[rescue] a 'data' rescue

[Lionel Peterson]

>From: Dan Sikorski <me at dansikorski.com>
>Date: 2008/03/24 Mon PM 02:05:24 CDT
>To: The Rescue List <rescue at sunhelp.org>
>Subject: Re: [rescue] a 'data' rescue

>Brian Deloria wrote:
>> What's it take to qualify for a "home data center"  ?
>>
>> One rack?  Two racks?
>>
>> Two phase power?
>>
>> At least 30A of power draw?
>>
>> Three or more arch'es?
>>
>> Outbound internet bandwidth I don't see as being a qualifier.
>>   
>There's probably not a hard line.  Just like the difference between a 
>business "computer room" and "data center"  The room I'm in now has five 
>racks, two phase power and is drawing over 50A, but I don't think anyone 
>would call it a datacenter, it's a computer room.  Biggest distinction 
>in this case would be that the room is also used for storage and office 
>space.

I think the big differentiator would be the work done to make the space suitable - cleaning out a cupboard and shoving a server in it is not a datacenter (IMHO), but if you clear out a room, add dedicated power circuits, and work to ensure proper air-flow through the room, then you're ont he right path.

I'm in the process of preping a corner of my basement for a "data center", but it won't be a room, but an area in the basement. I have one rack, I'll be getting another (if I'm lucky) at TCF next month, I'm calling in the electrician to add two 20 amp circuits, and I'm planning on getting proper power distribution units, along with a suitable pile of UPS to keep my "data center" up during brief power outages, and to cleanly shutdown after say 30 minutes.

When I'm done, I'd consider it a "data center", but opinions may vary...

Lionel