Relocating a Data Center? Better Use a Proven Methodology

Relocating a Data Center? Better Use a Proven Methodology

Businesses today rely heavily (perhaps too heavily) on technology and data. Think about all the electronic documentation, databases, electronic transactions, and digital images that are stored on your IT infrastructure and how important they are to everyday business operations. Your data center manages this information and makes it readily available to you when needed.

All is well and running smooth until your company undergoes a merger or acquisition, needs more space or power than your current data center can provide, has an expiring data center lease, or is looking to reduce IT costs. Any one of these factors may require a data center relocation, a data center migration, data center recovery or installation, or perhaps data center maintenance. Any data center relocation, or similar need, can be a daunting task and poses a serious risk of disruption or data loss. You don't just unplug a server and re-plug it in at a new location.

Data center relocations require expertise preferably an organization that has years of experience, a solid track record of success, and a structured, proven methodology. One methodology that I came across recently had 4 phases that help to create a seamless transition of technology and data to create that much needed business continuity.

Phase One Discovery and Data Collection. Essentially a comprehensive review and survey of the current data center, which includes inventory of current data and equipment, interviews with stakeholders to determine technology and business requirements. A detailed needs assessment identifies the path along which a smooth relocation is realized.

Phase Two Analysis and Design. Here technology needs are determined and planned. How much bandwidth is required to maintain the replication of the applications? How much storage will be needed at the new site? IP connections are established and documented at the old and new sites.

Phase Three Planning and Risk Management. A comprehensive data center migration plan is established with an in-depth risk analysis. The plan includes floor layouts, rack diagrams, and charts the matrix of migration priorities. At this point a dependency matrix is also developed since many pieces of data have complex interdependencies inherent in their usage. All data is replicated, tested, and then switched over to the replicated data for the move itself.

Phase Four Complete the Implementation. In this final phase, the move is made per the plans that have been laid out. Applications are shut down, DNS entries are propagated, and the applications are started back up at the new site. Testing is conducted at the new site before the old site is broken down.

A well thought out data center methodology, for relocation or migration, built from years of experience is critical in today's business environment so dependent on technology and the data it manages. Many businesses wouldn't survive long if they lost access to their data or even lose their data entirely. Data center relocation is a messy business best left to professionals.

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