Data Center Maintenance: Essential Tools and Equipment

The smooth and proper functioning of any organism depends on the timely identification of problems and their elimination. A data center is a complicated organism, where dozens of units are interconnected and communicate with each other, forming a complex system. Thus, a server room is a functioning body that requires regular examination and hazard elimination.

Failures in operation happen to any organism. Human bodies tend to get sick or catch a cold, for instance. Digital bodies can also face breaks or malfunctions. Timely maintenance and examination help prevent breaks, eliminate the risk of malfunction, and timely identify hazards.

Server Room Inspection Checklist

Data center inspection is carried out by professional authorized system administrators. The staff has a data center maintenance checklist to comply with requirements and not forget some duties. Below, let’s have a deeper look at each stage of DC inspection and serving.

External Inspection

Any maintenance should start with a visual assessment of the system condition. Just walk through server cabinets and loot at hardware, cables, and accessories. Answering the following questions will help make a comprehensible visual examination:

• is the area wet or dusty?
• are all light bulbs illuminated?
• are cables loose or raptured?
• is there an unusual noise in the room?
• do you feel comfortable in terms of the temperature (isn’t it cold or hot)?
• do all hardware pieces function properly?

If you answer some questions abnormally, it is a reason to consider maintenance more deeply and start a further examination.

Cleaning

Regular wet cleaning is required since the accumulation of debris and dirt leads to more serious problems, up to equipment overheating and downtime. Thus, it is important to clean active and passive hardware, fan blades, posts, and accessories from debris that flies in the air and settles on surfaces.

Make sure to clean data centers correctly. IT equipment is vulnerable to moisture so it is necessary to use a damp (but not wet!) cloth for cleaning devices.

Testing

You probably know that it is easier to prevent damage rather than repair it. For businesses, it means saving costs on DC arrangement and maintenance. Thus, regular testing of system algorithms and devices can prevent facilities from downtime and the need to buy new hardware. The following tests are performed:

• stress test;
• fail-over examination;
• emergency backup.

Not only the software but also the rooms themselves require testing. For instance, fire suppression systems should be tested timely. Professional employees are hired for this task.

Monitoring

It is essential to set the control system to monitor performance and get timely alarms in the case of malfunctioning. This feature allows for simplifying system monitoring and getting regular reports. By installing a reporting system, IT specialists can control and monitor environmental and system indicators remotely.

Climate control reporting systems are the most popular and needed type of monitoring tool. They are installed in all server rooms obligatorily.

Repairs

Even if some components fail to work, it is crucial to replace and repair them timely. Neglecting this issue will lead to the situation worsening and even major breaks. After all, any equipment break means downtime, which results in loss of money and datum for facilities.

Safety Checks

Here, two types of safety issues are subdivided:

• cybersecurity by protecting datum from hacking and theft;
• physical security (lock on doors, biometrical passes, etc.) for preventing unauthorized people from entering data centers.

Modern manufacturers offer multiple ways to secure data centers and hardware. Special cabinets and cages are offered to accommodate and store equipment. Locks, surveillance systems, and biometrical pass algorithms are implemented to secure datum and physical devices.

Readiness for Disaster

This point implies getting your DC prepared for a disaster. Is the staff trained on what to do in the case of a disaster? Do you have backup generators, HVAC tools, and battery banks installed in server rooms?  This rule is of particular importance for seismic-active regions. The data center should be ready to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Ensure Uptime by Creating Redundancies

When performing tech duties, system administrators may need to unplug the IT system. In such cases, redundancies are created. These redundancies will power system units and components during maintenance works. There are 4 tiers of backup redundancies, which differ in the guaranteed uptime, efficiency, and running hours. They allow for avoiding the interruption of the functioning cycle.

Keep Indoor Climates Stable

Telecommunication hardware (computers, servers, routers, monitors, etc.) is vulnerable to environmental changes. Any surge of humidity or temperature can result in overheating, break, and downtime. Too high temperature leads to overheating, while too low temperature results in increased energy consumption. Improper humidity conditions cause condensation, rusting, or the accumulation of static charge. This is why it is crucial to maintain an optimal climate inside server rooms.

Create Stronger Testing Protocols

Setting new more powerful architectures require prior testing. When dealing with the creation of a reliable protocol, it is necessary to pass three stages: building, testing, and running. This algorithm allows for eliminating failures when architectures are introduced to operation. Even major system crashes (NYSE) could have been prevented if they would apply this rule.

Staff for Operating & Maintaining Server Rooms

The competence, knowledge, and expertise of the maintenance staff play a crucial role. The effectiveness of system performance depends on the correctly done duties. Thus, it is important to train employees on how to apply data center operations and maintenance best practices to do their duties correctly and thoroughly. Skilled employees will do their duties correctly and won’t cause unintentional damage due to unacquaintance.

Taking preventative measures helps avoid equipment damage, extra expenses, and system downtime. Thus, it is recommended to stick to the rule of 4 P’s (Preventive, Procedures, Protection, and Purity). Mentioned steps and techniques help guarantee the smooth performance of network system units and prolong the hardware lifecycle. Never neglect preventative measures and timely maintenance if you want to enjoy the long life of your IT system.