New innovations like cloud computing have revolutionized how companies access and use data. However, Data centers are still at the core of success in the technology industry. From hybrid cloud environments to traditional data centers, tech companies still need to maximize efficiency.
Data Center efficiency applies to the run-of-the-mill startup closet data hub, as well as Google’s floating data center. Despite size, the following six data center must-haves for efficiency need to be considered by any tech company.
Cyber data breaches are not the only way thieves can access confidential company data and user information. Having a physically secure data center is just as important, and should be part of your overall data security measures.
Physical security not only secures data, but also secures the expensive assets within the facility. After all, an estimated $188 billion is going toward data center development this year alone.
From small tech startups to offsite global company data centers, physical security is a must-have. You can’t keep an efficiently running facility without equipment, and a data breach of any kind can ruin a company.
Monitoring the interactions data center personnel have with equipment is essential. Badge access and entries by employees should be monitored and recorded. Even if personnel from an offsite location visit, they should be held to the same admin IT protocols.
An overseeing entity outside of the IT department should keep records and logs to ensure there is no conflict. This could be the security department, or a department that works with, but not directly within the data center.
Ongoing audits of file resources, networks, and applications should be done. One of the best ways to keep admin protocols a priority for your tech company is to assign specific access to equipment to specific personnel. This gives them ownership over the assets.
Environmental factors within a data center are essential to optimal operations and efficiency. Sure, not all tech companies can purchase state of the art environmental control systems, but you can still be proactive.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends data center temperature be kept between 64 degrees to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius.
Humidity s another major environmental factor you need to control. The ASHRAE suggests humidity be around 50 percent. However, the humidity can range between 20 to 80 percent.
Fire suppression, power distribution, and air flow are also important considerations. For instance, keeping a clean facility can keep foreign particles from polluting servers. Clean equipment is efficient equipment.
To maximize efficiency of your tech company’s data center, whether large or small, management policies need to be in place. These management policies will cover environmental control, system access and use, data retention, and new equipment installation.
For instance, routine checks of equipment mandated by data center policies can identify poor performing equipment. If equipment needs to be removed, hard drives will need to be wiped and recycled in a way to ensure no important data is thrown away or recycled.
Data centers are perpetually scaling for successful tech companies. You may have 20 servers performing tasks like file services, databases, analytics, virtualization, and more. What about next month or next year? Will the 20 servers and supporting equipment be enough?
Always be thinking about scalability, especially when it comes to data center efficiency. You want to have room for expansion. For instance, market research has found growing preference for panel PC, like 2U rack mount PCs.
The availability of floor space in both commercial and industrial facilities is a common issue for data centers. This has caused a widespread adoption of panel PCs to maximize efficiency with scalability at the forefront.
Panel PCs also provide touch screen monitors and enhanced data visualization tasks. This allows personnel to operate, control, and monitor systems more efficiently.
Monitoring data center systems is vital to maximizing efficiency. The uptime and overall health of your systems has value, but there are a variety of other factors that need proactive monitoring.
Bandwidth, storage, rack space, and energy are all important factors that need constant monitoring. In fact, 40 percent of data center costs are accumulated from energy consumption.
How do tech companies get proactive and automate monitoring facility systems? Nagios or Dranetz are two infrastructure and power monitoring solutions. The main aim is to automate monitoring where possible for an efficient data center.
Is Your Data Center Efficient?
Tech companies rely heavily on the data they compile, store, analyze, and more. An efficient data center can streamline nearly all business operations. Regardless if your data center is onsite or in a completely different country, ensure it is efficient, productive, and secure. In the digital era, your business reputation depends on it.
Anurag Choudhari is the co-founder of Geekenized Technologies LLP, a web development & digital marketing agency that helps various SMBs & SMEs in developing & maintaining their online presence.
