What is a data center?
Data centers are simply centralized locations where computing and networking equipment is concentrated for the purpose of collecting, storing, processing, distributing or allowing access to large amounts of data. They have existed in one form or another since the advent of computers.
In the days of the room-sized behemoths that were our early computers, a data center might have had one supercomputer. As equipment got smaller and cheaper, and data processing needs began to increase -- and they have increased exponentially -- we started networking multiple servers (the industrial counterparts to our home computers) together to increase processing power. We connect them to communication networks so that people can access them, or the information on them, remotely. Large numbers of these clustered servers and related equipment can be housed in a room, an entire building or groups of buildings. Today's data center is likely to have thousands of very powerful and very small servers running 24/7.
Three approached to Data Center
(A) A data center is a center for the storage and processing of information that customers interact with online through media such as tape and disk. This definition goes back to the 60's and coincided with the emergence of large computers.
(B) a data center is part of any organization where computers and data storage, backup and data processing services are held. This definition refers to the 80's and the emergence of small computers.
(C) a data center is a center for the maintenance, processing and provision of services under information and Internet networks that host the servers and services of various organizations. This definition was reinforced by the development of networks in the 1990s.
Objectives of data center creation
All data centers, in spite of the variety of services and missions they are designed for, should generally accomplish the following four major objectives:
1. Providing a safe environment for valuable equipment
2. Providing enough electric power in critical situations
3. Providing a suitable physical environment by controlling the cold, fire etc.
4. Providing a communication platform for connecting to the outside and inside.
The following two standards are currently used for the construction and operation of Datasenter:
TIA942
ANSI/BICSI 002-201
TIA-942
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) ANSI/TIA-942-A Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers is an American National Standard (ANS) that specifies the minimum requirements for structured cabling work defined in TIA/EIA-568, and is often cited by companies such as ADC Telecommunications and Cisco SystemsThe standard was updated with an addendum ANSI/TIA-942-A-1 in April 2013 from the TR-42.1 Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling Subcommittee, the formulating group that oversees development of the standard. The Telecommunications Industry Association does not offer certification programs or certify compliance to TIA standards. In many cases, there are other organizations and consultants that can provide those services. However, TIA does not certify these organizations or consultants. This is similar to how organizations like ISO operate where they rely on Certification Bodies to ensure that there is oversight over organizations performing such activities.
On October 15, 2015, the TIA TR-42.1 Subcommittee voted to start the revision process of ANSI/TIA-942-A. The standard will undergo updates during 2016. The new version of ANSI/TIA-942 which will be labelled as ANSI/TIA-942-B is slated for release in July 2017.
The ANSI/TIA-942-A specification references private and public domain data center requirements for applications and procedures such as:
Network architecture
Electrical design
File storage, backup and archiving
System redundancy
Network access control and security
Database management
Web hosting
Application hosting
Content distribution
Environmental control
Protection against physical hazards (fire, flood, windstorm)
Power management
mohsen hakimi, [۱۸.۰۸.۱۹ ۱۳:۰۳]
Physical Conditions Required For A Secure Data Center
Data Center Area and Dimensions
When selecting a datacenter location, consider how much space the servers, racks, and devices such as generators and emergency power supplies need to accommodate, because costs such as ventilation and aerospace equipment would be up if space is exceeded. And if the space is less than needed then the development costs will sometimes be higher than a new location.
Data Center Spaces
In a data center, spaces are divided by standards and can include:
Entrance space
Public and office space
Main server room
Control room and support
Telecommunication data entry and output dockets and locations
If necessary, the tower predicts its height and location
Battery room and emergency power equipment
Location of outdoor and indoor ventilation equipment
Location of generator
Fire suppression tanks
Generator fuel tank (with proper distance and safety tips)
Equipment loading location
Parking lot or entrance area for trucks carrying equipment
Data Center location
In order to determine the location of the data center apart from the strategic constraints, the permissible distance of the data center to other sites should also be considered. These standard distances are as follows:
* Distance to airport
According to TIA942, the distance to the airport is less than one kilometer, while the BICSI standard is 8 to 48 kilometers.
* Distance to railway
The TIA942 standard defines this distance as less than one kilometer, but in the BICSI standard it is 1.6 km.
* Distance to military centers
In the TIA942 standard this distance is less than one kilometer and in the BICSI standard the distance is 13 kilometers.
* Distance to gas station
Not defined in TIA942 at BICSI 1.6Km
* Distance to highway
At TIA942 this distance is 800 meters and at BICSI 1.6Km
* Distance with high pressure lines
Not defined in TIA942 at BICSI 1.6Km
* Distance to power plant
It varies depending on the type of fuel.
Distance to diesel or fossil fuel power plants not defined in TIA942 at BICSI 1.6Km
The following should also be considered when selecting a data center location:
1- Having specialized human resources within the habitable zone or easy access to all weather conditions, night and day or even emergency situations
2- Determine the required primary and backup electrical energy sources and examine the availability of the surrounding power plants
3. Check for high-capacity lifts to move equipment such as UPS and battery cabinets.
