Data Center Facilities
Expert-defined terms from the Certified Professional in Principles of Data Centers course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Ability to Operate refers to the capacity of a data center facility to function… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as uptime, availability, and redundancy. Data center facilities must be designed to operate efficiently, with adequate power and cooling systems, to ensure the smooth functioning of IT equipment.
Accessibility is a critical factor in data center design, referring to the ease… #
This concept is related to terms such as physical security, cabling, and layout planning. Data center facilities must be designed to allow for easy access to IT equipment, with wide aisles and clear labeling, to facilitate maintenance and reduce downtime.
Air Conditioning refers to the systems used to control the temperature and humid… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as cooling, heating, and ventilation. Data center facilities require reliable air conditioning systems to maintain optimal operating conditions for IT equipment.
ASHRAE is an acronym that stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerat… #
This term is related to concepts such as thermal management, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Data center facilities must be designed and operated in accordance with ASHRAE guidelines to ensure optimal performance and minimal environmental impact.
Availability refers to the degree to which a data center facility is able to ope… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as uptime, downtime, and redundancy. Data center facilities must be designed to operate with high availability, with multiple systems and backup power sources, to ensure the smooth functioning of IT equipment.
Backup Power refers to the systems used to provide power to a data center facili… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as uninterruptible power supplies, generators, and emergency power systems. Data center facilities require reliable backup power systems to maintain continuous operation and prevent data loss.
Cabinets refer to the enclosures used to house IT equipment within a data center… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as racks, shelves, and enclosures. Data center facilities use cabinets to organize and protect IT equipment, with secure locking mechanisms and ventilation systems to maintain optimal operating conditions.
Capacity Planning refers to the process of determining the optimal size a… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as scalability, flexibility, and growth planning. Data center facilities must be designed with capacity planning in mind, with modular designs and flexible infrastructure, to accommodate changing IT needs.
Certification refers to the process of verifying that a data center facility mee… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as compliance, auditing, and accreditation. Data center facilities must obtain certification from recognized organizations, such as the Uptime Institute, to demonstrate adherence to industry standards and best practices.
Cloud Computing refers to the delivery of computing resources and services over… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as virtualization, software as a service, and infrastructure as a service. Data center facilities play a critical role in cloud computing, providing secure and reliable infrastructure for cloud services.
Commissioning refers to the process of testing and validating the performance… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as testing, validation, and acceptance. Data center facilities must undergo commissioning to ensure optimal performance, energy efficiency, and reliability.
Cooling refers to the systems used to control the temperature and humidity level… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Data center facilities require reliable cooling systems to maintain optimal operating conditions for IT equipment, with efficient heat removal and minimal energy consumption.
Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) refers to the use of software tools… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as energy efficiency, capacity planning, and asset management. Data center facilities use DCIM tools to optimize performance, reduce energy consumption, and improve reliability.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) refers to the practices and technologies used… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as security, compliance, and governance. Data center facilities must implement DLP measures to protect sensitive data, with robust security controls and regular auditing.
Disaster Recovery refers to the process of recovering IT operations in the event… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as business continuity, emergency preparedness, and crisis management. Data center facilities must have disaster recovery plans in place, with regular testing and updating of procedures, to ensure minimal downtime and rapid recovery.
Downtime refers to the period of time during which a data center facility is una… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as uptime, availability, and reliability. Data center facilities must minimize downtime, with redundant systems, backup power sources, and regular maintenance, to ensure continuous operation and minimal data loss.
Efficiency refers to the ability of a data center facility to optimize resour… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as energy efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability. Data center facilities must prioritize efficiency, with optimized designs, energy-efficient systems, and regular monitoring, to minimize environmental impact and reduce operating costs.
Energy Efficiency refers to the ability of a data center facility to minimize <b… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as sustainability, carbon footprint, and environmental impact. Data center facilities must prioritize energy efficiency, with optimized designs, energy-efficient systems, and regular monitoring, to minimize environmental impact and reduce operating costs.
Environmental Sustainability refers to the ability of a data center facility to… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as green computing, carbon neutrality, and waste reduction. Data center facilities must prioritize environmental sustainability, with optimized designs, energy-efficient systems, and regular monitoring, to minimize environmental impact and reduce operating costs.
Fault Tolerance refers to the ability of a data center facility to continue oper… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as high availability, reliability, and uptime. Data center facilities must prioritize fault tolerance, with redundant systems, backup power sources, and regular maintenance, to ensure continuous operation and minimal data loss.
Fire Suppression refers to the systems used to prevent and extinguish fires</… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as life safety, property protection, and emergency response. Data center facilities must have fire suppression systems in place, with regular testing and maintenance, to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Floor Space refers to the physical area within a data center facility used to ho… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as density, capacity, and utilization. Data center facilities must optimize floor space, with efficient layouts, high-density racks, and modular designs, to maximize capacity and minimize operating costs.
Governance refers to the set of policies , procedures , and stand… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as management, oversight, and accountability. Data center facilities must have governance structures in place, with clear policies, defined roles, and regular auditing, to ensure secure and reliable operation.
Heat Density refers to the amount of heat generated by IT equipment withi… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as cooling, air flow, and temperature control. Data center facilities must manage heat density, with efficient cooling systems, air flow management, and temperature monitoring, to maintain optimal operating conditions for IT equipment.
High Availability refers to the ability of a data center facility to operate wit… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as uptime, reliability, and fault tolerance. Data center facilities must prioritize high availability, with redundant systems, backup power sources, and regular maintenance, to ensure continuous operation and minimal data loss.
Humidity Control refers to the systems used to maintain optimal humidity … #
This concept is closely related to terms such as temperature control, air quality, and static control. Data center facilities must manage humidity levels, with precise control systems, regular monitoring, and adjustments as needed, to maintain optimal operating conditions for IT equipment.
Information Security refers to the policies , procedures , and te… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as data protection, compliance, and risk management. Data center facilities must prioritize information security, with robust security controls, regular auditing, and incident response planning, to protect sensitive information and prevent security breaches.
IT Service Management (ITSM) refers to the set of processes and proced… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as service level agreements, service desk, and configuration management. Data center facilities must have ITSM processes in place, with clear policies, defined roles, and regular monitoring, to ensure high-quality IT services and customer satisfaction.
Load Bank Testing refers to the process of testing a data center facility's e… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as commissioning, testing, and validation. Data center facilities must undergo load bank testing, with regular testing and maintenance, to ensure reliable operation and optimal performance.
Maintenance refers to the activities and procedures used to keep a… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as reliability, availability, and uptime. Data center facilities must prioritize maintenance, with regular scheduling, trained personnel, and adequate resources, to ensure continuous operation and minimal downtime.
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) refers to the average time between failures… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as mean time to repair, failure rate, and reliability engineering. Data center facilities must track MTBF, with regular monitoring and analysis, to identify areas for improvement and optimize reliability and availability.
Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) refers to the average time it takes to repair … #
This concept is closely related to terms such as mean time between failures, failure rate, and reliability engineering. Data center facilities must track MTTR, with regular monitoring and analysis, to identify areas for improvement and optimize maintainability and supportability.
Modular Design refers to the use of pre #
fabricated, self-contained modules to build and expand a data center facility, often using standardized components and repeatable designs. This concept is closely related to terms such as scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. Data center facilities must prioritize modular design, with standardized components, repeatable designs, and flexible expansion options, to maximize efficiency and minimize capital expenditures.
Network Architecture refers to the design and configuration of a d… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as network security, performance, and scalability. Data center facilities must have a well-designed network architecture, with redundant systems, high-availability protocols, and secure access controls, to ensure reliable and secure network operations.
Outsourcing refers to the practice of contracting with a third #
party provider to manage and operate a data center facility, often using managed services, hosting, and cloud computing. This concept is closely related to terms such as cost savings, flexibility, and scalability. Data center facilities must carefully evaluate outsourcing options, with clear service level agreements, defined roles, and regular monitoring, to ensure high-quality services and customer satisfaction.
Physical Security refers to the measures and procedures used to pr… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as information security, data protection, and compliance. Data center facilities must prioritize physical security, with robust security controls, regular auditing, and incident response planning, to protect sensitive information and prevent security breaches.
Power Distribution Unit (PDU) refers to a device used to distribute and <… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as power supply, uninterruptible power systems, and emergency power systems. Data center facilities must use PDUs, with reliable and efficient designs, to ensure continuous operation and minimal downtime.
Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) refers to a metric used to measure the <i… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and environmental sustainability. Data center facilities must track PUE, with regular monitoring and analysis, to identify areas for improvement and optimize energy efficiency.
Raised Floor refers to a type of flooring system used in data center faci… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as cable management, air flow, and temperature control. Data center facilities must use raised flooring, with well-designed layouts, adequate ventilation, and regular maintenance, to ensure optimal operating conditions for IT equipment.
Redundancy refers to the use of duplicate systems or components to ensure… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as high availability, fault tolerance, and reliability. Data center facilities must prioritize redundancy, with duplicate systems, regular testing, and maintenance, to ensure continuous operation and minimal downtime.
Reliability refers to the ability of a data center facility to operate without i… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as availability, uptime, and fault tolerance. Data center facilities must prioritize reliability, with redundant systems, backup power sources, and regular maintenance, to ensure continuous operation and minimal data loss.
Risk Management refers to the processes and procedures used to ide… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as governance, compliance, and audit. Data center facilities must have risk management processes in place, with clear policies, defined roles, and regular monitoring, to identify and mitigate risks, and ensure secure and reliable operation.
Scalability refers to the ability of a data center facility to grow and <… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as capacity planning, flexibility, and efficiency. Data center facilities must prioritize scalability, with modular designs, flexible infrastructure, and standardized components, to maximize efficiency and minimize capital expenditures.
Security refers to the policies , procedures , and technologies</… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as compliance, governance, and risk management. Data center facilities must prioritize security, with robust security controls, regular auditing, and incident response planning, to protect sensitive information and prevent security breaches.
Server refers to a type of computer used to provide services and <… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as hardware, software, and networking. Data center facilities must use servers, with reliable and efficient designs, to provide high-quality services and applications to users.
Storage refers to the systems and devices used to store and manage… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as data management, backup, and recovery. Data center facilities must use storage systems, with reliable and efficient designs, to store and manage large amounts of data, and ensure high-quality services and applications to users.
Sustainability refers to the ability of a data center facility to minimize its <… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as green computing, carbon neutrality, and waste reduction. Data center facilities must prioritize sustainability, with optimized designs, energy-efficient systems, and regular monitoring, to minimize environmental impact and reduce operating costs.
Telecommunications refers to the systems and networks used to tran… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as network architecture, connectivity, and bandwidth. Data center facilities must have telecommunications systems in place, with reliable and efficient designs, to provide high-quality services and applications to users.
Uptime refers to the period of time during which a data center facility is able… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as downtime, availability, and reliability. Data center facilities must prioritize uptime, with redundant systems, backup power sources, and regular maintenance, to ensure continuous operation and minimal data loss.
Virtualization refers to the use of software to create virtual ver… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as cloud computing, software-defined data center, and infrastructure as a service. Data center facilities must use virtualization, with reliable and efficient designs, to provide high-quality services and applications to users, and maximize resource utilization.
Water Cooling refers to the use of water to cool IT equipment within a da… #
This concept is closely related to terms such as cooling, air conditioning, and heat removal. Data center facilities must use water cooling, with reliable and efficient designs, to maintain optimal operating conditions for IT equipment, and minimize energy consumption.