Data Centers and IT Professionals' Reliance on Standby Power
 Data is never more important than when it is temporarily unavailable or, in worse cases, irretrievably lost. In an increasingly virtual world where exchange of critical information is a click away, data centers form the backbone of all network operations. Larger companies such as Facebook, MySpace, and Yahoo sometimes have huge facilities with enormous power requirements, like this one that was constructed with 32 generators in 2007, DuPont Fabros. All data centers, or data warehouses, perform the critical function of maintaining a centralized repository of information belonging to individual businesses and organizations. Their primary objective is to provide reliable, uninterrupted data access, which requires them to protect their operations from unexpected system failures and power outages. This is achieved via optimized management of computing resources, redundant storage of data, and reliance upon a backup power supply.
Evolution of Data Centers
Since the advent of the computing industry when mainframes were the order of the day and computers were primarily used for military purposes, the role of data centers has been continually evolving. Through the rise of the microcomputer industry and the dot-com era where personal computers became the norm to the present day where business and individuals simply cannot function efficiently without robust information technology (IT) systems, data centers play an ever increasing role in supporting every day life.
In the early days, computer systems only existed within large businesses and governmental organizations as they were bulky and very expensive. They had exacting power requirements and needed to be operated in a special ambience with extensive cooling facilities to prevent breakdown due to overheating. Security of these expensive systems was also an important concern as they housed sensitive information. This led to the creation of specially designed facilities (data warehouses/centers), which were fitted with standardized racks to mount the computer equipment, elevated floors and cable trays, environmental controls to maintain the required ambient temperature, and security devices to restrict access to authorized personnel.
The subsequent microcomputer era of the 1980s ushered in an indiscriminate usage of personal computers. Prices of equipment spiraled downwards. IT operations grew in intensity and complexity. Consequently, data centers began to play an important role in the management and control of IT resources.
 The dot-com era saw organizations clamoring for fast Internet connectivity and round-the-clock availability of systems and applications. It became the onus of data centers to support not only internal processes but also external processes such as enterprise web sites and business integration, which have a direct impact on customer satisfaction and business growth.
In the present times, organizations have become heavily dependent on data centers to provide fail-safe consolidation of the IT infrastructure, management and optimal utilization of IT resources for efficient performance of complex operations. Consequently, any power outage or downtime at the data center translates into enormous losses of data, rupture of communication links, abrupt termination of consumer transactions, and, consequently, loss of revenue and damage to the reputation of the organization. Repeated outages can cause irreparable damage to the hardware components with disastrous consequences. Business operations may come to an abrupt halt and will then require several weeks of recovery time. It thus becomes imperative for organizations to ensure 100 percent uptime for their data centers by provision of multiple power networks with several layers of redundancy. The Register provides an article and additional information relating to the evolution of the data center. Also included are downloadable whitepapers on subjects such as Making Green IT a Reality, Enabling the Data Center Metamorphosis and several others.
Data Center Topology
The degree of redundancy required is dictated by the availability needs of particular business applications. In case of businesses that are not time-sensitive, data centers are set up in the ‘N’ configuration. This means no internal redundancies are available to ensure continued availability during an outage. A configuration of ‘N+1’ topology implies a single degree of redundancy in select components. So if one unit fails, a redundant piece of equipment takes over and thus ensures continued functionality. Most critical applications that require round-the-clock availability typically follow a ‘2N’ configuration wherein all the critical systems are made completely redundant. This also facilitates performance of maintenance activities on one system while the other one supports the load.
Back-Up Power Requirements
The total power requirement of a typical data center for IT infrastructure includes lighting load, air-conditioning load, and other critical IT loads that include power required by network and communication equipment, desk-tops, servers, and the Electronic Automatic Private Branch Exchange (EAPBX). In addition, power supply is required for security systems such as access control, CCTV surveillance and fire alarms, and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) loads based on redundancy requirements.
The importance of redundant power backup in a data center cannot be undermined in ensuring fail-safe and continuous availability of data and resources. When businesses require only a brief period of extended run-time during a power outage, UPS protection can be provided through supplemental batteries. Applications and users can be signaled to take necessary action before the exhaustion of the limited back-up time available. Systems can be commanded to shut down gracefully. This eliminates all hassles involved in abrupt termination of operations. However, most businesses today operate in mission critical environments, where shutdown of systems as an option simply does not exist. Also, provision of back-up power for protected loads in case of an outage brings with it the accompanying cooling requirements for the operating equipment, which if not satisfied can cause permanent damage to the systems on account of overheating.
Role of Standby Generators
 A standby generator is the most viable and affordable option for handling uninterrupted power supply and the concurrent cooling loads in the event of long outages. When configured properly this electrical backup system that can operate automatically in the case of a power outage. An automatic transfer switch senses the power loss within seconds of a utility outage, signals the generator to start functioning, and then transfers the electrical load to the generator. The generator then begins to supply power to the circuits. When the utility power supply is resumed, the electrical load is transferred back to the utility by the automatic transfer switch. The standby generator shuts off and moves into a standby mode where it awaits the next outage without interfering with the functioning of the utility power.
In an era of 24 x 7 global connectivity businesses cannot afford any downtime at all. For addional information regarding the importance of standby power for data centers, information technology services and control centers, please read our article Industries that Would be Affect Most by Power Outages. The benefits of full time functionality of IT operations far outweigh the costs associated with downtime and the subsequent losses incurred.
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