1. How to Build, Refresh, or Rebuild Your Datacenter on Time and Under Budget

2. 5 Keys to Success Comprehensive budget and timeline Careful design and capacity planning Savvy equipment purchasing Choosing your contractors wisely Effective construction and project management HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

3. Getting Started Preliminary questions to ask yourself: Why am I undertaking this project? What are my growth projections for the next 3 years? ● Revenue ● Servers and equipment How much can I realistically afford to spend? How am I going to fund this project? How soon do I need the center to be operational? What server form factors will the datacenter house? HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

4. Budget and Timeline How much can I afford to spend? How much do I want to spend? Funding from operating cash vs. financing Phases ● Finding a location and signing a lease ● Design ● Purchasing equipment ● Bid process and selecting contractors ● Implementation and construction ● Time to bring the center online after the last contractor finishes Best and worst case timelines Having a good “plan B” HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

5. Sample Budget Framework Construction Generator ● Equipment & Install UPS ● Equipment & Install HVAC ● Equipment & Installation ● Electrical Electrical Contractor ● Transformers ● Lights ● Circuits & Panels ● Miscellaneous Raised Flooring Fire Suppression ● Gas system ● Wet Sprinklers ● Pre-action dry pipe sprinklers Security ● Keycard access ● Alarm and monitoring Architectural Services Misc. Professional Services Fiber and/or Telecom Construction Delivery and Rigging HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

6. Choosing a Location Important Considerations: Square footage requirements Parking Access to fiber / Internet connectivity Electrical service capacity Flex warehouse space vs. office Flex warehouse space ● Much more affordable per sq. ft. ● Be prepared to bear nearly all of the build-out costs Office space ● Landlord may bear some of the build-out space ● Higher price per sq. ft. may be partially offset by lower upfront costs Pitfall! Choosing a location without affordable and readily available access to fiber and Internet connectivity can greatly devalue your datacenter. HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

7. Space Layout Do I need an architect? ● Sealed drawings for permit process Basic rooms required ● Workshop / staging area ● Main datacenter (server room) ● Power / infrastructure room ● Bathrooms Recommended ● Office space ● Shipping and receiving area ● Secure storage HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

8. Capacity Planning & Design: HVAC & Electrical Systems HVAC Systems: What types of servers do I use or plan to use? What types of servers do I use or plan to use? ● What is their typical power draw (this relates to heat dissipation) ● “Rated” heat dissipation vs. actual Liebert vs. other brands Liebert vs. other brands Down flow air and raised floor vs. up flow air and ductwork Down flow air and raised floor vs. up flow air and ductwork Split system vs. rooftop Split system vs. rooftop Choosing systems for main server and power rooms, staging area, and offices Choosing systems for main server and power rooms, staging area, and offices The bottom line – how many tons of cooling do I need? The bottom line – how many tons of cooling do I need? ● N+1 redundancy HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

9. Capacity Planning & Design: HVAC & Electrical Systems Electrical Systems: What types of servers do I use or plan to use? What types of servers do I use or plan to use? ● What is their typical power draw (this relates to heat dissipation)? ● “Rated” current draw vs. actual – empirical data is best if available 480 volt vs. 208/120 volt power 480 volt vs. 208/120 volt power ● Powering HVAC equipment ● Transformers and harmonics Sizing the generator(s) Sizing the generator(s) UPS system UPS system ● Central vs. “in the rack” ● Sizing the UPS ● Runtime and expandability ● Maintenance bypass HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

10. Capacity Planning & Design: HVAC & Electrical Systems Essential Technologies: K-Rated Transformers K-Rated Transformers ● Handle non-linear loads from computer power supplies ● Standard transformer will overheat and fail prematurely ● Manufactured with heavier gauge copper and a double sized neutral conductor Central UPS System Central UPS System ● More cost effective in the long run ● More reliable than “in the rack” systems ● More manageable – small units overload quickly HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

15. Capacity Planning & Design: HVAC & Electrical Systems Pitfall! Underestimating the importance of properly sizing electrical and HVAC systems: 1) Do I need an engineer? 2) How does this phase impact the rest of the project? 3) How can I structure my build to minimize the impact of a mistake? HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

16. Capacity Planning & Design: Raised Floor & Cable Mgmt. Tightly tied to HVAC and electrical planning Tightly tied to HVAC and electrical planning Cost comparison vs. ductwork for air delivery Cost comparison vs. ductwork for air delivery Fire suppression concerns Fire suppression concerns ● Fire code may require under floor suppression, especially with gas systems Ramps, steps, and ADA accessibility concerns Ramps, steps, and ADA accessibility concerns ● Impact on overall square footage HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

17. Capacity Planning & Design: Raised Floor & Cable Mgmt. Essential Technology: Networking overhead, electrical under floor Networking overhead, electrical under floor ● Should I deliver networking cable under the floor? ● Raised floors can become “cable graveyards” ● Overhead “ladders” recommended for network cable ● Excellent for delivering power circuits to racks ● Benefits for air distribution HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

19. Capacity Planning & Design: Security Keycard access Keycard access Multi-room access restrictions Multi-room access restrictions Secure storage area for equipment Secure storage area for equipment Biometrics – worth the cost? Biometrics – worth the cost? Essential Technology: Centralized monitoring of security, climate, and various sensors Centralized monitoring of security, climate, and various sensors Cost effective to outsource Cost effective to outsource Under-floor water detection Under-floor water detection Detect condensate leaks from air conditioning Detect condensate leaks from air conditioning Catch problems early to prevent disaster Catch problems early to prevent disaster HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

20. Capacity Planning & Design: Fire Detection & Suppression Essential Technology: Dual method smoke and fire detection Dual method smoke and fire detection ● Photoelectric ● Chamber that gets clouded or obstructed ● If light beam doesn't bounce back it alarms ● “Sees" fire Ionization Ionization ● Invisible state of fire ● No smoke but detects chemical change associated with fire in air molecules HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

21. Capacity Planning & Design: Fire Detection & Suppression Clean agent gas systems Clean agent gas systems ● FM 200, FE-227, FE-25 – Halon replacements ● Single zone vs. multiple zone systems ● Inspection and “fan test” ● Training staff on usage and response to alarms Wet pipe sprinklers Wet pipe sprinklers Dry pipe “pre-action” sprinkler systems Dry pipe “pre-action” sprinkler systems Complying with fire code and passing inspection Complying with fire code and passing inspection Cost comparison Cost comparison HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

23. Savvy Equipment Purchasing: New vs. Used New Equipment: From manufacturers and resellers From manufacturers and resellers Benefits of new equipment Benefits of new equipment ● Readily available ● Factory warranties ● Latest technology ● Less likely to have problems or be “DOA” Main drawback of new equipment – cost Main drawback of new equipment – cost HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

24. Savvy Equipment Purchasing: New vs. Used Used Equipment: Used equipment is ideal for all non-critical or highly redundant systems Used equipment is ideal for all non-critical or highly redundant systems Reconditioned equipment in “like new” condition is a great option Reconditioned equipment in “like new” condition is a great option Used equipment is available for things you might not expect Used equipment is available for things you might not expect Used and reconditioned raised flooring systems are readily available Used and reconditioned raised flooring systems are readily available HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

26. Savvy Equipment Purchasing: Sourcing Buying from your contractors vs. direct Buying from your contractors vs. direct ● What to procure yourself ● “Big” items – generator, datacenter HVAC units, central UPS ● Can save 10-20% on high cost items ● What to let your contractors handle ● Miscellaneous electrical gear (panels, etc…), rooftop air conditioning units, construction materials New equipment is also available on the secondary market through vendors that also sell used New equipment is also available on the secondary market through vendors that also sell used Creative sourcing on high dollar items can significantly reduce project costs Creative sourcing on high dollar items can significantly reduce project costs HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

27. Choosing Your Contractors Wisely Selecting the companies for bids Selecting the companies for bids Preparing your RFP Preparing your RFP Bidding out the jobs Bidding out the jobs Pitfall! Failing to provide sufficient detail to contractors and failing to get detailed proposals in writing. 1) Avoid costly change orders as a result of “miscommunication”. 2) Give yourself solid footing in the event of a dispute. HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

28. Choosing Your Contractors Wisely Building solid relationships Building solid relationships Interacting with and evaluating contractors during the bid process Interacting with and evaluating contractors during the bid process How to evaluate bids How to evaluate bids ● High and low bids ● Evaluating “outliers” ● Is the cheapest bid always the best? HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

29. Effective Construction & Project Management Do I need a General Contractor (GC)? GC’s and construction management companies GC’s and construction management companies ● What they offer ● What they cost ● Why you might want one ● How you can avoid them Pitfall! Permit and inspection processes can cause significant delays in your build. If you choose to bypass the GC, which can substantially reduce project costs, make sure you choose contractors that are well connected and have a thorough knowledge of the permit processes in your area. Especially important with construction, electrical, and fire suppression. HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

30. Effective Construction & Project Management Coordinating Contractors: Project planning Project planning Coordinating facility access for contractors Coordinating facility access for contractors Jobs are interdependent Jobs are interdependent ● Examples ● Ductwork and sprinklers before ceilings ● Electrical work required for HVAC ● Electrical work before drywall ● Etc… ● Keeping things flowing in order ● Contractor meetings HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

32. Effective Construction & Project Management Managing Disputes and Accidents: Handling a dispute with a contractor Handling a dispute with a contractor ● When to disburse payments ● Taking a hard line when necessary ● Contingency plans Accidents Accidents ● Broken equipment, damage to facilities ● How to protect yourself ● Insurance requirements HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

33. Effective Construction & Project Management Pitfall! Failing to hire a rigging company to manage delivery and placement of heavy equipment. 1) Hire a rigging company that is insured and experienced at receiving, handling, and delivering heavy machinery. 2) Schedule delivery of large pieces to the rigging company. 3) Have the rigging company deliver the equipment and set it in place in your datacenter. 4) The rigging company should store the equipment until the proper time in the construction cycle HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

37. Effective Construction & Project Management After the job is done, the work begins. Walkthroughs and punch-lists Walkthroughs and punch-lists Final payment disbursements Final payment disbursements Once your contractors finish, your work begins Once your contractors finish, your work begins Factoring this piece into your timeline Factoring this piece into your timeline ● Installing your networking gear ● Network cabling ● Staffing and monitoring HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

38. Must-have Technology Summary K-Rated Transformers K-Rated Transformers Central UPS System Central UPS System Raised flooring with overhead network cabling Raised flooring with overhead network cabling Central monitoring and under-floor water detection Central monitoring and under-floor water detection Dual method smoke and fire detection Dual method smoke and fire detection HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005

39. Pitfall Summary Choosing a location without affordable and readily available access to fiber and Internet connectivity can greatly devalue your datacenter. Underestimating the importance of properly sizing electrical and HVAC systems. Failing to provide sufficient detail to contractors and failing to get detailed proposals in writing. Failing to hire a rigging company to manage delivery and placement of heavy equipment. Permit and inspection processes can cause significant delays in your build. HostingCon 2005 June 7, 2005