Modular DCs: It can be the answer, but take the right approach

The DC industry is experiencing a paradigm shift to deliver facilities that are sustainable, cost less, have justifiable total cost of ownership and better IT scalability.  This is a tough balance to get right.  One of the most popular routes is to deploy modular data centres but there are a number of considerations before embarking on this very attractive approach.

For example, replacing your servers may mean you need fewer of them as hardware advances.  This may mean more performance with less power and space consumed, creating a chance to reconfigure the existing DC space, providing for future capacity, even though you have just boosted capacity to meet demand.  But its not just processing technology that is improving, both air conditioning and power solutions are improving in ways that take up less space, make less noise and cost less to run.

Here are our thoughts on the considerations when embarking on a modular data centre project: 

Decide on your goals

This might seem an obvious starting point, but is important to document what it is you want to achieve before you start to think about how you will do it.  It is very easy to get caught up in the desire greater processing power and storage headroom, when other goals such as the location and flexibility of the data centre installation might be equally or more important, as well as the level of security that may be required.

Assemble a wide-ranging team early

Involve other departments at an early stage, including finance, estates, facilities management and a C-level executive sponsor who is not responsible for IT.  This will help identify all the factors that impact the proposed DC project from physical location and future changes to the property estate to the strategic goals of the organisation.  A proposal put forward by a team across the organisation is less likely to hit hurdles and provide a sustainable solution that meets with boardroom approval.  

Bigger is not always better?

We’ve already said that ‘more’ is the byword for DC projects, but bigger is not always better when it comes to choosing a design and build partner.  Many large IT companies take a one-size fits all approach to DC projects, which leaves IT departments to pick up the pieces of huge running costs, as the result of an inefficient build.  Look at a range of companies including those that may be smaller, but specialize in your sector. Picking a partner isn’t easy, but the sweetspot has to be small enough to care, but big enough to cope.

Flexible and scalable

When most people think of a DC, they imagine rows of shipping containers or large industrial building shrouded in security.  In some cases, large custom built modular data centres are the right way to go, but sites in densely populated areas rarely have the space to accommodate such structures, and they can be very expensive to extend when the need arises.  Modular data centres offer an almost lego-like approach to design and build and completely redefine the construction process, by inherently supporting the concept of a phased construction.  This can make a huge difference to the timeline of a project, and means that the maximum level of energy efficiency can be achieved, because construction does not include space for additional racks that might not be needed for five years.  As you need more, you just add a module, even building units on top of one another so that the site footprint is unaffected.

Where should it go?

Location is always a consideration - whether you are extending a data centre or building a new one, the construction methods can make a big difference.  Modular Data centres can be placed on top of buildings, on top of each other and even in seemingly unsuitable cupboards or rooms thanks to ever shrinking servers, power and cooling hardware.  Be creative, modular construction make many more locations a realistic prospect for DC location.

Power needs and availability?

A key consideration when upgrading or extending a DC is the change in power usage and whether this will require additional equipment, such as back-up generators or an upgrade of the UPS as well as the possibility of new higher capacity cabling.  If it is a new modular DC being built, then consideration should be given to establish whether a suitable power supply is even available and how far is it from the switchgear room. If it is a long way this aspect can be very expensive as it requires the support of the electricity companies, and there is very little flexibility in the costs they charge to present the power supply to the new DC location.

Another consideration with power is the environmental impact of generators and supplies both in terms of environmental impact, and noise.  Both of these can have serious repercussions for surrounding office workers on your site as well as residential areas and other businesses.

Cooling

What type of cooling is most suited to your application in terms of environment, load and physical structure?  Explore all the options – for example using centralised air handling systems is generally considered to be more efficient, however, there can be problems of redundancy or failover.  The large motors and fans used by some providers could potentially expose the DC to risk if there is no back up in the event of the central system failing.  Multiple smaller or modular systems may be a better way of being prepared for a “worst case scanario”. 

Monitoring systems

Invest time and money in DC monitoring systems – they will save a huge amount of money and pain over the life of your DC, providing insight into the performance of equipment in the DC.  From storage and networking to air conditioning and even the physical building itself, integrated monitoring and management tools give a holistic view of the facility. 

If there is one word to keep in mind when approaching a data centre project it is “sustainability” and that means planning for the long-term.  Considering all of the areas above will be an ideal starting point to undertaking such a project. A key component in running a sustainable DC and being energy conscious focus must be placed on using monitoring tools to run facilities efficiently and creatively.  Recent best practice guides, suggests that the direct use of waste DC heat for low temperature heating applications, such as preheating ventilation air for buildings or water heating, can create energy savings.