Data Center Management

Data center management refers to the role of an individual within the data center (data center manager) who is responsible for overseeing technical and IT issues within the data center. This includes computer and server operations, data entry, data security, data quality control and management of the services and applications used for data processing.

Data center management integrates into other IT systems for complete data synchronization including virtual systems, proprietary systems, and automation. Data center management requires a number of tools, IT policies and strategies to create and maintain a secure and efficient data center.

The data center is responsible for the management of large data sets and hardware systems that are part of an organization’s large distributed network serving employees and customers. Data center management plays a crucial role in protecting data and keeping it secure to avoid data security breaches.

The hosted computer environment within a data center must continuously be managed, but most of this management is now automated. Data centers can be managed remotely and may not even house actual employees (dark or lights-out data centers). Functions of data center management include upgrading hardware and software/operating systems, managing data distribution and storage, backup policies, contingency planning, and technical support.

What are some of the Data Center Management Challenges?

Modern enterprise data centers are some of the most technically sophisticated infrastructures on earth. Ironically, they are also often rife with inefficiency, with equipment utilization well below ten percent and nearly 30 percent of the servers being zombies (consuming electricity but performing no useful service). Data center operators also struggle to keep pace with rapid changes in deployments of computing equipment. This leads to the discussion of Data Center Management Best Practices.

• SLA management – Customer dissatisfaction and business loss
• Cost of downtime regarding personnel & productivity
• Securing Data Center Networks
• Government restrictions
• Technology Refresh
• Disaster Recovery
• Scalability

What are some Data Center Management Best Practices?

There are 3 primary phases to Data Center Management

• Monitorand Visualize the details and activities across all systems and locations
• Analyze how to utilize the data center more efficiently to save energy and space or increase the utilization of existing equipment
• Automate the action layer, which allows for synchronized management across the silos of facility, IT hardware, networks, and applications.

These primary phases:

• Ensure that you provide the highest fidelity in connectivity
• Support sustainability and longevity of the facility
• Assure availability of power to servers and data access to users
• Embrace change in business demands and technology
• Guard against known and unknown threats and unauthorized access.