Data centers today are bigger and bolder. They hold so much data it’s nearly impossible to quantify it all.
Is it any wonder why a simple malfunction can cause such a disaster? Data centers may be impressive locations, but they’re still susceptible to wear and tear like any other collective. Regular upkeep, combined with the very best in hot aisle containment solutions, is essential to keep your information safe at all times. Should your data cabinets be a little cramped — or you’ve just learned about new data rack products — you’ll want to take a look. There could be a way to extend the lifespan of your equipment with just a switch.
Industry estimates, hot aisle containment solutions…there’s a lot to learn, so strap in!
Data centers are just about everywhere. The ones that stand out from the pack, however, are the ones that atke advantage of high-quality electronics racks. A recent study found over 80% of companies reportedly saving much more money after making the switch to the cloud — this useful application provides several benefits, from keeping employees on the same page to updating vital information on a rolling basis. Another study found that, when given the choice of being able to move one application to the cloud, around 25% of respondents would choose storage. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Although so much of the world has gone digital, there is still a need for storage that is efficient, clean, and safe. Data centers provide an ongoing hazard thanks to constantly generating heat and relying on electricity at nearly all times. The power density of just one data center is 100 times more than that of a large commercial office building — that’s as much as nine small sized shopping malls of Wal-Mart size! It’s easy to see where technical malfunctions can come from. Updating your hot aisle containment solutions will stop problems before they even start.
Companies are starting to feel the brunt of these energy costs (and equipment failures). The A/C costs of your average server room with around 30 KW of air conditioning operating at 70% capacity — with an average cost of 12 c/kWh — will be at a pretty $25,000pa. That also produces several hundred tonnes of greenhouse gas, bad news for any business trying to push an eco-friendly model to the forefront. Based on current electricity price increases and carbon levy this cost has the potential to rise to 65% over the next few years. How are you going to prepare for the overhaul?
A simple place to start is just making sure you’re not wasting any money. Data center containment is designed to be of the utmost efficiency, keeping equipment organized and just roomy enough to vent heat. Data centers just seven years old are considered very out of date, according to Green Computing norms — the practical life of a data center is closer to nine years, which is still not much more wiggle room. According to recent studies, 80% of data centers either employ or are looking into installing hot or cold aisle containment systems. These could make the difference you’re looking for.
Your first order of business with hot aisle containment solutions? See which electronic cabinet designs suit your server rooms and move from there. It’s estimated over 65% of IT equipment failures are directly attributed to poorly maintained rooms or failed air conditioning. Survey results collected in 2011 saw 40% of large companies expected to exceed IT capacity in the span of a year and a half. Technology is moving faster than ever and sometimes it’s all you can do to keep up.
Save money while still moving forward. Invest in hot aisle containment solutions that conserve energy and keep safety a top priority.
