DCN February 2017 | Page 26

infrastrucure management
Perfect communication between all components in a fire safety system is essential for the effectiveness of the complete system .
High noise levels during the extinguishing process may disturb HDD operation .
Beyond the fire extinguishing system Of course data centres need to be protected but they also need to offer a business the flexibility of scale to grow as needed . They must accommodate a rapidly growing volume of data traffic while ensuring systems do not overheat . They are such an integral part of many businesses and organisations today that they affect both how they operate and how they grow .
For companies that provide hosting services , the amount of data storage and power demand can vary widely from moment to moment and a larger number of people may have authorised access to the building . This model demands good DCIM system to maintain the integrity of operations . Balancing the need to offer varied services while optimising IT performance takes particular expertise and understanding of all aspects of processes and data management .
For an operation to remain competitive , integrated data centre solutions need to maximise system availability and drive operational efficiency . They need to take into account energy efficiency and carbon footprint as well as security of data , buildings and assets . They must ensure consistent environmental conditions ; enable robust power distribution ; provide protection against the risk of fire damage , and integrate the demands of IT with effective facility management .
To create an energy efficient data centre infrastructure , having accurate data and reporting tools are essential . Specialist services such as energy auditing and remote energy monitoring can help optimise energy usage in data centres , resulting in a lower environmental impact and reduced operating overheads . Effective power monitoring can help operators understand power consumption in real time , enabling dynamic strategies to control energy use and rapid identification of any potential issues that require corrective action . Having a greater understanding of the power demands within a data centre also helps to create greater resilience to power outages – a situation that is catastrophic to any data centre .
HVAC and cooling systems within a data centre account for a substantial part of the total energy usage . They are also vital to the operation and protection of the IT systems . As such , they require a building management system that both optimises energy use and ensures consistent , reliable environmental control . Rapid alarming and clear visualisation of any irregularity are vital if operators are to react before problems arise with the availability of systems .
Summary Data centres are such a vital part of modern business and society , having systems in place that ensure their availability will provide return on investment . Such systems should consider all aspects of the needs of these operations and integrate the needs of the IT systems with efficient infrastructure management . Solutions should be tailored to specific business needs with views on safety , security , integrity and efficiency . Holistic approaches to areas such as fire safety will help better protect both equipment and personnel .
Although much more is now understood about the impact of the noise and vibration generated by a discharge of the fire extinguishing system , there are still incidents today where systems are damaged resulting in costly downtime . Working with partners that fully understand data centre processes and infrastructures will help to keep operations running smoothly . Suppliers such as Siemens can help with all aspects of data centre management solutions for new and existing installations .
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