On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at the HP Technology Forum and Expo in Las Vegas, Nev., Adaptive Infrastructure Consultant for HP, Russ Wagner, presented the introductory breakout session on Strategies and Best Practices for Constrained Data Centers. He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap and breaking down the silos between data center administrators and facility managers — especially in any discussion involving transforming an existing data center or designing new facilities.

Wagner suggested that those facilities guys have a “bit” of experience and knowledge in important things like Ohm’s law, the three power phases, the pros and cons of low voltage versus high voltage power supplies, and the all important conversion factor from BTU to Watts. They also may know a thing or two about industry standards such as NFPA 75, International Electrotechnical Commission standards, National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards, or BICSI cabling standards. Facility managers also will have familiarity with complex cooling standards, facility weather dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Getting the facility folks in the mix is important when considering a new data center, but considering the knowledge and codified industry standards that are available through key organizations including the Uptime Institute, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), and the United States Green Building Council are also important. Membership in AFCOM was also suggested as a great way for data center personnel to share their knowledge and experience, and a great way for new entrants to the data center to learn from those who have been there and done that. He also suggested that data center managers and operators get involved in the Sustainable IT (aka Green IT) movement. Examples of this include The Green Grid, Climate Savers Computing, and the EPA Energy Star program for servers.

One of the main reasons that Wagner suggested involvement in and edification about these programs is because of the the critical resource constraints in data centers beyond the obvious power and space constraints, is experienced people. This is such a pertinent and timely issue, it was the topic of an article in the same day’s publication of The New York Times, “Demand for Data Puts Engineers in Spotlight.” The aging workforce that has worked in the evolving data centers of the past and learned the lessons is getting ready for retirement, said Wagner. This leaves a knowledge gap, and the best thing that older workers nearing the retirement point can do is join the organizations and help drive standards and information. The best thing that new entrants can do is learn from these sources of information. Together, these measures can help alleviate the big picture data center asset constraints.