Data center design and facilities
Data center design includes continuous power and cooling for IT equipment, site security and energy use. Data center facilities are specialized for a task and must operate in concert with the IT organization. New trends in data center design and construction include modular and containerized builds, as well as DCIM to track energy use.
Top Stories
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Opinion
20 Mar 2023
App modernization, mainframe, microservices: IBM event recap
At the recent IBM Infrastructure Analyst Event, IBM announced advances in IBM zSystems for AI, app architecture and other areas to help businesses achieve their goals. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Mar 2023
Will data centers become obsolete?
Many organizations want to simplify or scale down their data centers -- but they won't disappear. Admins can examine as-a-service options and cloud to offload some applications. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Dec 2014
What's the best way to measure data center airflow?
You can't measure airflow from raised floor tiles in the same way as any other air duct. Optimize data center airflow with the right tools. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2014
In-rack and in-row cooling options for any data center
Say no to CRAC and consider more selective data center cooling options. In-rack and in-row cooling systems are efficient and optimally dispel heat. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Aug 2014
What to do when UPS sizing goes wrong
UPS sizing is hard, with confusing terminology and an ever-shifting IT load. If you get the calculations wrong, don't worry about a Michael Bay movie scene in the data center. Here's what to do when UPS is too wimpy or too beefy for the task. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2014
Does data center size matter in virtualization, DCIM decisions?
Are you big enough to take advantage of DCIM or virtualization for the power and cost savings? When it comes to certain moves, size is an advantage. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jun 2014
Controversial hot aisle containment practices
Is your hot aisle too hot for OSHA? New data center trends are causing concern. You might need to adapt to adhere to the law. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 May 2014
What's the highest server temperature you can handle?
There's no correct inlet air temperature for all servers. Age, performance and design help determine how much heat your server can handle. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jan 2014
What should you do with old servers and outdated data center equipment?
Complications arise when replacing nonfunctional data center equipment. Decide what to do with the old equipment and how to handle retrofits. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Dec 2013
How outdated practices harm data center grounding systems
Isolated grounds are a solution lacking a problem. In fact, isolated grounds create problems for data center cabinet power and add expense all around. Continue Reading
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Photo Story
09 Dec 2013
Your data lives where?! Strange and secure data center locations
In these data center pictures, tour barges, former mines and oil rigs. Sometimes a strange location makes the most sense for a secure data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2013
Major changes in data center fire suppression standards NFPA 75 and 76
Fire standard changes can add a lot of work and expense to a data center operator's job, but the updates to NFPA 75 and 76 address real safety risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2013
Physical building properties to evaluate during server room design
Does your server room have space to grow? What's the best mechanical system for it? Start with these questions to develop a good server room design. Continue Reading
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Quiz
22 Mar 2013
Quiz: New methods for cooling data centers
Think you know everything about cooling data centers? Test your knowledge by taking this quiz on modern cooling techniques. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2012
Three questions on ASHRAE standards for data centers
Evolving ASHRAE standards for temperature and humidity allow data center owners to save money on power and cooling demands. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2012
Green from the ground up
There are many ways to reduce energy costs in the data center. See our feature on a few innovative gems employed by the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke, Mass. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2012
Does UPS maintenance go to IT or the facilities management team?
The UPS is the last line of defense for keeping your data center alive, but does its care fall to the facilities management team or IT? Continue Reading
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Answer
23 Feb 2012
FM-200 systems: What data center managers need to know
Get the lowdown on using FM-200 systems for data center fire suppression, and whether or not they're a good choice for your company. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2012
Five questions on data center environmental monitoring
Our expert explains how to maintain ideal conditions for your server room using data center environmental monitoring tools and techniques. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2011
Data center design and build-out
Learn how to establish a strong foundation for your data center construction project. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Nov 2011
Avoiding single point of failure design flaws
Redundancy can help a data center avoid downtime, but sometimes hidden flaws in the electrical design can still create a single point of failure. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2011
Best practices for maintaining a data center CRAC unit
A CRAC unit failure could often have been avoided through preventive maintenance and correctly sizing cooling infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2011
Considering a raised floor in the data center
Tile material, strength and durability are important factors to consider when selecting and installing a raised floor in a data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2011
Selecting raised floors, panels for the data center
Choosing raised floor panels capable of supporting the weight of data center equipment cabinets requires taking a close look at strength ratings and manufacturers’ claims. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2011
Data center design standards for cabinet and floor loading
The weight of today’s racks and equipment cabinets can stress floor structures, making it crucial to consider floor loading requirements in your data center design. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2011
Best practices for backup power maintenance
Testing generators and inspecting batteries are just part of maintaining a backup power system that can help prevent unexpected data center downtime. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Mar 2011
Using DCIM tools to monitor data center power
Although DCIM tools include many capabilities for monitoring data center power and facilitating data center management, you should know their associated costs before implementing projects. Continue Reading
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Quiz
04 Mar 2011
Data center design and infrastructure classroom 101 quiz
This brief quiz on data center design and infrastructure tests your knowledge of server virtualization technology, virtualization deployment and hardware considerations for a virtual environment. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2010
Data center EPO vulnerability fixed in 2011 National Electrical Code
Data centers are no longer required to put the big red kill-switch on exit doors, thanks to a committee that convinced the NFPA to revisit its data center EPO regulation. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2010
Calculating carbon emissions in the data center
While data center carbon measurement is in its infancy and lacks hard standards, it still may benefit IT admins to know basic methods for calculating carbon emissions as carbon legislation begins impacting data centers. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jun 2010
Bus track and busway power distribution: Power anywhere?
Bus track and busway power distribution in the data center is a growing trend that allows for greater flexibility and accommodation of rising power densities. This in-depth exploration of bus-type power systems will help you decide whether this is a good option for your data center power infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
17 May 2010
Data center energy efficiency guide
In an already troubled economy, IT managers face growing energy costs and surging data center carbon emissions. In this all-inclusive guide, learn how to improve data center energy efficiency through methods such as maximizing server efficiency and energy-efficient cooling. Continue Reading
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Quiz
23 Apr 2010
Quiz: Data center energy efficiency trends
Take this quiz on data center energy efficiency, and find out how much you know about cutting costs and saving power at your company. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2010
Hot aisle / cold aisle containment in pictures
Hot aisle /cold aisle containment is fast becoming a popular way to make a data center more efficient. This slideshow demonstrates some implementations of the data center design. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Oct 2009
Sizing computer room air conditioners for data center energy efficiency
Choosing a right-sized computer room air conditioner (CRAC) is crucial to data center energy efficiency, but there are many variables to consider. Learn more about data center air conditioning design, maintaining humidity levels and temperature, and managing air flow to determine the best CRAC for your facility. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Aug 2009
How to choose the right uninterruptible power supply for your data center
This tip discusses how to choose the right-sized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your data center. It also explains common mistakes in UPS sizing and why UPS power ratings can be so confusing. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2009
Avoid common pitfalls when calculating data center power load
For data center pros trying to size an air conditioning system or UPS, accurately estimating data center power load is critical. But there are many common pitfalls to avoid. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2009
Air flow management strategies for efficient data center cooling
To achieve efficient data center cooling, you must reduce your facility's air flow waste. In this tip, an expert outlines air flow management strategies and best practices that can improve data center air flow, including the installation of blanking panels, raised-floor tiles and hot-aisle/cold-aisle design. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2009
Optimizing server energy efficiency
Reducing data center energy consumption is a hot topic in the IT industry, but server energy efficiency has only recently become a focus of discussion. Improving server efficiency means optimizing the main components that impact a server's overall power consumption: power supply, fans, CPU, memory, hard drives, I/O cards and ports, and supporting chipsets. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2008
CRG West preps data centers for cloud computing customers
A data center services provider executive tells us about his company's approach to cloud computing. He addresses scalability, latency and cooling issues when implementing a cloud infrastructure. Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2008
ViaWest data centers go green, which makes dollars and cents
ViaWest has proven that building a data center with virtualized servers, careful hot/cold-aisle design, renewable wind power and scheduled thermal analysis reviews is not only fantastically green, but also cost-effective. Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2008
EU launches Code of Conduct for Data Centers
The European Union has announced a strict new code for data center energy conservation in order to fight global warming. This places the EU further ahead of the US on energy conservation policy. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2008
Improving data center cooling capacity with chilled water plants
With a chilled-water plant, you can improve your data center cooling capacity and possibly prevent more drastic measures, such as having to build a new facility. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2008
A peek at Power Loft's high-density data center
Power Loft is building a colocation facility specializing in high-density data center space, with final plans of 300 Watts per square foot, or 10 kW/rack. The company is constructing a 200,000 square foot facility in Manassas, Virginia, which is scheduled for completion in Q12009. The new facility is LEED-certified with a green roof and waterside economizers for power cost savings. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2008
Server cabinet air velocities increasing
The velocity of air coming out the back of server cabinets in 2003 was just a few feet. In 2007, it was more than 12 feet, and Future Facilities estimates that it will be around 25 feet in five years. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2008
Drawbacks to hot/cold aisle containment
Containing hot and cold aisles in the data center can add up to high-cost installations, not to mention retrofits. The issue of sprinkler installation is one area in which the efforts to containment can cause unexpected additional cost in order to be compliant with fire codes. Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2008
Creating standards for data center energy monitoring: ASHRAE and Green Grid collaborate
ASHRAE and The Green Grid recently partnered together, which will allow them to write white papers and books together and create a standard set of tools and guidelines about energy use for data center managers. Their first collaborative effort is a new book, Real-time power consumption measurements for data centers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2008
Save energy: Manage server power utilization
August 27, 2008 was "Power IT Down Day," and Hewlett-Packard, Citrix and Intel joined forces to ask PC users to install power management software to decrease power consumption of machines when idle. While the sponsors stressed PC power managment, others responded by emphasizing server power management as a much bigger issue. Data center managers are getting proactive on this front, with 33% reporting that they have installed power management software this year compared to 18% in 2007. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jun 2008
Uninterruptible power supply load bus synchronization: Yes or no?
Should you consider paying the additional cost of a Load Bus Synchronization system for your uninterruptible power supply? Data center experts Syska Hennessy weigh in. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jun 2008
Selecting a general contractor: Data center construction runbook, Chapter 3
When you're building a new data center, it pays to bring the general contractor onboard early, rather than bidding out the process and ending up with unqualified subcontractors on your project. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2008
Data center cooling optimization in the virtualized-server world
How many hamburgers can you cook on a blade server? If your servers are literally cooking there are a variety of systems to consider to keep your equipment cool. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jan 2008
Do dual-power supply servers increase redundancy?
Implementing servers with dual power supplies is a common practice in mission-critical environments. But improper implementation can result in a false sense of power redundancy. This tip explains what can go wrong in your data center. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Oct 2007
Data center cooling and humidity control: CRAC or AHU?
Data center physical environment expert Robert McFarlane discusses the best temperature and humidity control choices for a reader's data center. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Sep 2007
Data center facility control systems
Data centers are mission-critical environments with serious consequences for failure, but many employ the same commercial-style control systems as office buildings. Contributor Steve Blaine discusses why data centers can benefit from industrial PLC/SCADA control systems. Continue Reading
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Quiz
12 Mar 2007
Data center design and infrastructure final exam
This quiz tests knowledge about data center design, site selection, power and cooling and other material related to the data center's physical infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Quiz
06 Mar 2007
Data center facilities all-in-one-guide: Final exam answers
Here are the answers to the SearchDataCenter.com's all-in-one-guide on data center facilities. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Feb 2007
Do dual-corded servers connected to separate uninterruptible power supplies draw power from both?
Dual-corded servers are intended to share the load from UPS systems for overload protection. But do they really work? Expert Robert Macfarlane discusses dual-corded equipment and why data center managers need to be careful when shopping for them. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2007
What is the minimum ceiling height in a data center?
Assessing appropriate ceiling height in the data center can be tricky. It depends on, obviously, how much space you have to work with and factors such as your fire suppression system and cabling. Expert Robert Macfarlane offers some advice. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Jun 2006
NFPA 75: Raised floor fire protection
Utilizing separate suppression 'zones' for both above floor and sub-floor spaces is a common practice in areas where the subfloor contains a significant hazard/fuel load. Continue Reading
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Answer
18 Jul 2005
Data center raised floors and ceiling height
In this question, Bob McFarlane explains the benefits and drawbacks to different data center designs pertaining to cooling and airflow. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2005
Cooler Nocona processors to power IBM blade servers
IBM plans to start powering blade servers with low voltage Nocona processors. Chips with the Nocona core consume about 55 watts, little more than half of the 103 watts consumed by the regular Xeon. Continue Reading