Optimising Data Centres for Peak Performance
Following the dawn of the digital age, data centres have become the cornerstones of most businesses. However, to be effective, they must be optimised. Only by doing so can a company maintain its efficiency, minimise operating costs, and ensure its stored data remains uncorrupted and secure.
Optimising Data Centres: Essential Strategies
An effective optimisation programme must address several key areas, most notably the need for effective temperature control, power management, and security protocols. The following paragraphs will explore each of these crucial factors in more detail:
- Temperature Control: Computers are fitted with heat sinks and fans to maintain the internal temperatures required for peak performance. However, when multiple servers are installed in a relatively confined space, the risk of overheating is markedly increased. Overheating increases operating costs and carries the risk of equipment failure and data loss.
Server rooms should be monitored continuously to track changes in temperature and humidity, and should preferably be an automated process. Recommended cooling solutions include:
- Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle: Arranging server racks in alternating rows with cold air intakes facing one way and directing hot air exhausts in the opposite direction helps reduce hot air mixing with cold, thus achieving more efficient cooling.
- Advanced Cooling Technology: Using liquid coolants and evaporative cooling systems can significantly improve cooling efficiency in data centres.
Whichever system is employed, the importance of regular preventative maintenance should never be overlooked.
- Power Management: Maintaining a continuous, stable supply of electricity to a computer network is vital to preserve data integrity and prevent the loss of crucial company or client information. Best optimisation practices for data centres include the following:
- Redundant Power Solutions: Installing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and a backup generator will ensure operational continuity and data safety during accidental or scheduled power outages and brownouts.
- Virtualisation: By running multiple virtual machines on one physical server, data centres can reduce the number of servers required, significantly reducing energy use and operating costs.
- Energy-Efficient Hardware: While upgrading a computer network can be expensive, it can be an invaluable investment. Modern equipment often incorporates dynamic frequency and voltage scaling that adjusts power usage to match workload demands, resulting in significant long-term savings.
- Optimised Power Distribution: Intelligent power distribution units (PDUs) enable real-time monitoring and control, ensuring power is always directed to where it is most needed.
While operating economically and efficiently are key concerns for the personnel responsible for data centres, nothing is more important than ensuring the safety and integrity of their stored information. Hence, their primary concern is:
- Security: Besides the fundamental desire to be seen by their clients as reliable, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) places a legal obligation on the managers of South Africa’s data centres to institute suitable security measures like the following:
- Physical: Biometric access control, surveillance cameras, and security guards to prevent access by unauthorised personnel
- Network Protection: Firewalls, intruder detection and prevention software, antivirus products, and secure network architecture act in concert to protect the system from cyberattacks.
- Data Encryption: Encrypting data whilst at rest and in transit will ensure that even if it should be intercepted without authorisation, it will be unreadable by anyone who does not have the corresponding decryption key.
- Role-Based Access Control: Providing centre personnel access on a need-to-know basis using a hierarchical system of usernames and passwords limits the risk of an accidental or malicious data breach.
- Security and Compliance Audits: Adopting a proactive policy of regularly checking that security measures comply with regulatory requirements and standards will ensure any vulnerabilities are addressed before they can be exploited.
Safeguarding South Africa’s Data Centres
CCI Technologies is an established leader in data management and security. Why not contact us today to ensure peace of mind with a tailored turnkey solution to protect your corporate and client data?
