Datacentres house computer systems, server and network infrastructure and associated storage platforms to enable the centralised collection and distribution of Data across the enterprise network.
Organisations are continuing to collect even greater volumes of data in order to optimise business processes, improve customer services and enhance partner relationships. Greater volumes of data translates to a wider distribution of that data across an increasing number of information systems.
The Datacentre remains at the critical core of the enterprise and is central to organisations ability to process, store and transmit their data.
Symantecs Global Disaster Recovery Research 2009 has found that IT is becoming more critical to organisations, demonstrating the crucial problems associated with downtime. Sixty percent of all applications are now deemed mission critical, up from 56 percent in 2008.
Therefore, reducing Datacentre Downtime and limiting Data Loss is imperative.
The affect of downtime and data loss are considerable
- 70% of businesses cease trading after a major data loss Source: DTI
- 50% of business cease trading immediately is centralised systems are unavailable for up to 10 Days. Source DTI
- 93% going bankrupt within a year. Source DTI
- 80% of companies who experience fire cease trading within 18months. Source AXA
Summary Findings
- Rudimentary principals of Datacentre electrical design and installation have been ignored in 96% of Datacentres Audited. With 58% non conforming to statutory and regulatory rules governing the provision of maintaining electrical infrastructure, correct record keeping and identification.
- 93% of Datacentres Audited by Hive Datacentres had single points of failure within the electrical infrastructure of the datacentre. (These figures exclude Generator, Transformer and Substation Redundancy.)
- Power Monitoring in 22% of Datacentres has identified an anomaly with the electrical infrastructure including waveform and harmonic distortion, and power surges.
- 41% of Datacentres have Server Inlet Temperatures greater than 24oC. Which falls outside of ASHREA Guidelines and can increase the chance of equipment Failure
- Specifically within the NHS dispite requests by PACS and MIR equipment providers for host to provide automated Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems, no Fire Suppression systems were installed in 69% of NHS Datacentres audited. across all sectors of those Datacentres were Gaseous Fire Suppression has been installed, 88% do not have a valid Integrity Test Certificate and 77% have ineffectual second knock functionality.
- In 97% of Datacentres poor cabling practices are apparent. 89% of which have undersized/overcrowded or lack of containment, 89% of which have used incorrect patch lead sizing and 11% of which cabling practices are impeding airflow within the datacentre which is subsequently leading to increased temperatures of the datacentre.
- 48% of Datacentres audited contained rubbish and or combustible materials
- 51% have an unacceptable level of dust and dirt. (Responsible for 44% of all hard disk failures), 58% have tripping hazards ( including, missing floor tiles, poor cabling practices, upturned carpet).
- Additionally a major issue of concern is the limited access for personnel in terms of accessing active equipment. 58% of Datacentres have areas that fall out of statutory and regulatory guidelines. This increase the chance of human error and increases the risk of danger to personnel.
- Overall there is a lack of cooperation and knowledge share between IT and Estates/Facilities Departments, thus an unstructured approach is often undertaken when identifying faults and issues.
- The components of a Datacentre have a high interdependency, rectification of a fault in one area often leads to secondary faults elsewhere in 77% of all Datacentres audited Datcentre personell did not have a basic understanding of the three main Datacentre disciplines (IT, Electrical & Mechanica).
