Tips for choosing a Data Center
With the ever increasing competition faced by businesses, 
the risk of losing data or facing downtime is one of
the highest risks faced today.
Businesses have to rely on continuity of work even in the case of a natural
calamity or man-made disasters. Businesses continuity and
Disaster recovery planning plays a key role in this.
As part of your continuity planning, choosing to have a data center to keep your updated
data safe is an option that most of us turn to. With recent data centers, there is also an
option of co-location. Co-location is nothing but having one more office located far-off that
can be in a dormant state and can get activated when the primary office faces a problem.
Having thought of having a data center, you can either choose to build your own or go to established
providers that provide you with data center facilities.
In doing so, there are a few points that you need to consider –
The location of the data center
he data center has to be located in a region
which is not prone to natural disasters like hurricanes,
tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.
Power Generation and Backup for the Data Centre
Redundancy is the key to an efficient data center so that in
case one source fails the other can be activated without loss of data and work.
While looking for a data center you need to investigate its sources of power.
Either the data center needs to have its own power generation capabilities or very
strong sources of power. Power backup sources like UPS and generators also need to
be catered to. Customizable power options can also be checked which will
enable you to avail multiple backup options.
Network connectivity
You need to check that the data center has redundant
network connectivity that suits your requirements in terms of number of connections,
bandwidth and speed. Telephone connectivity also needs to be checked.Some features that you can check for are –
- Blended internet access with multiple carriers to ensure redundancy.
- Capacity of the fiber optic cables to ensure desired internet speed.
- A range of bandwidth options to choose from if desired.
Cooling Systems
The machines that are used to store data are high-end machines and heat up faster.
For their optimal functioning, maintaining the correct temperatures is paramount.
Multiple cooling systems need to be checked for to ensure that the ideal temperature
is maintained at all times. Data centers usually use water lines specially designed to circulate cool water.
Water pumps, chillers and tower coolers are also employed by some data centers.
Security – As you may be sharing data space with other businesses, or may have critical data,
security is a primary concern. Good data centers usually provide segregated space for individual
businesses with gated access, entry passes and special access to authorized personnel.
CCTV cameras are also installed and monitored 24×7 to ensure that there is no violation of security.
Fire prevention – The data center that you choose or build should have
fire prevention systems like alarms as well as suppression systems
like fire exits and fire-fighting systems.
Colocation facilities – If you plan to engage a colocation facility,
you also need to look at the amenities available to you and your teams.
Some of the amenities that you may want to consider are-
- Support staff for technical emergencies.
- The sufficiency of the office space provided to your team.
Data centers provide you with the option of having a dedicated or a shared office space.
In addition to the space, you also need to look at the work stations,
computers and other facilities that you may require.
To co locate and start up the new office without a time lag,
all these facilities need to be up and running at all times. - There should be adequate parking, rest rooms and cafeterias for your relocated teams.
- Proximity of the data center from airports, train stations also need to
be considered for easy movement of your teams.
Cost
– The last but not the least important factor is the cost associated with all these facilities.
More the facilities and features, naturally more will be the cost.
The end
The TIB Team.