Data has now gained prominence in the digital world – everyone wants to store and process it! As such, data centers play a significant role in ensuring that the information is not just reliably stored but accessible as well. However, the design of a data center can often be restrictive.
The typical data center sees multiple server racks, many cables, and generally a high-energy draw. There are some practical considerations that architecture for any data center must adhere to – as a preliminary step in making a reliable center.
Here is a deeper dive into these requirements:
Backup Energy Plans
The most important consideration in any data center is the possibility of a power cut. Data centers create an immense demand of electricity. While the local grid can usually provide, chances of failure are never 0. If a data center goes offline, organizations and individuals all over the world lose access to information they urgently need!
Architects plan for this possibility by integrating contingency measures. This actualizes in the form of redundant power sources. Heavy-duty generators and an uninterruptible power supply can power a data center in case of a power disruption. Alternatively, a focus on sustainable, on-site renewable energy can also be considered. A solar farm on the roof can not only reduce costs but also bring down reliance on the grid.
Focus on Cooling
The immense draw of energy proportionately translates into immense generation of heat. This is natural of not just a data center but any computing part. A data center at scale must factor in cooling into each step, from the individual component to the entire server room. This is an exercise in safety, as inadequate cooling is a fire hazard!
Strategy is important in cooling. From fans, and appropriate ventilation, to liquid cooling systems, architects can integrate cooling in various combinations.
Modularity and Flexibility
A data center must be competitive to offer its clientele something unique. Anyone can put a bunch of server racks in a room and call it a day. What makes a ‘data center’ is the sheer focus on efficiency, modularity, and flexibility.
Firstly, efficiency comes from making wise use of the same footprints. In this case, cooling strategies and cutting-edge technology combine to stack more components in the same space. Secondly, modular designs are a method of future-proofing the data center, as new technologies can easily be integrated and tested without disrupting daily operations. Finally, flexibility in terms of layout and resource allocation ensures resources are used wisely and never wasted!
The practical requirements of a data center inherently dictate an efficient, future-proof, and competitive data center. This is where skilled Stendel + Reich data center architecture can bring such a location to fruition.
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