Data centers are seeing increased usage as we leave the analog world behind. Even though the demand for cloud-based storage is increasing and shows no signs of stopping, this isn’t necessarily good news for data centers. Without infrastructure that will grow with the demand, your data center could fail under the influx of businesses needing data storage.
That doesn’t have to be the case. Preparing for growth now will prevent expensive costs later. Check out these tips on improving data center profitability.
Plan for Natural Disasters
One of the biggest threats facing data storage involves the planet—climate change. Natural disasters can cause damages that will destroy servers and hardware and cause downtime that will cost you thousands or millions of dollars. But there are climate control measures that can protect your data center from floods and fires.
Network Diagram
Having a network diagram that accurately depicts servers, switches, and cables will increase the efficiency of your data center. With a topography, new employees will understand the infrastructure faster, reducing training costs. This diagram will also help you optimize systems more easily. Implementing a network topography can be tedious and time-consuming, but having an existing network diagram will help you manage your resources.
Remove Zombie Servers
Zombie servers are servers that haven’t had any activity for six months or more. These dead servers take up much-needed rack space, utilize equipment, and increase energy costs. Zombie servers can take up a third of your data center space, costing you wasted energy costs and lost space. Removing zombie servers will free up needed cables and racks and will lower your electric bill.
Preventative Maintenance
One of the essential tips on improving your data center profitability is reducing downtime. Data center downtime can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars an hour. Regularly scheduled maintenance can assess your power and cooling infrastructure for aging and potential malfunctions that could lead to sudden downtimes.
With climate control measures, preventative maintenance, and a comprehensive network diagram, you can increase your data center profitability.
