author Resource:-
Anna Stenning is an expert on data centres having been involved the running of many data centres.
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