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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.
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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
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
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”
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”.
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!
Project Structure • Identify & Plan in your resources • Communicate, Communicate, Communicate • Relationships • Reporting
The Challenges • Risks • Disruption during refurbishment • Resources • Physical Constraints • Risers • Pillars • Bulkhead • Capacity • Problems • Work around critical infrastructure • Comparing like for like
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)
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
Lessons Learned Complexity of Designs Getting approvals Clear explanation of designs Don’t forget Structured cabling and other hidden costs
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