Data Center

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 14:55:53 -0600

The data center is a new, state-of-the-art facility. It is built on today's technology and practices a philosophy of being a security-focused operation. This philosophy is exemplified by an advanced Toshiba physical security system as well as the very best network and security. Activities and services are monitored with best of breed tools by an experienced (CCNA, CCNP, CCSA, CCSE, MCSE and other certifications) technical staff 24x7x365 from the Network Operations Center (NOC).

Power	Electrical Power Electrical power from Colorado's Xcel Energy is delivered from dual feeds from the Surrey Ridge substation. The electric service in the building is connected to a parallel redundant Powerware UPS, which delivers conditioned power to the data center via a Starline Bussway system. This system eliminates the need for traditional power distribution units (PDU's) and enhances the reliability of the system as well as making "A" and "B" power available to every computer equipment cabinet. UPS Dual Powerware 160KVA and a Cummings 1000KW diesel generator with 7-day fuel reserve. Distribution Starline Bussway provides A/B power to all cabinets. ATS 1600 Amp Automatic Transfer Switch.
Access	Primary Cable & Wireless Gigabit Ethernet over multi-mode fiber to their national fiber network node located in adjacent building. This node has eight (8) OC-192 connections to the Cable & Wireless network. Alternate 100 Mbps Ethernet over single-mode fiber connection to the Denver Internap PNAP via XO's Metropolitan Area Network. Others ICG, Qwest and Level3. Qwest and ICG currently provide OC-3 connections to the facility and additional capacity is available from both carriers.
Security	Access Controlled by card key system issued by NOC personnel staffed 24x7x365. Surveillance Twenty-three (23) Toshiba cameras, connected to a Toshiba closed circuit surveillance system, monitor the data center. This state-of-the-art system provides NOC staff with the ability to visually monitor all doors to the data center and all cabinets within the data center. The system detects any movement, triggering one or more of the cameras to capture a digital image of the movement, which is recorded to a RAID-based hard drive system. The images are archived periodically and can be transferred to any digital media on demand. Data Center Floor Access Controlled by access card and biometric scan. Visitors Visitors must be granted access by duly authorized representatives of the data center clients. A biometric scan and surrender of the visitor's driver's license for a proxy card is required for visitors to gain access from the lobby to the administrative area. Another biometric scan and use of the access card is required to enter the raised floor area.
Environmental	Cooling and Humidity Controlled by six (6) 30-ton Data Aire air handling units (AHUs) providing N+2 redundancy. The AHUs are completely redundant (N+2) as only 3 of the AHUs are needed to properly cool the data center if it were fully loaded with equipment. Operating Environment Set at 68°F (20°C) with 45% humidity and a variation of no more than 4°F of temperature, or 4% in humidity.
Fire Detection and Fire Suppression	Fire Detection Multi-zone above and below raised floor monitored internally by the NOC and externally by Honeywell. The data center has sensors installed both above and below the raised floor to detect gases that rise with the airflow in the center as well as heavy gases that tend to settle under the floor. Fire Suppression Dry pipe pre-action system that will not pressurize until two (2) monitors are triggered. The fire suppression system is a pre-action, dry pipe which would discharge water only from the appropriate locations if the heat in the data center increases enough to trigger a fire sprinkler head. The discharge of a sprinkler would signal the emergency power off switch which would simultaneously turn off the electrical power to the entire data center room.

Arkansas Website Design, Fort Smith - Data Center - Comments

Data Center