Onsite Tier 1 Micro Data Center

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Note: Tier I will be defined as follows, A data facility with no guarantee or redundancy of IT facility infrastructure.

The Micro Data Center (MDC) is centralized computing facility with stable and accessible IT infrastructure to support specific instructional and computational research efforts within the College of Science and Technology.  

Located in SERC Room 759, MDC is an approximately 1,300 square-foot space containing two APC hot isle containment units consisting of 18 racks each with a total facility of capacity of 1620 units. This facility houses a variety servers and storage devices in a clean, secure and controlled environment. Computer rack air conditioning (CRAC) units provide constant cooling and humidity control. Stable power is provide using a Schneider Electric/APC power conditioner and UPS battery backup power supply.

Additional infrastructure components

  • Process building chilled water cooling to APC inline units.
  • Two supplemental/Bk-Up Schneider Electric CRAC units
  • Pre-action HFC 125 Fire Suppression system and a wet sprinkler system
  • Building power to UPS tied into Emergency Generator*
  • Room Monitor by Siemens Apogee control system

*Building or campus wide shutdowns may impact equipment and cause downtime. All users should acknowledge policies, procedures, and unique requirements of work in this tier 1 micro data center to avoid unplanned outages and respond to anticipated events)

Facility Operations/Protocols

Physical Access and Staffing
  • Room access is limited to approved users or user groups.
  • Access by non-users must be authorized and or escorted authorized users. Visitors should sign onsite visitor log.
  • Currently, there is no onsite staffing of the facility. 
Security
  • The PI is responsible for revoking users in their groups who no longer require/need access the facility. This done by submitting quest using the university “Building Access Request” system located in the TU Portal. Director of CST-IT will be the primary access coordinator for this room.
  • After hour building access is limited via card swipe.
  • Floor access is restricted using elevator card swipe.
  • User should be restricted to designated personnel. card swipe only.
  • User is responsible for managing the data security of their software and hardware.
Maintenance and Management
  • Users are responsible for day to day operation and maintenance of their equipment. (CST-IT support is limited)
  • Requests for hardware support should be submitted through the TU Help system.
  • Facility infrastructure is supported by OFM and external vendor(s)
  • Facility infrastructure questions or concerns can be directed to the Office of the Dean (i.e. Assistant Dean for Facilities and Space, Associate Dean for Research, Director of CST-IT).
  • User is responsible for installation and removal of their IT equipment from the data center. Where applicable, CST-IT may be requested to assist/coordinate initial physical hardware installation and coordinate with central university IT services.
  • Users should fully utilize existing rack space before requesting additional racks.
  • For safety and system operational function, user(s) must reattach U spacer covers to empty rack spaces.
  • User is required to notify Assistant Dean for Facilities and Space, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Director of CST-IT in advance of any reduction of the number of equipment racks.
  • Users agree to follow all guidelines for working in the facility
Housekeeping
  • Server room should be kept clean at all times; Debris and trash is to be removed from room.
  • Non-installed equipment, cabling and tools must be removed from the facility.