* A framework for talking about data centers
One of the great things about data center technologies is that they cover such a broad spectrum. In this newsletter, we’ve looked at traditional data center topics such as facilities management, power and heat dissipation. We’ve also examined “next-generation” technologies such as virtualization and utility computing. And we’ve covered a lot of ground in between.
What we haven’t done – until now – is define the key disciplines that form the core of data-center architecture, and map the technologies critical to each discipline. Those disciplines and technologies include:
* Storage. “Data” is the focus of any data center, and data storage, management and retrieval is a critical discipline. Data-center storage encompasses both “live” data, which is accessed and processed frequently, and various “shades” of near-live data, which is stored on slower media or offline archival media. Key technologies are storage-area network, network-attached storage, direct-attached storage, virtual SAN, Fibre Channel and FCIP, and InfiniBand.
* Computing. Enhancing legacy computers such as mainframes are newer computing architectures such as open systems and various types of clustered, virtualized and partitioned server resources. Key technologies include operating systems (Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.), enterprise applications (CRM,ERP, etc.), clusters, virtual machines and server load balancing.
* Networking. This discipline includes the high-performance LAN, WAN and MAN networks required both within the data center proper, and linking the data center to the rest of the enterprise. Key technologies include core routers, server interconnects and storage networking.
* Management. The glue that holds the data center together, management encompasses monitoring and alerting, audit trails, change management, trouble ticketing, root-cause analysis, systems management, patch management, etc. Key technologies include: SNMP and syslog, plus a variety of proprietary tools and technologies.
* Facilities. This is the physical infrastructure of the data center. Uninterruptible power, back-up generators and batteries, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), fire suppression, physical-access security, disaster proofing (floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes).
These five disciplines are the pillars of the data center. But they’re not the only components about which architects should be concerned. Security, one more discipline we have frequently discussed, cuts across all five of the core disciplines and affects many aspects of data center design and operations. Security encompasses three primary goals that are data-centric:
* Confidentiality. Ensuring data is only accessed by authorized parties.
* Integrity. Ensuring data can only be modified by authorized parties.
* Availability. Ensuring data and applications are not disrupted (intentionally or unintentionally).
Furthermore, in all of the above disciplines, we are seeing several parallel transformational trends:
* Consolidation. Concentrating resources in fewer data centers.
* Standardization. Reducing the number of different technologies and adopting open standards.
* Virtualization. Breaking application or business unit specific silos and creating resource pools.
* Utility. Delivering data center resources as “services” with associated costs and (sometimes) tiers of service with service-level guarantees.
Clearly, data centers encompass many different technologies. Each company may “rank” the various disciplines differently, representing different organizational cultures and business goals. The five core disciplines and associated trends, however, provide us with a coherent framework for discussing data centers. We will continue to discuss each of these in upcoming articles.
