DataManagement

In Focus: Server Virtualization

 “Share your ‘Tales from the Data Center’ and you could win a Nintendo Wii”

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You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Does this folksy wisdom hold true when it comes to server virtualization? Virtualization is an increasingly popular data center solution that divides the resources of your physical server into multiple isolated virtual environments. Instead of maintaining one application per physical server, virtualization enables dominant workloads to run simultaneously on the same server.Although conventional wisdom tells us that putting all your eggs in one basket is fool-hardy idea, carrying a bunch of baskets around doesn’t seem like a smart solution either. Should you consolidate many physical servers into fewer servers hosting virtual machines or would you be better off maintaining a 1:1 ratio of servers to applications? Deciding which solution is the best for your datacenter depends on a number of factors. To help you weigh your options, here are some pros and cons of server virtualization:

Reasons to Keep Your Eggs in One Basket:
The Benefits of Server VirtualizationCarrying one basket is better than carrying several mostly-empty baskets.
- Virtualization makes better use of datacenter resources by utilizing more of the available capacity on each server, thereby increasing the operational efficiency of your datacenter.

Reasons NOT to Keep Your Eggs in One Basket:
Problems with Server VirtualizationIf you drop your basket, all of the eggs could break.
- With multiple applications hosted on each server, a catastrophic failure in a single server could cripple your operations. The cost of establishing an adequate contingency plan should be factored into your virtualization strategy from the beginning in order to make this datacenter solution effective.

Tips On Peforming a Successful Data Center Relocation

 Before speaking on the topic  of Data Center Relocation, I would like to invite you, our prized blog readers, to share a horror story that has occurred in your own data center. American Power Conversion (APC) is hosting an exciting contest looking for the most horrific and crazy data center tale (or picture). The first place winner will recieve a Nintendo Wii Gaming System, in addition thier will be twenty second place prizes of  the System Specifications and Project Manual for Data Centers (a $250 value!). For more information on how to sign up for APC’s contest, please click here.

Now, back to our topic:Do your tales from the data center sound more like “Tales from the Crypt”? If so, then we definitely want to hear from you. We’re gathering stories and photos for an amusing contest sponsored by American Power Conversion (APC). So share your data center tales of woe with us for fun and prizes.This two-month long contest (Oct-Nov) is your chance to win a great prize by sharing your data center horror stories. You may remain anonymous if you wish, so feel free to spill the beans on the wackiest kludge you’ve ever seen in a data center – it’s okay – we won’t tell on you.

Nobody ever said data center relocation was easy. Although moving mission critical computer and communications equipment from one site to another is no easy task, it needn’t be an overwhelming one. With cautious planning, any company can organize its people, manage the communications, implement a sophisticated design for the new site and move its data center equipment with confidence and simplicity.Months of planning typically go into planning the successful relocation of a data center. By placing an emphasis on pre-design and planning, data center managers and relocation consultants are able to achieve the most favorable solution to meet the demands of even the most complex relocation.If your company is contemplating a data center relocation project, the following tips will help make certain that your IT move goes off without a hitch:

- Invest in pre-planning.
Identify your operational objectives and use them as a reference point in planning. Coordinate with vendors who will be working on the project and include their representatives in your planning sessions. Consider hiring an experienced data center relocation consultant as your guide. - Develop strategies that minimize risk and maximize ROI.
Explore the backup and recovery options for your mission critical systems. Take current and future needs into consideration while designing the data center at your new site.- Take stock of data center equipment.
Data center relocations offer the perfect opportunity to replace outdated or faulty equipment with state-of-the-art hardware. Don’t spend valuable time and money moving equipment that won’t last.

- Establish an appropriate relocation plan.
Integrate redundancies into your IT network. Alert business users to potential service disruptions. Review the relocation strategy with vendors, consultants, and other special participants before moving ahead.By keeping these points in mind, your company can diminish relocation-related downtime while streamlining the overall data center moving method.Pete

Keeping The Data Center Tidy

One of the most important services to implement when performing data center maintenance, is regularly scheduled site cleanings to help keep the data center environment free of dust, dirt and other particulates that can harm your operating systems and create health risks for employees. Particulates circulating within a data center can accumulate and interfere with electronics causing a variety of potential problems, including media errors and data loss. A good rule of thumb is to schedule data center cleanings on a quarterly basis, or when particulate counts exceed the standards set by ISO 14644-8 or ISO 14644-9. By sticking to this cleaning routine, companies optimize the performance of data center equipment while cutting down on the cost of repairs. When you compare the cost of regular cleaning sessions to the total financial investment in your data center, it’s an ingenious buy. Choosing a Data Center Cleaning ServiceDon’t grab the swifter and vacuum just yet. While it’s good to clean both houses and data centers on a regular basis, that’s where most of the similarities end. Cleaning a data center is a delicate process that requires the services of highly-trained professionals who know how to safely handle mission critical equipment. To help you select the right cleaning service, here are some tips:

• Check the company’s references. In addition to the quality of the service, you want to make sure the company has experience dealing with facilities that are similar to your own.
• Makes sure the company is insured for damages caused during the cleaning process. If an accident occurs, are you protected?
• Evaluate the experience and training of the cleaning crew. For instance, are they trained to provide services per the requirements of Federal Standard 209e?
• Review the company’s cleaning methods to see if they use HEPA filtration vacuums and chemicals that are safe for use with electronics systems.
• Be clear about your expectations for the service and establish parameters for cleaning. Will the technicians move equipment? Will they clean the sub-floor or above each rack? Are certain areas off-limits? What’s included in the service?
• Look for a cleaning service that offers availability that meets your needs. In addition to yearly cleanings, will they be available for daily maintenance activities or in the event of an emergency?

Pete 

In Focus: Dim vs. Dark Data Centers

When comparing a Dim Data Center to a Dark Data Center the obvious and clear solution would be to opt for a dark data center design which can be described as a remotely monitored IT environment, in which computer systems analyze and correct problems with minimal human involvement. To achieve a completely dark data center, your IT infrastructure, support infrastructure, and software systems need to be independent. The majority of companies are nowhere near this point and most data centers will never be able to run without any human interaction, but technology is quickly taking us closer to this design goal. In contrast, a more realistic and attainable approach would be a Dim Data Center design, a highly sought-after solution for IT professionals and users.  Although the dark data center is still a dream, the dim data center is a pleasant reality. Cutting the human element entirely out of the picture may be out of our current reach, but you can decrease foot traffic and the number of unmanaged changes within your data center. The dim data center approach focuses more on preventative maintenance than on imprudent problem solving. The most efficient dim data center designs are secure, can independently troubleshoot most problems, can be managed remotely, and employ processes and procedures to control the who, what, where, and when’s of the events taking place within the space . 

Many of the daily problems that affect data centers have less to do with the design of a facility and more to do with variables induced by human contribution. For most data centers, not only does the IT staff have access to the facility. Facility staff, other employees, outside consultants, contractors, and mechanics may enter the data center for a plethora of reasons. As human traffic increases within the data center, so do the risks, amount of clutter, and the number of potential technical problems. Despite expert design and planning, people do not always follow preset procedures and may meddle with equipment that they are not qualified to use. This is a nightmare for IT professionals. The mistakes are difficult to trace and consume business’ money and the time of its IT staff. Cutting the human element entirely out of the picture may be out of our present reach, but you can reduce foot traffic and the number of unmanaged changes within your data center.

Pete

Hot-Aisle/Cold-Aisle Containment & Fire-Code Issues

Tech Target journalist, Mark Fontecchio, asked me to speak on the topic of Hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment and how it stokes fire-code issues. In a summary, Hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment is a way for data centers to isolate hot and cold air streams so they don’t mix with one another and cause energy inefficiencies. In the process of mixing these air streams it is very easy to violate the numerous fire codes that require detection and prevention devices throughout the room. I told Mark that in short, there is no good fire suppression methodology for inside rack containment systems. For that purpose, coupled with temperature variance in a hot aisle, we choose to do it in different ways.  One of the major things I stressed to Mark and to any facilities manager is to always be in compliance with your local fire inspector, because if they conduct an inspection, see something they weren’t notified about and don’t like it, they could shut you down. Many people deploy these systems in ignorance of the law. Many people do it and manufacturers are manufacturing the pieces, but the local inspector is the final authority. If the local inspector doesn’t realize what’s going on, the whole job might not be compliant, which will cost you major bucks to rectify.

To view the full article, click here

 Pete