Data Center 411

Posted by Intelligent Network Solutions (Insol) on

What are the options if I am running out of space, cooling, and power?

Optimize: The quickest way to address this problem and increase available power, space and cooling is to optimize an existing  facility.   The biggest gains in optimization can be achieved by reducing overall server power load (through virtualization) and by improving the  efficiency of the facility.  For example, up to 70% of the power required to cool and humidify the data center environment can be conserved with  currently available technologies such as outside air economizers, ultrasonic humidification, high efficiency transformers and variable frequency drive  units (VFDs).  Using these techniques when combined with new, higher density IT systems will allow many facilities to increase IT capacity while  simultaneously decreasing facility overhead.

Move: If your existing data center can no longer be upgraded to support today’s more efficient (but hotter running and more  energy-thirsty) higher-density deployments, there may be nothing you can do except to move to a new space. This move will likely begin with a  needs assessment/site selection process and will conclude with an eventual build-out of your existing facility or a move to a new building and  site.

Outsource:  Besides moving forward with your own new facility, there are two other options worth consideration:

• Colocation: This means moving your data center into space in a shared facility managed by an appropriate service provider.   As there are a broad range of business models for how these services can be provided (including business liability), it is important to make sure the  specific agreement terms match your short-and-long term needs and (always) take into account the flexibility you require so that your data center  can evolve over its lifespan.

• Cloud computing: The practice of leveraging shared computing and storage resources — and not just the physical  infrastructure of a colocation provider — has been growing rapidly for certain niche-based applications.  While cloud computing has  significant quality-of-service, security and compliance concerns that to date have delayed full enterprise-wide deployment, it can offer compelling  advantages in reducing startup costs, expenses and complexity.

 

Whether you are a small, medium or large business, Insol can provide the IT services that you can depend on and that our customers have come to trust for twenty plus years.   Why be in the technology business when you can hire a trusted partner to maintain your IT?  Visit www.insolnet.com to learn about Insol’s managed IT services or contact us today at 770.458. 8658 or  sales@insolnet.com.

Data Center Definitions and Solutions: http://www.cio.com/article/499671/Data_Center_Definition_and_Solutions

Data Center 411

Posted by Intelligent Network Solutions (Insol) on

Do you have concerns about data centers?  You are not alone.  Below are some of the common concerns.

IT: It is the responsibility of the business’s IT group to make decisions regarding what systems and applications are required to  support the business’ operations.  IT will directly manage those aspects of the data center that relate directly to the IT systems while relying on  facilities to provide for the data center’s power, cooling, access and physical space.

Facilities: The facilities group is generally responsible for the physical space — for provisioning, operations and maintenance,  along with other building assets owned by the company.  The facilities group will generally have a good idea of overall data center efficiency and  will have an understanding of and access to IT load information and total power consumption.

Finance: The finance group will be responsible for aligning near term vs. long term capital expenditures (CAPEX) to acquire or  upgrade physical assets and operating expenses (OPEX) to run them with overall corporate financial operations (balance sheet and cash  flow).

Perhaps the biggest challenge confronting these three groups is that by its very nature a data center rarely will be operating at or even close to  its optimally defined range. With a typical life cycle of 10 years (or perhaps longer), it is essential that the data center’s design remains sufficiently  flexible to support increasing power densities and various degrees of occupancy over a not insignificant period of time. This in-built flexibility should  apply to power, cooling, space and network connectivity. When a facility is approaching its limits of power, cooling and space, the organization  will be confronted by the need to optimize its existing facilities, expand them or establish new ones.

Whether you are a small, medium or large business, Insol can provide the IT services that you can depend on and that our customers have come to trust for twenty plus years.   Why be in the technology business when you can hire a trusted partner to maintain your IT?  Visit www.insolnet.com to learn about Insol’s managed IT services or contact us today at 770.458. 8658 or  sales@insolnet.com.

Data Center Definitions and Solutions: http://www.cio.com/article/499671/Data_Center_Definition_and_Solutions

Data Center 411

Posted by Intelligent Network Solutions (Insol) on

Management of data center system:  Data center management involves participation by IT and facilities and components such as:

IT systems: Servers, storage and network devices must be properly maintained and upgraded. This includes things like operating  systems, securty patches, applications and system resources (memory, storage and CPU).

Monitoring: When a device, connection or application fails, it can take down mission critical operations. Sometimes, one system’s  failure will cascade to applications on other systems that rely on the data or services from the failed unit.  For example, multiple systems, such as  inventory control, credit card processing, accounting and much more will be involved in a complex process such as eCommerce checkout. A  failure in one will compromise all the others. Additionally, modern applications typically have a high degree of device and connection  interdependence. Ensuring maximum uptime requires 24/7 monitoring of the applications, systems and key connections involved in all of an  enterprises various workflows.

Building Management System: For larger data centers, the building management system (BMS) will allow for constant and centralized  monitoring of the facility, including temperature, humidity, power and cooling.

Whether you are a small, medium or large business, Insol can provide the IT services that you can depend on and that our customers have come to trust for twenty plus years.   Why be in the technology business when you can hire a trusted partner to maintain your IT?  Visit www.insolnet.com to learn about Insol’s managed IT services or contact us today at 770.458. 8658 or  sales@insolnet.com.

Data Center Definitions and Solutions: http://www.cio.com/article/499671/Data_Center_Definition_and_Solutions

Data Center 411

Posted by Intelligent Network Solutions (Insol) on

You have heard the term “data center” frequently in the past few years, but what exactly does it mean?  There are several components to a data center.  According to, CIO.com there are four components: (1) white space, (2) support infrastructure, (3) IT equipment, and (4) operations.  Below are the definitions as described by CIO.com.

  1. White space:  This typically refers to the usable raised floor environment measured in square feet (anywhere from a few hundred to a  hundred thousand square feet).  For data centers that don’t use a raised floor environment, the term “white space” may still be used to show usable  square footage.
  2. Support infrastruture:  This refers to the additional space and equipment required to support data center operations — including power transformers, your uninterruptible power source (UPS), generators, computer room air conditioners (CRACs), remote  transmission units (RTUs), chillers, air distribution systems, etc.   In a high-density, Tier 3 class data center (i.e. a concurrently maintainable  facility), this support infrastructure can consume 4-6 times more space than the white space and must be accounted for in data center  planning.
  3. IT equipment:  This includes the racks, cabling, servers, storage, management systems and network gear required to deliver  computing services to the organization.
  4. Operations:  The operations staff assures that the systems (both IT and infrastructure) are properly operated, maintained, upgraded  and repaired when necessary.  In most companies, there is a division of responsibility between the Technical Operations group in IT and the staff  responsible for the facilities support systems.

Whether you are a small, medium or large business, Insol can provide the IT services that you can depend on and that our customers have come to trust for twenty plus years.   Why be in the technology business when you can hire a trusted partner to maintain your IT?  Visit www.insolnet.com to learn about Insol’s managed IT services or contact us today at 770.458. 8658 or  sales@insolnet.com.

Data Center Definitions and Solutions: http://www.cio.com/article/499671/Data_Center_Definition_and_Solutions

Computer Network Services in Atlanta

Posted by Intelligent Network Solutions (Insol) on

Insol provides managed IT services, secure private cloud services, and VoIP service for businesses in the Atlanta area.  We utilize strategic planning and technology to improve IT and reduce costs.  Why be in the technology business when you can hire a trusted partner to maintain your IT?  Insol offers 24/7×365 help desk support and regular site service to all managed services clients.