The considerations necessary when putting together an office space are one thing, but a data center comes with a whole new set of problems. However, once you’ve looked at all the angles and have a solid plan, a data center can thrive for years. Here’s what to think about when setting up a data center.
Allow for Growth
You shouldn’t only build what you need when it comes to a data center; your business may want to expand in the coming years. Allow for expansions of floor space, power requirements, cooling, and server space. Think ahead will save you a lot of time and money in renovations in the future.
Ensure Proper Cooling
Cooling should be your top priority when you’re designing a new data center. Without proper cooling, your servers will quickly overheat, causing total server failure. Traditional air cooling is energy-intensive but a reliable way to cool down your center. Water cooling is far more efficient, however. Building your data center near a large water source is very helpful if you go this route.
Physical Security Measures
Keeping your data secure from hackers is essential, but don’t neglect to take physical security measures as well. Ensure that only authorized personnel can access the building, and implement locking server racks and additional authorization checks throughout your facility to protect the data properly.
Investing in a camera and monitoring system is an excellent preventative measure and a source of evidence, should anything go amiss.
Disaster Preparedness
Geography plays a significant role in building a data center, as well. For example, don’t build a data center near a fault line, and consider seismic safety if the area is prone to even mild earthquakes. Depending on your location, you may also want to think about flood preparedness, especially as more and more areas become prone to higher water levels.
Now that you know what to think about when setting up a data center, you can rest assured that your servers are getting the best protection and future-proofing possible.
