* Electrical problems, poor management round out top 10
Earlier this week we talked about the top five data center dangers, according to a study by IDC-MCS. The next five data center dangers are, in order, poor electrical grounding techniques, poorly maintained standby generators, substandard power distribution systems, ineffective raised floor systems and poor data center management.
IDC-MCS says IT administrators often install technology that allows grounding resistance of more than 2 to 5 Ohms. Keeping grounding resistance within acceptable levels will help prevent almost all voltage surges.
The study says standby generators and automatic transfer switches are often not maintained properly. Ill-maintained equipment will often fail when it is needed most. IDC-MCS says that maintenance is inexpensive and includes items such as regular oil changes, filter replacements and generator tests one hour a week.
Substandard power distribution systems took the No. 8 spot on IDC-MCS’ survey. Examples of substandard equipment include the absence of emergency power-off switches or the addition of equipment without recalculating the total rack amperage requirements.
Poorly sealed raised floors can result in the loss of as much as 25% of the pressure created to cool equipment, IDC-MCS says. Large bundles of cables can block airflow or cause turbulence that can create inefficiencies.
Last, IDC-MCS indicts data center managers. They say that a data center’s uptime is ultimately dependent on the people managing it. Often this is a result of poor training or of not following operations protocols.
Steve Ritzi, director of marketing for IDC-MCS, says that enterprises fail to pay close attention to these data center dangers because they only update their data centers every five years.
