Ifyou’re running out of capacity at your current data centre and lookingto build a new one in-house, you may want to think twice, according toQ9 Networks Inc.
Tomeet the demand from more and more Canadian enterprises choosing tooutsource their data centres, the Toronto-based data centreinfrastructure provider has begun a $50 million project to create athird Calgary-based data centre facility. CEO Osama Arafat said thatwhere most Canadian data centre projects fail is in the company’sinability to think to the future.
“Peopleare realizing that building and operating a data centre is not part oftheir core competency,” he said. “The best way to be future proofed isby outsourcing your data centre. If the service provider doesn’t keepup with your demands, you can always move to another data centre. Butif you build your own, you’re at the risk of making a mistake as yourbusiness continues to grow.”
ForIT managers that want to avoid doing it themselves advice and go with ahosted provider, Arafat advised companies to keep on the lookout for afew things. Features such as outside air cooling capabilities, HeatingVentilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) and fire suppression systems, andredundant power systems, Arafat said, top the list of must haves for aservice provider.
“Coolingwise – specifically if the building permits – we try to use outside airto save on energy costs,” he said. “Anytime the temperature outside iscool enough, we’ll switch to that versus mechanical cooling. Especiallyin Canada, you need take advantage of the cold climate.”
Havingredundant power, Arafat added, means that you’ll never have a singlepoint-of-failure in your facility. “So, you’ll want to make sure youhave more diesel generators then you need, for example. That way, if asingle component breaks down, it doesn’t impact your power, HPAC, ornetwork.”
Andin addition to having reliable technology running your data centre,Arafat stressed the need for air tight security as well. At Q9’sCalgary facilities, the company has implemented biometric securitysystems, in addition to a 24 hour a day security team.
“Inour data centres, access is controlled through biometric security,” hesaid “Employee’s can only authenticate themselves through their fingerprints.”
