IT PROVISION
very flexible, and, depending on the internal configuration, can perform very well in high density applications. They are also stackable, and can be extended if specified as a requirement at the design stage. In an emergency, containerised solutions can also shine as part of a disaster recovery plan if already fitted out with the infrastructure, where they can be rapidly deployed to a site as a temporary solution.
If you are facing a data centre design and build challenge and any of the following resonate with you, then the containerised data centre approach is definitely worth consideration for some of the reasons below: n You need an Edge-oriented architecture – If you need to position your data centre (s) in a more distributed fashion, so that it (they) is/are near specific mechanical plant and equipment, or close to a fibre connection in a remote location, the containerised data centre is a secure and cost-effective way to achieve this, with considerably fewer barriers to overcome, before such a solution can be implemented.
n Finding the right site – In some locations it is simply impossible to house a new a data centre. This could be due to footprint, budget, or even local planning regulations. Often in these situations, a container can be a solution accepted by all, that can be implemented with a minimum of fuss or raised eyebrows from the Chief Financial Officer.
n Speed matters – If you need your data centre built quickly, then containerisation can substantially
Leave your misconceptions at the door
A container being lifted into place. Containers ‘can be very cost-effective, with minimal construction work required’.
shorten delivery times. Many companies offer them in standard, ‘ready to load’ configurations, but you can of course have the interior designed to meet your specific requirements, if your partner offers this.
n Building it offsite – There could be many reasons why you can’t build a data centre on site; for example, if it is to be located in a high traffic flow operational hospital area, or the data centre is only needed in a disaster recovery situation such as a flood, you may well want to keep it offsite. A containerised solution can be fully designed, fitted out, and tested, at a separate location. It could even be running in a separate location, mirroring servers at the main location, and can then be dropped in as a ‘clone’ when needed.
n It needs to be relocatable – If you need your data centre to be mobile, for example because it will be moving to another site in the future, then containerisation is an excellent solution. Containerised DCs are normally designed to shipping containing external dimensions, use the same interlock systems, and meet or exceed the same rigidity and load standards. Transporting them is thus a lot easier than sending individual components that must be re-assembled at the other destination. Secondly, it is possible, using the right partner, to get the container CSC (Container Safety Convention) insured if it meets this correct international shipping container standard, giving you greater peace of mind.
Containerised solutions can form small data centres, where – Secure I.T. Environments says – ‘they help resolve space, deployment time, build complexity, and cost challenges’.
62 Health Estate Journal July 2021
n Managing costs – Containers can be very cost-effective, with minimal construction work required. Their flexibility also means that future expansion is as simple as joining, or stacking an additional container, with no major modifications to buildings, or complete relocation required to find space on site for future needs.
The technology behind containerised data centres has developed considerably – thinking of them as ‘only a temporary solution’ is no longer a valid position considering the benefits we have outlined. One of the questions we encounter time and time again, when clients are considering how we should design their data centre, is ‘Can a containerised data centre maintain effective cooling, and achieve strong Power Usage Efficiency ratings?’ Traditional thinking says of course they can’t, but our experience has proven that they can deliver the same high standards as a modular or traditional data centre build. Essentially, they use the same equipment, including monitoring systems, and they are well suited to high density applications, where heat can be an issue, precisely because of the way containers are configured and fire rated. Also, where there are particularly stringent demands it is not too uncommon to have a second container which is responsible for housing switchgear, batteries, UPS, and cooling hardware, although it can be housed within container ‘rooms’ separate from load-bearing server racks.
The bottom line is that containerised data centres can be a serious contender as an approach to meeting the needs of a healthcare facility’s data centre needs. Don’t let the outdated thinking of others cloud your judgement, or you could be ruling out a solution that fits comfortably within your budget, and offers great opportunities for future expansion.
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Chris Wellfair
Chris Wellfair is the Projects director at Secure I.T. Environments, with responsibility for the design and deployment of data installations throughout the UK. He has ‘decades of experience’ in the industry, delivering challenging projects across a range of sectors in both the private and public sectors.
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