The Design and Organization of Data Centers/Location
Three Options: Own, Lease, or Co-locate
[edit | edit source]Own
[edit | edit source]Lease
[edit | edit source]Co-locate
[edit | edit source]- telephone company central offices
- carrier hotels
Considerations
[edit | edit source]Cost
[edit | edit source]Shop around to compare prices. Many co-location centers give initially inflated prices.[citation needed]
Taxes
[edit | edit source]Suitability
[edit | edit source]- Proximity to multiple major network backbones.
- Proximity to customers if that is a consideration.
- Distance to central office
Expandability
[edit | edit source]Convenience
[edit | edit source]Transportation
[edit | edit source]- Proximity to public transportation
- Proximity to highways
Capability
[edit | edit source]Loading Dock availability
[edit | edit source]Safety
[edit | edit source]Availability of emergency services
[edit | edit source]- fire insurance category
Safety from water damage
[edit | edit source]HVAC can fail in such a way that water comes out. Look out for pipes, vents, and ducts above your equipment. Air conditioners can freeze up and then thaw, water heaters can fail, ventilation ducts can pack with snow, toilets can overflow, etc. The building may be in a flood zone - does the insurance cover the damage? How long will it take to file the claim? Document who you must contact before the disaster happens.
Natural and manmade hazards
[edit | edit source]Natural hazards
[edit | edit source]- Wildfires
- Hurricanes
- Tornados
- Earthquake
- Mudslide
- Tsunami
etc.
Manmade hazards
[edit | edit source]- Proximity of pollution sources
- Transportation-related risks
- Risk of crime, violence, terrorism, etc.