| Title : The Difference Between Data Centers and Computer R |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The differences between a data center and a computer room are often misunderstood. Furthermore, the terms used to describe the location where companies provide a secure, power protected, and environmentally controlled space are often used inappropriately. This paper provides a basis for understanding the differences between these locations and how they relate to each other.
Data Center Function
The functional requirements of any data center space are fourfold:
1. To provide a safe and secure place to locate mission critical equipment
2. To provide sufficient power protection to maintain the critical load
3. To provide adequate environmental controls, including cooling and fire safety, to operate the space within the critical loads operating parameters
4. To provide communications connectivity both inside and outside the space
Data Center Philosophy
The goal of any data center is to provide continuous availability of all network services. Therefore, whether discussing the network design strategy or the facility design strategy the overall philosophy remains the same:
Keep it as simple as possible
Design for scalability
Utilize modularity wherever possible
Be flexible and adaptable to change
Data Center Description
The term ‘data center’ is used ubiquitously to describe the space(s) serving as the operating theatre for the enterprise’s network service delivery. It has also been described by many other names including computer room, datacenter (spelled incorrectly), data centre (European), server room, network room, network closet, telecommunications room and so on.
The most common differentiator between describing your space as a data center and calling it a computer room tends to be scale. However, the official delineator is how the space’s functional pieces are put together. The term ‘data center’ is the description given when the entire site and building shell are utilized exclusively as a data center site. Therefore, a data center can be described as a larger space composed of smaller spaces including:
Computer Room(s)
Telecommunications Room(s)
Entrance Room(s)
Network Operations Center
Electrical Room(s)
Mechanical Room(s)
War Room Conference Room(s)
Staging Area, Storage, and Loading Dock
People Spaces - Common Areas & General Office Spaces
Typically, the ratio of IT space to support space has declined to about 1:1 as compaction has emerged and developed as a trend in the industry.
From this description it is obvious that a ‘computer room’ is a functional space within a ‘data center’. Interestingly enough, both spaces are described as places to secure information systems, technology data, and infrastructure.
Typical Data Center Topology
The typical data center includes a single entrance room, one or more telecommunications rooms, one main distribution area, and several horizontal distribution areas.
Data Center Systems and Sub-Systems
The following are just some of the major systems and sub-systems that make up any data center location:
Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure
Network & Network Security Equipment
Voice & Data Communications Equipment
Server & Data Storage Equipment
Support Infrastructure
Switchgear & Power Distribution
Generator ATS
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) & Energy Storage
Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRAC)
Heat Exchangers
Fire Detection
Fire Suppression
Lighting
Leak detection
Structured Cabling
Backbone Cabling
Horizontal Cabling
Main Cross-connect (MC)
Horizontal Cross-connect (HC)
Zone ports or consolidation points
Equipment ports
Station ports
Architectural Elements
Raised Floor
Suspended Ceiling
Surface Treatments
Vapor Barrier
Doors and Hardware
Cabinets & Racks
To read the rest of this white paper, please visit [site]www.ptsdcs.comPTS_White_Paper_1.asp.
About the Author:
Pete Sacco is the founder and President of PTS Data Center Solutions, Inc. (PTS). Pete has a BSEE and has been involved in the data center computer room for over 10 years.
About PTS Data Center Solutions:
PTS Data Center Solutions is a data center design and consulting services firm and turnkey solutions provider.
We offer a broad range of project expertise. We specialize in planning, designing, constructing, monitoring, and maintaining computer rooms that integrate, ‘best-of-breed’, critical infrastructure technologies. The result is an in always available, scalable, redundant, fault-tolerant, manageable, and maintainable data center environment.
In today's hyper-competitive markets, where you measure network downtime in lost profits, PTS protects against of some of the leading causes of downtime, hardware damage, data loss and decreased productivity. PTS sets the standard for ‘always available’ solutions for data centers, computer rooms, server room, network closets, telecommunications rooms, network operations centers, and other mission critical facilities.
From our corporate headquarters in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and our office in Orange County, California, PTS works to fulfill our mission of creating satisfied customers by emphasizing pre-design & planning services to provide the optimal solution to meet our clients’ needs. This results in an early & accurate alignment between scope, schedule and budget.
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