Understand the design, construction and operation of data centres with this easy-to-use reference

Data centres are spaces where computer systems, physical network technology and associated components are housed, operated and monitored, and any industry or business that employs computer systems or networked systems at any scale will interact with data centres. Data centres are complex and expensive to build and operate, and successful project delivery requires a wide range of specialised knowledge and skills. This accessible reference lays out the requirements for creating these essential facilities.

Data Centre Essentials is a comprehensive survey of the essential principles of data centre design, construction and operation. It is designed to provide those involved in a data centre project or providing professional service deliverables to the data centre industry but do not have a technical background or deep sector experience with the understanding required to participate in such projects. The non-technical language and thorough engagement with key considerations make it ideal for anyone looking to understand one of the pillars of a digital society.

Data Centre Essentials readers will also find:

• An authorial team with decades of combined experience in engineering and construction consultancy
• Detailed information about every stage in the process, including securing investment and the building process
• Working lexicon of key data centre terminology

Data Centre Essentials isa must-own for contractors, engineers and construction project managers involved in data centre projects and will be invaluable for professionals such as lawyers, financial and insurance advisors, surveyors, engineers and architects who do not necessarily have deep domain experience but find themselves involved in or are interested in engaging in, data centre projects.

Vincent Fogarty is a consultant with 40 years of experience working on construction and engineering projects. He is a fellow of the RICS, a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a specialist in mechanical and electrical engineering and quantum matters.

Sophia Flucker is an engineering consultant with extensive experience in data centre design, commissioning, and assessment, with years of experience working on projects in multiple countries. She received an Infrastructure Masons IM100 Award in 2020 in recognition of her contributions to the digital infrastructure sector.

0.1 Foreword TG

0.2 Preface VF

0.3 Contents SF

1 Introduction VF

2 What drives the need, and the various types of data centres

On Premises, Cloud, Colocation, Edge VF

3 Site Selection

selection criteria, due diligence, contractual commitments, power availability, fibre availability, risk avoidance, demise, infrastructure, property issues, geopolitical risk, networking, and clusters VF

4 IT Operations and the evolution of the data centre

The beginning of IT infrastructure, bringing Enterprise IT to maturity, IT applications as standalone products - the digital economy, the commoditization of IT infrastructure, the great outsourcing of enterprise IT and the growth of the co-location model, when digital products scale - or the invention of hyperscale, a change in architecture - the rise of cloud infrastructure, the problem of an old IT philosophy MS

5 Overview of infrastructure

Key components of a data centre’s physical infrastructure: power, cooling, monitoring (BMS), fire detection, protection/suppression, security SF

6 Building a Data Centre

Stakeholders and project stages, pre-project, pre-design, defining a design brief, data centre classifications, standards, certifications, design, peer review, bricks & mortar versus modular build, procurement, construction, commissioning, handover, operation   SF

7 Operational Issues

Handover, legacy facilities, operations team, uptime and failures, maintenance processes & procedures, managing change, capacity management, training, performance optimisation SF

8 Economics, investment, and procurement of data centres

The fundamentals of investment appraisal, ROI model parameters including, rack density, cost of energy, market positioning / competitive edge, lease options and co-location VF

9 Sustainability

Corporate sustainability, energy consumption & energy efficiency, renewable energy, generators, water usage, heat recovery, life cycle impacts, green building certifications, policy and regulation SF

10 When things go wrong

Legal, construction and engineering case study reviews to provide the reader with what may go wrong and some context on the resolution process. AM

11 Around the Corner, what could happen next

Innovations and future trends. SF

12 Glossary of Terms All

13 Acronyms All

14.1 Index Tbc

14.2 Acknowledgements All

14.3 About the Authors All