Data Centre Essentials

5Overview of Infrastructure

In order to support the IT hardware, which operates to deliver IT services, a number of physical infrastructure systems are required, which typically include:

1. Power
2. Cooling
3. Monitoring
4. Fire detection and protection/suppression
5. Security

Figure 5.1 is a simplified example of how power and cooling systems support IT equipment. The solid lines show power supplies and the dashed lines cooling. Cooling equipment also needs to be powered and electrical equipment needs to be cooled (in some cases, this is ventilation only without control of temperature or humidity).

There are a number of different design options for each; cost is a driving consideration. Projects are often very focussed on capital cost. However, some cost savings at this stage may be offset by additional costs during operation; for example, low‐cost equipment is installed which uses more energy and is less reliable. The total cost of ownership, illustrated in Figure 5.2, takes into account not only capital cost but also operating cost, which is comprised of staff costs, energy, and maintenance costs. A hidden cost is that of failure – if service was interrupted, what would be the cost to the business?

This depends on many factors such as the function of the service, number of users impacted and the duration of outage. For example, an investment bank unable to process transactions for one hour during the trading day could cost the business millions of dollars. However, a one‐hour outage ...