Data Centres and How to Optimise Their Performance
Many people tend to believe that the use of technology to capture, store, process, and retrieve data is a relatively new option and perhaps originated with the release of IBM’s first mass-produced personal computer in the early ‘80s. However, in practice, the oldest form of data storage stems from the introduction of punched cards, first used to control automatic textile looms in 1725 and later to program the room-sized mainframe computers first used in traditional data centres.
The evolution of data storage continued with the introduction of magnetic tapes capable of handling data many times faster than punch cards. Next came the hard drives that are a feature of most modern computers, often with a storage capacity in the terabyte range. However, perhaps the most significant advance in this field has been the birth of cloud computing.
Today, institutions like banks, online stores, and hospitals need to maintain a massive volume of confidential personal information. Whichever of the current storage options they may choose, preserving the security and integrity of that stored information is crucial and can only be assured by optimising data centre performance.
What is Involved in Optimising Data Centres?
A data centre could be just a small room containing a single server, several arrays of servers housed in interconnected but widely separated locations, or anything in between. They consist of three main components dedicated to computing, data storage, and networking, respectively. In turn, the servers are connected to each other and the outside world by cabling, switches, and routers.
An effective performance-optimisation plan should address the integrity of the data-handling procedures in use, the equipment, and the physical layout of a data centre and focus on the following key areas:
The Physical Layout of Data Centres
The security and integrity of data are as dependent on the physical aspects of a server room as on its hardware and software and can be optimised by:
- Specially designed network racks will improve access to equipment and simplify cable management.
- An efficient air conditioning system to regulate ambient temperature and humidity will prevent crucial equipment from overheating.
- A card-based or biometric access control system is the most effective way to ensure that entry to sensitive areas of data centres is restricted to authorised personnel only.
- Installing a fire-suppression system will detect and suppress fires that might otherwise damage equipment and data.
- A backup generator and an uninterruptible power supply will ensure continuity of performance and data integrity during periods of load-shedding or brownouts.
Alternative Approaches to Data Centre Maintenance
Ensuring servers, routers, and switches are optimally functional is crucial to ensure the accessibility and integrity of a database. Accordingly, data centres should adopt a proactive preventative maintenance schedule. Doing so will ensure the early detection of potential issues before they become critical.
One way to avoid too much hassle is to use a third-party environmental monitoring service. Delegating the responsibility to a seasoned professional can be the most effective way to ensure optimal temperature, humidity and air quality, energy-efficient operation, early threat detection, real-time alerts of environmental anomalies, and disaster preparedness.
Finally, one can dispense with most of the equipment and all the maintenance requirements by exporting the data to the cloud, where, for a modest fee, it will be hosted and managed by the service provider, catering for everything from routine software and hardware upgrades to data security, anti-virus measures, and disaster recovery, leaving users free to focus exclusively on their core business activities.
Expert Support for Data Centres in South Africa
CCI Technologies operates offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town and offers all of the above networking and data-related services, from planning, installation, and commissioning to ongoing support and maintenance.
Why not contact us to learn more about how we can optimise the performance of your data centre?
