Are you worried about relocating your data center? Are you not able to find the most apt way to change your setup safely? We know that because of the critical nature of IT infrastructure, any miscalculation can lead to costly downtime, data loss, or operational disruption.
On the contrary, successful relocations can optimize performance, reduce costs, and improve the reliability of machinery.
Are you looking for something similar? Well, just stick to this write-up, and we will run you through the entire process!
A Glimpse Of Findings On Data Center Relocations:
Sometimes, it is not only about the process but rather about the factors associated with it. From this perspective, the relocation of data centers has a lot of running costs linked.
Take a look at some of the recent reports:
The downtime costs businesses an average of $260,000 per hour. It highlights the importance of minimizing disruptions while moving data centers.
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60% of companies change the location of their data centers due to rising operational costs in existing facilities.
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Steering Through Perfect Data Center Relocations:
Data centers are at the heart of modern business operations, housing critical IT infrastructure, databases, and applications that drive daily functions. Over time, businesses outgrow their accommodations, either due to technological advancements, space limitations, or evolving business requirements. We know the process is quite intricate. However, as always we got you covered.
For your ease, we have simplified it into pre-phase, ongoing, and post-phases
Pre-location planning phase:
Before embarking on a data center move, it is pertinent to clearly define the goals of the relocation.
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Identification of Business Needs and Objectives:
Do you know that understanding the objectives will shape decisions regarding the new location, equipment upgrades, and the overall approach to migration? Ultimately, the new setup would turn out to be working effectively.
Therefore, it can rightly be said that defining objectives early ensures that all stakeholders understand the project’s rationale, timeline, and functioning criteria.
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Effective Communication Between Service Provider And Owner:
Effective communication is essential for a successful relocation. The engagement between key stakeholders across IT, operations, finance, and business management is a must thing. You need to set up cross-functional teams to ensure that the requirements of all departments are considered and designate a project manager to oversee the entire process.
To add on, having executives on board will help ensure organizational alignment, while technical leads can provide insights into critical application and network dependencies that must be maintained during the move.
Example:
If you are looking forward to relocating to a software house, you will need technicians, developers, and IT experts. To overlook the entire project, a site or project manager should also be present.
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Risk Assessment and Mitigation:
Don’t worry! We know that you are concerned about the risks associated. Therefore, we recommend you conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential challenges that could arise during the relocation process.
Common risks include:
- Hardware damage
- Data loss downtime
- Cybersecurity threats
Mitigation strategies are necessary to rescue possible risks. This could involve:
- Implementing redundancy plans
- Establishing detailed contingency plans for each step of the process
- Effective utilization of insurance policies that cover equipment damage during transport
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Detailed Documentation Of IT Asset Inventory:
You need to underscore the importance of documentation of all IT assets. This majorly includes:
- Servers
- Networking equipment
- Storage devices
- Running applications
Pro Tip:
This documentation should include the equipment’s specifications, configurations, and operating conditions.
| Did you know?
An accurate inventory lists help in coordinating the physical relocation and ensures nothing is overlooked during reinstallation at the new location. |
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Visualizing the Importance Of Mapping Application Dependency:
Did you know that understanding the relationships between various applications and systems is crucial to maintaining operational integrity during the move?
Example:
For instance, if a particular server runs multiple mission-critical applications, moving that server without maintaining those dependencies can lead to cascading failures.
Pro Tip:
Therefore, you need to use automated tools to map application dependencies and identify systems that must be integrated to avoid service disruptions.
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Final Testing and Validation before relocation:
Before the actual move, you conduct multiple tests to validate the migration plan. This includes testing backup and restore procedures, verifying application dependencies, and running simulated moves of low-priority systems.
Pro Tip:
Make sure that you carry out testing as it ensures that all aspects of the move are accounted for and helps in identifying unforeseen issues.
Re-location Process – Selecting the Right Place for Your Data Center:
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How can you move your data center correctly?
For effective relocation of your data center, you may consider the following approaches:
| Phased Approach
The idea behind this approach is that the equipment and applications are migrated in stages. It helps in ensuring that critical systems remain online throughout the process. The added benefit is that this strategy minimizes downtime but may extend the total relocation timeline. |
Big Bang Approach
It involves moving all systems at once, resulting in a faster relocation However, it comes with increased risks of prolonged downtime. Therefore, you need to choose the strategy based on your:
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Equipment Handling and Transport – Deal With Care:
We know that this is the most important part for you. Well, physically moving sensitive IT equipment requires specialized expertise. We recommend you hire professional movers who have experience with data center relocations.
You need to make sure that they have the proper packaging materials, vehicles, and protocols to prevent damage to your equipment.
(iii) Post-Relocation Activities – Finalizing things for you:
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Walking you through the last step – Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting:
Once the equipment is set up in the new location, you need to perform comprehensive testing to verify that all systems are operational. For this purpose, you need to monitor performance metrics for several days to ensure that applications are functioning properly and that no issues arise due to the migration.
| Did you know?
Post-move support is essential for addressing any troubleshooting issues that may arise. Therefore, you need to have the technical team on standby to respond to unexpected problems or disruptions. |
Concluding thoughts:
Data center relocation is a high-stakes operation that, if done correctly, can lead to improved efficiency, reduced operational costs, and optimized infrastructure. However, it requires careful planning, coordination, and execution to avoid disruptions.
We recommend you adhere to the best practices outlined in this guide—thorough pre-planning, rigorous testing, appropriate risk mitigation, and effective stakeholder engagement. These steps will help you can ensure a smooth and successful data center move!
FAQs:
I am worried about the relocation of my data center. How can I carry it out seamlessly?
The process may seem daunting, but with the right approach, data center relocation can be a strategic move that enhances your organization’s overall performance.
Is the relocation of data centers a DIY task?
Well, it depends. If you have the equipment and required expertise, it should be a DIY task. However, we have tried to elaborate on every related point to make it easy for you!
What’s the cost of this relocation?
The costs may vary. However, an average relocation may cost around $10,000 to $120,000 per rack!
How much time does it take to relocate my data center?
Well, this depends on the size of your data center company. At an average, it may take 6 months or so!
