Data Center Requirements

A data center built according to tier 3 data center specifications should satisfy
two key requirements: redundancy and concurrent maintainability. It requires

at least n+1 redundancy as well as concurrent maintainability for all power and
cooling components and distribution systems. A component’s lack of
availability due to failure (or maintenance) should not affect the infrastructure’s
normal functioning. These specifications have to be met only from the power,
cooling and building infrastructure fronts till the server rack level. Tier 3 data
center specifications do not specify requirements at the IT architecture levels.
By leveraging the following steps, your data center’s power supply
infrastructure can meet the tier 3 data center specifications.
Stage 1: Power supply from utility service provider
The Uptime Institute regards electricity from utility service providers as an

unreliable source of power. Therefore, tier 3 data center specifications require
that the data center should have diesel generators as a backup for the utility
power supply.
An automatic transfer switch (ATS) automatically switches over to the backup

generator if the utility power supply goes down. While many organizations
have just a single ATS connecting a backup generator and power supply from
the utility service provider, the tier 3 data center specifications mandate two
ATSs connected in parallel to ensure redundancy and concurrent
maintainability. The specifications however, don’t call for the two ATSs to be
powered by different utility service providers.
Stage 2: Backup generators
Tier 3 data center specifications require the diesel generators to have a

minimum of 12 hours of fuel supply as reserves. Redundancy can be
achieved by having two tanks, each with 12 hours of fuel. In this case,
concurrent maintainability can be ensured using two or more fuel pipes for the
tanks. Fuel pipes can then be maintained without affecting flow of fuel to the
generators.
Stage 3: Power distribution Panel
The power distribution panel distributes power to the IT load (such as servers
and networks) via the UPS. It also provides power for non IT loads (air
conditioning and other infrastructure systems).
Redundancy and concurrent availability can be achieved using separate

power distribution panels for each ATS. This is because connecting two ATSs
to a panel will necessitate bringing down both ATS units during panel
maintenance or replacement. However, the tier 3 data center specifications
require two or more power lines between each ATS and power distribution
panel to ensure redundancy and concurrent maintainability. Similarly, each
power distribution panel and UPS should also have two or more lines for the
same purpose.
Stage 4: UPS
Power from the distribution panel is used by the UPS and supplied to the
power distribution boxes for server racks as well as network infrastructure. For
example, if a 20 KVA UPS is required for a data center, redundancy can be
achieved by deploying two 20 KVA UPS or four 7 KVA UPS units.
Redundancy can even be achieved with five 5 KVA UPS units.
The tier 3 data center specifications require that each UPS be connected to
just a single distribution box for redundancy and concurrent maintainability.
This ensures that only a single power distribution circuit goes down, in case of
a UPS failure or maintenance.
Stage 5: Server racks
Each server rack must have two power distribution boxes in order to conform
to tier 3 data center specifications. The servers in each rack should have dual
power supply features so that they can connect to the power distribution
boxes.
A static switch can be used for devices which lack dual power mode features.
This switch takes in supply from both power distribution boxes and gives a
single output. The static switch can transfer from a power distribution box to
another in case of failures, within a few milliseconds.
About the author: Mahalingam Ramasamy is the managing director of 4T

technology consulting, a company specializing in data center design,
implementation and certification. He is an accredited tier designer (ATD) from
The Uptime Institute, USA and the first one from India to get this certification.

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A data center built according to tier 3 data center specifications should satisfy

two key requirements: redundancy and concurrent maintainability. It requires

Stage 1: Power supply from utility service provider

The Uptime Institute regards electricity from utility service providers as an

An automatic transfer switch (ATS) automatically switches over to the backup

Stage 2: Backup generators

Tier 3 data center specifications require the diesel generators to have a

Stage 3: Power distribution Panel

Redundancy and concurrent availability can be achieved using separate

About the author: Mahalingam Ramasamy is the managing director of 4T

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