Data Centers vs. Computer Rooms: What’s the Difference?

The differences between data center and computer room design don’t amount to a hill of beans for most people. The terms are often used interchangeably, but using them correctly makes a big difference if you’re trying to communicate with a data center design firm or an IT expert. If you want to sound like a pro, it’s important to know what sets data centers and computer rooms apart. Data centers are...

Dark Data Centers: Dream or Reality?

I was just contacted by Processor.com for my thoughts on this topic and thought it might be useful to share some information about it with you all here.If data center operators had only one wish, it would be this: build me a dark data center.Many of the daily problems that affect data centers have less to do with the design of a facility and more to do with variables introduced by human involvement....

Data Centers Go to Washington

Data center power and cooling issues are creating quite a buzz on Capitol Hill.In recent years, the power and cooling costs of the average data center have gone through the roof. Data centers rack up more than $3-billion in energy costs each year. That number is expected to rise dramatically within the next decade as more data centers are built. Adding to the energy drain are factors such as inefficient...

Data Center Solutions to Beat the Summer Heat

This summer, data center managers are sweating – and it’s not just because of the heat. As temperatures hit record highs this year, the increased demands placed on US energy grids have lead to brownouts and occasional blackouts. Between the soaring temperatures and the power outages, data center cooling systems and backup generators are getting a real work-out.The situation isn’t likely to improve...

Raised Floors - Still Relevant?

With the widespread use of serves installed in racks instead of legacy mainframe configurations, the use of ethernet cable in cable trays located above server racks instead of legacy wiring types beetween mainframe boxes, and finally the use of in-line cooling equipment and/or overhead cooling with ducted returns for cold aisle/hot aisle configurations, is the installation of an access floor a wise...

Data Center Planning is Critical to a Successful Project

Network downtime means lost revenue – and lost jobsImagine a scenario where you are coming under fire because your data center project is over budget and months late. Even worse, your management team pushed you to accept the architect’s idea of your computer room that today won’t even deliver the most basic needs - enough space, adequate security & fire protection, ample power, and sufficient...

Pete Sacco

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Data Center Design Blog Launch

Welcome,The purpose of this blog is to promote an open exchnage of ideas relating to the planning, design, engineering, and construction of data centers & computer rooms.More specifically, the intent is to discuss the design trends and industry standards relating to the support infrastructure technologies present in all mission critical environments including power, cooling, structured cabling,...