The concept of a modular data center solution has eluded definition, if not comprehension. Through the short history of modular solutions and vendor marketing, a definition and categorization of solutions has emerged. This is the second article in the series, DCK Guide to Modular Data Centers.
The user landscape has evolved beyond the standard PC or even laptop. Now, users are deploying numerous different devices all requiring access to a central infrastructure. IT consumerization and BYOD has created a new type of user where mobility and virtualization play a vital role in productivity. In deploying new types of mobility and virtualization solutions, administrators must consider the underlying infrastructure as well as the all-important end-user experience.
Data centers today require more throughputs, more bandwidth and more resources to continue to deliver the type of performance required to maintain optimal business operations. As more demands have been placed on the data center, administrators have turned to fiber solutions to help them obtain the...
Virtualization, cloud computing, and a distribute infrastructure has greatly increased the demand for data center bandwidth. More information and data is being passed through high-density servers and there has become a direct need for 10GbE network bandwidth capabilities. Why is this important?
This is the fifth article in a best practices series on data center energy efficiency through effective airflow management strategies. When considering containment providers and their solutions, make sure to do your due diligence.
This is the forth article in a best practices series on data center energy efficiency through effective airflow management strategies and focuses on data center containment components and considerations.
Legacy data centers employ a hot aisle/cold aisle arrangement of the IT racks. The fronts of the racks face each other and draw cold air into the rack to cool rack mounted IT devices (i.e. servers, switches, etc.). Conversely, the rear sides of the rows of racks face one another, expelling the hot air into the hot aisle. The issue with hot aisle/cold aisle designs is that the air is free to move wherever it will.
In an effort to create a more efficient data center infrastructure, IT and facilities administrators began working with hot air containment. Today, this more common practice is used in the industry as a design metric for a well-managed data center. Still, there are some questions around the use of air containment and how it can be best utilized. Since each data center is unique, the use of a containment design will differ based on demand, size, location, and other factors.
One of the fastest growing data center markets is the one revolving around green technologies. Rising fuel and cooling costs have forced many leading data center providers to switch to more efficient, green technologies. Currently, there are many data center providers offering “green” solutions....
In the data center realm, maximizing the energy efficiency without impacting the reliability should be the goal of virtually every data center owner or operator. The path to that goal involves some basic design and practices issues, as well as more sophisticated methodologies.
Every day, IT, business, and facilities managers in large enterprises must face the multitude of challenges associated with the operation of a data center. It is imperative that these managers understand the many developments that impact their approach to management both day to day and over time. For this reason, Data Center Knowledge has partnered with Nemertes Research to create the Data Center Knowledge Enterprise Channel with the goal of providing data center managers with the strategies, tips, and knowledge they need to stay informed in a business that is changing every day.
