Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Lecture 1
Data Center Spaces
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Overview
Data centers can be classified using size or other criteria (e.g., power capacity,
no. of cabinets)
Small: Up to 500 sq. m (5400 sq. ft)
Medium: 500 – 2500 sq. m (5400 – 27,000 sq. ft)
Large: Greater than 2500 sq. m (27,000 sq. ft)
Typical data center space utilization:
Equipment cabinets (30%)
Aisles and clearances between cabinets (30%)
Power and cooling equipment (20%)
Offices and other rooms (20%)
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Ratings (ANSI/TIA-942-B)
The ratings concept was developed to assist in:
Evaluating or classifying existing facilities
Communicating design requirements for new facilities
Four ratings (Rated-1 through Rated-4) to indicate an increasing level of
infrastructure availability, covering a data center’s:
Telecommunications / networking systems (T1 through T4)
Electrical systems (E1 through E4)
Architectural / structural elements (A1 through A4)
Mechanical systems (M1 through M4)
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Rated-1 Data Center: Basic (T1 E1 A1 M1)
Non-critical activities, periodic disruption acceptable
Susceptible to disruptions from both planned and unplanned activity
Single path for power, cooling, and telecommunications / networking
No redundant equipment or components (N)
Generator not required
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Rated-2 Data Center: Redundant Component (T2 E2 A2 M2)
Important activities, occasional disruption acceptable
Less susceptible to disruption from both planned and unplanned activity
Single path for power, cooling, and telecommunications / networking
Includes redundant equipment or components (N+1)
Generator is required
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Rated-3 Data Center: Concurrently Maintainable (T3 E3 A3 M3)
Business-critical activities, infrequent disruption acceptable
Unplanned events may cause disruption
Planned maintenance, testing, or upgrade activity can take place without disrupting operations
Two power, cooling, and telecommunications / networking distribution paths
Sufficient capacity on each path to carry entire load
One active, one standby (N+1)
Each path may or may not include redundant equipment or components (N+1)
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Rated-4 Data Center: Fault Tolerant (T4 E4 A4 M4)
Mission-critical activities, no disruption acceptable
Can sustain at least one worst-case unplanned event on any path at any time with no impact on service
delivery
Multiple power, cooling, and telecommunications / networking distribution paths
Sufficient capacity on each path to carry entire load
Two active at all times (2N or N+N), other(s) standby
Each path may or may not include redundant equipment or components (N+1)
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Spaces — Commercial Building vs. Data Center
Commercial building spaces (side view) Data center spaces (top view)
Telecom circuits ER
Campus cables
WA DR
CP Non-CR support
areas TR
MDA
e.g., Operations Center, offices,
WA DR meeting rooms, lobby
IDA
HDA
HDA
WA DR
ZDA
EDA
EDA
EDA
ER DR
Computer Room (CR)
Telecom circuits
Campus cables
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Guidelines
Standards for data center infrastructure planning and design include guidelines for:
Telecommunications / networking systems
• Equipment, housings, cabling and connectivity
Electrical systems
• Power distribution
Architectural / structural elements
• Layout, building integrity
Mechanical systems
• Thermal management
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Guidelines — Telecommunications / Networking Systems
Standards provide planning and design recommendations for:
Cabling pathways
Racks and cabinets
Network and cabling system topologies
Cable management
Labeling and administration
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Guidelines — Electrical Systems
Standards provide planning and design recommendations for:
Primary (utility) power
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
Standby / backup power
Grounding and lightning protection
Emergency Power Off (EPO)
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Guidelines — Architectural / Structural Elements
Standards provide planning and design recommendations for:
Site selection and security
Parking, generator, and fuel storage areas
Mixed-use or multi-tenant occupancy within building
Building components and construction
Floor loading and ceiling hanging capacity
Concrete slab thickness
Resistance to vibration (e.g., traffic, seismic activity)
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Data Center Infrastructure Design – An Introduction
Guidelines — Mechanical Systems
Standards provide planning and design recommendations for:
Cooling, airflow, and control systems
Fire detection / suppression
Plumbing and leak detection / drainage
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