Colocation data centers provide tenants with high availability, secure infrastructure hosting. They do this by leveraging investments in redundant power, environmental, networking, and security systems. Continuous monitoring of key parameters is critical to assure data centers function properly. Alerts are generated in real-time whenever a threshold is exceeded. Though there are many conditions that can be tracked, here are 7 of the most important parameters to be monitored.
Power
Power is the most important thing to monitor in a data center. Power is so vital that most facilities have several layers of redundancy to automatically back up the utility power that comes from the electric company. When primary power is interrupted, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems take over. Generators back up the UPS systems for longer term power until utility power is restored. Though power backup is automatic from utility power to UPS to generator, alerts are issued to data center personnel when a problem is first detected so they can determine the cause of the power outage.
Heat
Temperature ranges are monitored in the data center to make sure air conditioning systems are functioning properly. Elevated temperatures can damage IT systems and interrupt operations. Alerts are issued in real-time whenever a temperature threshold is exceeded in the data center.
Humidity
Relative humidity is also measured and reported whenever a reading is outside of an established range. Too much or too little humidity can affect performance of servers and other information technology systems.
Network
Colocation data centers provide a variety of internet bandwidth services. Since connectivity is essential, automatic failover to a redundant backup service is frequently employed. Network performance parameters such as packet loss counts, and total loss of internet service are monitored and reported.
Colocation clients have the option of procuring their own internet connectivity or they may procure these services from the data center. Clients who get internet services through the colocation data center benefit from automatic failover to a backup internet service provider circuit. Some colocation providers also monitor each client’s internet service availability. An alert may be issued if service is unavailable for a specified period of time (i.e., typically 2 minutes). Clients may be contacted to let them know there may be a problem with their firewall or some other problem that is impacting internet access.
Fire
Fire suppression systems are installed at locations throughout the data center. These systems report alerts to the data center engineers and to the building supervisors in the event that a fire suppression system is deployed.
Water
Monitors are placed in the raised floor areas in the data center to detect water and other fluids.
Data Center Access
People with authorized security cards may enter the facility at any time. However, all entry to the data center is logged and the activities of people in the data center are video recorded 24/7/365. Doors to the data center will issue an alarm whenever they are opened by someone without proper credentials or whenever doors are left open for more than a few seconds. When data center access alerts are issued, staff can review video images to determine if activity in the data center requires their attention.
Colocation data centers such as CAPS rely on proactive monitoring to assure that availability, performance and security is maintained at the standards required by our clients. Much like the wild rabbits of Connecticut whose very survival depends on keeping alert, our sensors work continuously to make sure all systems are functioning properly.
