Kens Korner

Remote Data Center Site Evaluation   Click here to view, print and share a pdf of this article. Before you can assume responsibility for managing a remote data center, you first have to prepare yourself for the newly acquired data center.  Preparation involves getting to know the people and equipment in the new data center, and then fixing problems in...

Tips on Relocating a Data Center   Click here to view, print and share a pdf of this article. Data center relocations, consolidations and reconfigurations are becoming a common occurrence.  Making sure your next move isn’t a painful experience requires a lot of thoughtful planning and precise implementation.  Executing a seamless data center server room move involves coordinating transportation, labor...

Tips on Achieving a Quieter Data Center   Click here to view, print and share a pdf of this article. Everyone is applauding the advances in technology that is allowing data centers to increase the computing power within limited space.  Higher densities translate into more servers, and associated equipment to cool them; Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRAC), and Computer Room...

Why I Like Raised Floors I’m not here to try and tell you that one way is better than the other, when the time came to build our new data centers, raised floors were the only option we seriously considered.  Why?  Raised floors have always been and continue to be the dominant choice in data centers.  As a company, we...

Tips on Selecting Server Cabinets Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in both data center renovations and new construction, and one topic that seems to get little consideration, yet is critical to a data center’s success, is server cabinet selection.  While choosing cabinets to house server equipment may sound like an easy task, there is actually...

Tips on Balancing a Data Centers Budget It happens every year, it did for me, and I’m sure it does for you. Fourth Quarter Budget Surplus  That time when you begin to plan for the next year, while deciding what to do with the current year’s budget surplus. Click here to view, print and share a pdf of this article...

Is Your Data Center Looking Like a Crime Scene? Orange cones and caution tape shouldn’t be the first thing people see when they visit a data center, but it was when I toured a data center just the other day. The data center was recently built and up and running.  Holes had been cut in the raised floor waiting for...

Tips on Avoiding Accidental Emergency Power Off Disconnects Click here to view, print and share a pdf of this article. You spend thousands if not millions of dollars to design and build a data center to ensure continuous uptime, including implementing safety procedures and training programs for people working on site.  You purchase backup power components like N+1 UPS modules...

Raised floor labeling ideas to improve uptime I’ve had people call me obsessive compulsive, anal retentive and other not so flattering names in my data center career, but when it comes to managing a mission critical facility and ensuring continuous uptime, being a little controlling is a good thing. One of my more obsessive traits involved labeling. Most of you...

Communicating Critical Information With most data centers running 7x24, it is important that each team member is aware of problems or issues with critical equipment. This could include what components are on order and their lead times and current vendors called to your site to address specific problems. Even with today's technology (i.e. blackberries, iPhones, etc.) managers and team members...