1 / 13

Innovative Refurbishment of a Legacy Data Centre: Overcoming Physical and Budget Constraints

This project explores the refurbishment of a legacy data centre at the University of Hertfordshire, focusing on sustainability and efficiency within a 75m² facility. Led by Steve Phipps and Richard Stern, the initiative faced significant physical and budgetary constraints, which were tackled through strategic planning and the adoption of best practices in sustainable technology. The project not only aimed to meet the current demands but also set a benchmark for future developments in the higher education sector. Key outcomes include reduced operational costs and enhanced energy efficiency.

lok
Télécharger la présentation

Innovative Refurbishment of a Legacy Data Centre: Overcoming Physical and Budget Constraints

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Micro Data Centre Refurbishment Overcoming Physical and Budgetary Constraints in a Legacy Mixed-Use Facility Steve Phipps (Data Centres Manager) and Richard Stern (Project Manager Data Centre Infrastructure) - University of Hertfordshire

  2. RARE-IDC“Reduction And Re-use of Energy in Institutional Data Centres” • Background to the Project • Our Approach? • Completing the project (Richard Stern) • Outcomes and Learning • Q&As

  3. Background to the Project • One of two main 75m2 Data Centres for the University • Funding had already been allocated in order to overcome several legacy risks • We also share many refurbishment issues with other Public Sector institutions • UoH regularly achieves a top 5 position in the People and Planet Green League, and aggressively pursues a Green agenda • Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funding brought new constraints and new objectives: • “An exemplar of a Green Data Centre for the HE/FE Sector” • “A model for other institutions to follow and learn from” • “Meet the business need with capacity, resilience and economy for at least ten years”

  4. What Was Our Approach? • Hired a project manager • Mitigated the risks with the existing facility by moving into a temporary room • Originally considered a Consult -> Design, and tender for the build process only • Bolstered our skills in best practices, cutting-edge sustainable technologies and thought leadership on reducing the carbon impact of Data Centres • Opted for a tender process that included “Design and Build”.

  5. Design & Process • Researched a wide variety of sustainable technologies & best practices • Design & Build Contract • “Open process” • Large No. Of responses, difficult to compare • I.T.T. must reflect the exact deliverables • Must be able to challenge the responses • Supplier has ownership of design • Fixed cost • Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) help to reduce No. of appropriate responses • The Invitation to Tender (I.T.T) • Included Best Practices (EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres) • British & International Standards (TIA942) • Get it right!

  6. Project Structure • Identify & Plan in your resources • Communicate, Communicate, Communicate • Relationships • Reporting

  7. Physical Challenges

  8. New Data Centre Layout

  9. The Challenges • Risks • Disruption during refurbishment • Resources • Physical Constraints • Risers • Pillars • Bulkhead • Capacity • Problems • Work around critical infrastructure • Comparing like for like

  10. Budget Constraints • Limited Budget • Design & Build – fixed cost • Tracking the expenditure • Contingency • Return on Investment (ROI) • Saving of £34,000 pa • Payback well under 12 years (not including Carbon costs)

  11. Successes and Achievements • Research your Topic • The PQQ • Careful Planning • Relationships • Communication • Green Achievements; • Re-use of Waste Heat • Refurbishment not new Build • Re-use of some Equipment • Reduction of Operating & Carbon costs & Reduced PUE • Virtualisation ongoing

  12. Lessons Learned Complexity of Designs Getting approvals Clear explanation of designs Don’t forget Structured cabling and other hidden costs

  13. Outcomes and Learning • Size doesn’t matter! • Learn from others • EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres http://bit.ly/h4FA7 • Realising that not all DC providers are the same • Involve your provider as partner • Don’t be afraid to challenge • Cultural changes that breed success • Work closely with Estates • Embedding sustainable processes and technology • Remember the three M’s – Meter, Monitor and Manage • Dissemination of outcomes • Blog http://rare-idc.blogs.herts.ac.uk/ • Conference 8th September 2010, UH Hatfield Sept ’10 http://bit.ly/b3JytN

More Related