Ensuring High Availability In Data Centers and Networks

Data centers have become synonymous with the concept of high availability and redundancy. Based on virtualization and utilizing cloud computing technologies, these data centers are known for offering their clients a level of availability they would be unable to achieve on their own. This virtualization allows the data center to treat the various servers like appliances. Not all work at the same time to achieve the desired result. Rather, one network or server runs while others are in place to support when needed. The result? Continuous availability for customers and increased reliance on data centers.  What many fail to realize, however, is that there are a number of factors related to availability and redundancy to consider when designing a data center.

Considerations For Designing High Availability Data Centers:

More Is Not Always Better: People mistakenly believe that the more redundancy a data center offers, the higher the level of reliability. This is not always the case. Availability and redundancy should be designed around the needs of the infrastructure. Data centers with excessive levels of redundancy (those that surpass the needs of the business) actually tend to experience less reliability because the complexity of the network lends itself to failures and outages.
Generators Fail: One place where redundancy is vital is with your data center’s generators. A recent report showed that up to 15 percent of generators fail after a mere 8 hours of running time and, even if the generator does not fail, the system is opened up to a host of issues that result from continuous generator use. Backup generators are critical to your data center and network’s availability.

Redundancy is About More Than Tier Requirements: Too many companies believe that the level of redundancy your data center offers is directly related to the tier technology level being utilized. In reality, physical location, building construction and equipment quality all factor into determining the level of redundancy experienced in your data center. Be sure to assess these factors when designing your data center and network.