Data Center & Server Relocation Planning and Execution

 

Most companies thought that data center relocation was a once-in-a-lifetime event until recently. Current forecasts for data center relocation are predicting 3-5 moves and 53% of companies expect to do so in the next few years. How can your company plan a successful server relocation and data center planning?

 

Server movers and data center movers are familiar with the requirements for a successful move. Your IT team will work closely with you to minimize downtime and maximize performance before, during, after, and after the move. Selecting a partner with the knowledge of the intricacies encountered during a move can make the difference between a smooth transition and a potential nightmare. Comprehensive Planning

 

Companies that plan to move their servers and data centers must be well-prepared. For a successful relocation of data centers, it is crucial to coordinate with both the company and the server movers. This was illustrated by the mistakes made in the State of Oregon.

 

The state spent $20 million to build a new site and completed the move of 11 agencies into the new facility at $43 million. The 55-watts per square foot was not sufficient to meet the Department of Consumer and Business Services' requirements, so they had to return to the original location. The Department of Education was unable to move into the new facility due to data security concerns. The absence of a solid disaster recovery plan was also noted.

 

It is crucial to protect your company from similar problems and meet the strategic goals that precipitated the move. This will make the difference in a smooth and successful transition. The team that you select for your data center relocation is a key factor in making sure your company is successful.

 

When addressing hardware issues related to a relocation of a data center, there are many issues. Experts recommend that upgrades are not implemented at this time, even if it seems like the best time, especially if they relate to software.

 

The first step should be strategic long-term planning. Moore's Law, which Moore stated in 1965, basically predicted that computer technology would double every 2 years. Although this rule has remained largely true, it is now projected that computer technology will double every 12-18 months. This means that you need to plan for possible upgrades earlier than usual. This is a great opportunity to address the problem and develop a long-term plan.

 

Server Relocation planning and execution depends heavily on the skills and experience of professional data movers and server movers, working with the IT team to ensure a smooth transition and minimal downtime.

 

Success is Key

Selecting the right team coordinator is key to a successful relocation of data centers. Because it is such a niche industry with special challenges, most companies don't have the staff to provide this expertise. A key element to a successful relocation is having an internal coordinator who works with the server movers and data center movers.

You must choose an external coordinator who can adapt to your company's needs and resources. They will be responsible for creating a timeline, milestones, pre-planning, as well as identifying the risks and impacts of the move. They will also create an execution plan, which includes shutdown times, wiring requirements for new locations, cooling requirements, and many other important items that are often overlooked.

 

Data Center Relocation Planning Documentation

You should have all the documentation needed to give a complete overview of your plan. The following items should be included:

·         An organized, detailed and comprehensive list that includes diagrams of all current uses. All hardware, software, wiring and support processes should be documented. This allows you to decide what should be kept and what should go. While this seems to be the right time to replace obsolete technology, there are some reasons why it is not. We'll get to that in a moment.

·         Visualize your ideal work environment. Plan which processes will be most successful during the relocation. This stage will document details about the move and whether any servers will need to be updated, modified in virtualization or upgraded.

·         At stage three, a relocation plan should be created that will outline the steps needed to get from where your company is now to where you want it to be in the future. The blueprint should include the following items: budgeting, prerequisites and shut-down and restart timelines.

A detailed implementation plan should be included by the coordinator. Each department will be interviewed to determine the importance of each process and how they were rated. It is important to minimize downtime and negative effects during relocation. Employees may be concerned about the relocation if they are given an hourly schedule detailing what will be moved and what will need to be closed down.

Although it may seem obvious, hiring a sufficient-sized crew to physically execute the move is crucial. It is crucial to have logistics specialists with the necessary experience to pack, move, unpack, and set up the system. The team should include competent technicians who can properly reinstall it.

Do not underestimate the difficulty of the move. Most likely, your company will need to hire internal specialists. They are familiar with your environment and software. Depending on your individual needs, the amount of help that you need can vary. This should be discussed with the vendor before you hire server movers or data center movers.

To work with professionals, put together a solid team of staff members in your own company. This team should not only include IT personnel, but also managers. Everyone should be involved and fully understand the potential effects and aspects of the move.

Although the above plan might seem straightforward, there are still pitfalls that could make it difficult to relocate a data center. It is possible to identify potential problems early on, which can reduce the likelihood of problems that your team will face. Although each situation and relocation are unique, it's a good idea for your team to be aware of potential pitfalls.

 

Data Center Movers and Server Movers Need You to Avoid These Problems

Poor planning is a problem that can be avoided. Communication is one of the most important functions a team can perform. The IT department can help the relocation team understand the interdependencies within the company network. This will prevent any accidental shutdowns and ensure that everything is up and running in the right order. It is important to double-check the hardware lists and accurately estimate server requirements and hardware in order to have a successful move.

The State of Oregon fiasco shows that wiring and electrical requirements are essential. Get a realistic estimate of how much electricity you are currently using and what upgrades will be required. These figures may not be relevant to IT. This area often has higher costs than expected. Real numbers are essential. It is also an opportunity to examine whether the property is going to be purchased or leased. Also, this is a good time for you to determine who will be responsible for any future wiring upgrades.

Before you move, identify your current operation and baseline costs. This will give you a baseline to compare the future. This can help you avoid many internal problems that may arise after a move.

Experts believe that upgrading after a move causes fewer problems. Users can continue their work if everything is in order for an upgrade. However, if the upgrade is delayed until after the move, they will still be able to complete the planned upgrade. However, there are exceptions, such as networking gear and re-IP. These items have no impact on the software but make it easier to move.

Hire an experienced professional to handle the move. Each department has its own specialties. IT may think they understand the system well, but they might not have the necessary knowledge to successfully move it and reinstall it.

Avoiding these common pitfalls will make it easier to transition smoothly. You should plan for future expansion before you move.

 

Cooling Processors

Proper cooling is crucial with today's fast processors. Project managers must assess the cooling requirements of your equipment and make comparisons to determine if they are adequate. This task should be assigned to a member of your team who will conduct extensive research and take responsibility for the entire move. The cost of cooling can make up a significant portion of day-to-day operations expenses. However, without proper cooling, the whole operation could be at risk.

 

Server Movers: What You Need to Know

Although it may seem ironic to physically move a virtual machine from one place to another, it is vital that you do it correctly. Server movers are professionals who understand the importance of the machinery and will transport it with care. There are movers that will just dump it on a flatbed and break the legs or simply set it in the building. We must be careful.

After this stage, your company's in-house IT staff and any server movers you have hired will be on a first-name basis. To avoid any problems during the move, assign someone from each team.

·         Over the years, cables that lead nowhere are often left behind on servers. Ask IT to remove unnecessary cables before you move. This will make the moving process easier and faster.

·         Before you move, make sure to check with the efficiency team to confirm that any cooling, power and space issues are addressed.

·         Before removing any items, check for dependencies with the configuration design software.

·         Everything must be labelled, charted, and diagrammed. Every piece of equipment and cable must be reinserted in the appropriate slot to continue working after the move. The list and diagram should be kept safe.

·         When changing cabinets, mirror power is required.

·         In the cabinet, list the exact location of each piece of equipment.

·         Labeling mounting rails is important. To ensure that hardware is correctly placed after a move, it can be labelled with the corresponding rails.

·         To remove equipment from racks, use a certified infrastructure handling system specifically made for data centers.

·         Do not move cupboards or racks that are empty. This will prevent damage to racks and server equipment.

·         Before you reload the racks, clean and repair all.

It is worth taking the time to do it correctly. It can be difficult to move full cabinets and racks. This will cause downtime and increase the cost of replacing damaged equipment. You can see the end of this stage cisco panama, but you shouldn't make any shortcuts. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for, and you want it a success. Server movers must then recommission and test the equipment in order to make sure it runs as smooth as possible after relocation.

 

Expectation Checklist Data Center Movers

Even though they are technically two separate projects, coordination between your server movers and data center movers will ensure smooth relocation. This is the wrong time to clean up the data base, just as when you are changing software systems. This should be done before or after the relocation. This checklist gives a brief overview of the issues and expectations that need to be addressed by your team.

Although the physical relocation and relocation of hardware is often the main focus of a relocation project's efforts, most companies consider the database to be the core of their business. It is important to remember to move the data. It doesn't matter if your company gives ownership to specific teams or views it all as one system. It is important to consider how applications interact with each other after a relocation.

Although server relocation and data center can be done together, this is a large project that should be handled on its own. Additional changes such as tiered storage or other modifications can increase the cost and cause downtime.

Collaborate with IT professionals, colleagues, and data center movers to devise contingency plans and worst-case scenarios. They shouldn't be a problem if you plan well. However, it is possible to identify them early and address them in order to avoid a disaster.

Document, inventory, and diagram all that is possible. Even if the records are temporary, a loss can have a catastrophic impact on a company. Lost databases can have negative ramifications on orders and possibly lead to loss of customers. This could also impact your financial base.

 

Tips to make your Server Relocation planning and execution a success

During the relocation of servers and data centers, there will be some downtime. A well-planned plan is crucial for a smooth transition, as shown above. Although it may seem daunting, the process can be managed with good planning. These are some tips to help you plan for the relocation of your server or data center.

·         Start with a plan. Although every move must be tailored to your company's needs, there are some best practices that can make moving easier. These plans are well-known and can be adapted to your specific circumstances by professional data center movers or server movers.

·         To ensure that clients aren't frustrated by your relocation, contact them a few weeks before the move.

·         It is important to plan your move in advance. The entire process can take several months depending on how large your business is and the items being moved.

·         Your current staff shouldn't be overloaded. IT staff may have a lot to do with maintaining the current system. They are often called upon to assist the movers. It is important to discuss their roles and arrange a time that they can work with the movers.

·         Plan around application managers. The back-end move will cause development and applications to stop. They will need adequate notice and a timeline.

·         Discuss any issues that your company might have encountered during a previous move. If you are concerned that the experience could be repeated, discuss your concerns and make a contingency plan.

·         As a reference point, you can use the current baselines to compare after the relocation.

·         If possible, plan down to the hour.

·         Discuss who is responsible for replacing any items and whether the movers have spare parts. These items could be as simple as cables or screws.

 

Execution

It is now time to start the process of disassembling, transporting, then putting everything back together. Server movers and data center movers with experience will use a proven method to perform relocations in a timely manner. What should you expect?

·         Experienced technicians who know every detail and aspect of the move. They should also have copies of the diagrams and timelines.

·         Trucks and packing materials that can be transported without damaging hardware.

·         Communication is essential throughout the entire process.

·         The project manager should always be available to supervise the project and address any concerns.

After the move is completed successfully, designate someone to sign off. Data center relocation planning and execution requires communication. You should choose movers with experience and whom you feel confident in. They will be an integral part your team during and after the move.