Initiatives
Flip That Data Center
by Gordon Essary - Manager, Data Center
The TTUHSC Data Center has remained relatively unchanged since the early 1980's. What had started out as an environment for a few large mainframe computers was now home to over one hundred servers of varying configurations and form factors. As with many Data Centers, form had given way to function over the years and the structure had become very piecemeal. In order to provide the Institution with a facility that would support current and future data needs, the challenge of bringing the Data Center up to a modern level began.
Electrical Upgrade
By June 2006, the Data Center was running at full electrical capacity. New systems could not be brought online without additional electrical capacity.
The IT Division is working with Physical Plant to install additional electrical circuits and splitting up the two Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) devices that are currently in use, as well as, installing a third backup UPS in the coming months. Once the work is complete, the Data Center will, effectively, double the amount of power available to better support current and future equipment expansion needs.
Cabling Infrastructure
The existing Data Center configuration has all network and power cables run under the raised flooring. This mixing of cable restricts the airflow from the cooling systems, causing interference with the data stream and makes maintenance a real nightmare. Additionally, it exposes the cabling to an increased risk of damage from water leaks.
Overhead data cable management has been installed throughout the Data Center and all data cabling is now contained in the overhead cable runways. The only cabling contained under the raised flooring now are power cables and a small amount of data cabling for the smoke and water sensors.
Flooring
The raised flooring tiles in the Data Center were originally covered with carpeting, which came loose over the years. This is a hazard to both personnel and servers due to the uneven nature of the carpet itself and the carpet fibers and dust that were being drawn into the equipment. Additionally, in times of low humidity the carpet contributed to static electricity. Vents placed in the raised floor tile were few and far between and of varying effectiveness. No clear hot or cold zones had been defined.
As part of the Data Center upgrade, the flooring tiles have been replaced with high-pressure laminate (HPL) tile, thus, eliminating the problem of carpet fibers and carpet dust accumulating in and around the equipment. This greatly reduced the chances of damage due to static electricity. The new perforated tiles are better able to target cooling, creating very distinct hot and cold zones that correspond to the air intake and exhaust of the racked servers.
New Equipment Rack Enclosures
Existing equipment racks have been a mix of configurations. Power distribution within the racks was a mix of input and output voltage and amperage. The non-standard configurations gave a very haphazard appearance to the server racks.
New equipment rack enclosures of standard configuration have been installed throughout the Data Center. Power requirements both outside and inside the enclosures have been standardized and are designed to efficiently distribute power throughout the Data Center. These changes have greatly improved the aesthetics of the Data Center.
Other Upgrades Planned
Within the calendar year, the IT Division will upgrade Data Center security and add a secondary fire suppression and cooling system. Once these final upgrades are in place, TTUHSC will have a Data Center that is greatly enhanced to support growth and serve Institutional needs well into the future.