Choose A Data Center

SLA (Service Level Agreement):

Although there is no compensation for your e-commerce site takes a hit for an hour, make sure there are strict SLA in place, which will provide some financial relief in case of failure.

Managed Hosting:

There is a compromise between the possession of the equipment (and keeping it at a data center), and using a managed hosting provider. Be sure to explore the pros and cons of both based on current and future needs of your business. If you have older equipment, do not want to staff up, IT is not your core competency, etc., then consider going to run.

Data Recovery:

No matter where you go ... make sure you have a recovery plan in place. Keep backups of any off-site and have a plan of action (hot spares, DNS change more, contact list, etc..)

Fire extinguishing systems:

What provisions are installing for fire suppression? Is it a regular sprinkler system, pre-action dry Pip, the gaseous CO2 or something else.

A water-based system is to protect the building, it will not protect the data systems or because you are spraying water on computer systems in the event of a fire. A system of pre-action dry pipe with the load only when there is a fire detected (smoke detectors and heat) is preferable because it prevents an accident of construction, where a sprinkler head is a shock or a pipe is broken to cause an incident.

CO2 gas, Energen, Halotron, Halon, etc. are the best, but more expensive. A combination of CO2, where power is managed (under the floor perhaps?) And pre-action sprinkler is above a small fire can be contained in the space on the ground before the water enters the equation.

One thing to be careful is that kind of hand portable fire extinguishers are in the data center space? Are they dry chemical? If it does, it's bad. Rubbish. Fire (eg in a trash can) that would not compromise the datacenter or building can be increased (in terms of protecting the data center) because when someone is going to fight that fire, they will perhaps put the fire (likely if small), but most likely spread of corrosive dust around the data center that require replacement cleaning systems professionals OR of them. Search halogens or CO2 type fire extinguishers in the data center for portable use.

Physical security:

Armed security guards are better than not reinforced, in my opinion. Better training (ie higher) and a more serious perspective on the security of the building and people. Guards are most likely to respond to serious problems are preferable to a retirement that is older, a night watchman who calls 911 when there is a problem.

Physical structure of the security is also important. What type of walls does the building? Are several layers of concrete blocks or just one layer? Is this glass? Bullet resistant glass (both in storms) and is there an inner layer between the glass and the rest of the installation?

Do they protection kits spill for the treatment of water leaks? If there is a major rainstorm and the roof is damaged, how will this impact the installation? Bad, a little, full stop? Search drip trays on critical infrastructure systems such as UPS and PDU.

Logistics:

Does the facility have a loading dock that is near the data center or close enough? If not, you will find it more difficult to get your systems to the data center to install them. A pretty good large door for the biggest pots and gear is important. Is there a laboratory where we can diagnose problems with your systems out there? A place where you can defend your systems if you need to? How will you find the final configuration work done on the site?

Generator:

The fuel supply can not be stressed. A large bunker on the site is a good thing to see. A contract with a fuel supplier to be able to provide additional fuel on a daily basis is also important. I saw one case where a call center was left without power because the emergency generator ran out of fuel after running for 24 hours. Nobody thought o check the generator and get a shipment of fuel for the call center.

Generator Maintenance can be as important. Periodic maintenance contract with a major service company is good. But having someone move the herd on the generator and power systems themselves is also important. Lots of little things that would not be recognized by a lot of rotation of mechanics would be noticed by someone who can get an idea of ​​all systems and conduct periodic audits. It could be as simple as pointing out that the No. 2 generator seems off and the realization there is an exhaust leak or as complex as a lubrication problem is that oil and periodic analysis of liquid cooling by a laboratory that specializes in these tasks.