Primus Telecom DC (Melb), network and rack information.
Specifically in the premium new (avail from: 24-Oct-2007) – latest “state of the art” section of this Data Centre.
This DC is acknowledged in the industry as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most advanced web hosting facilities.
Our network connects to Primus (which includes Telstra and Verizon Business) and AAPT in Melbourne, with local peering to PIPE Networks. which is controlled by CISCO routers and switches, with automatic fail over to redundant links should an outage occur. Primus has leveraged its vast experience in providing this facility which boasts leading edge technology and reliability, backed by a current market - upper end Internet Connectivity Availability - Service Level Agreement (SLA).
High Compliance to Best Practices, Attention to Detail & Enahanced Scalability (incl):
- Hot aisle / Cold aisle - Rack configuration Plus Perforated Rack: front and back doors, used throughout – for optimized cooling and air flow.
- With regards to the unperforated rack doors issue, it is a real concern how often the ‘old school’ comms. equipment style racks with eg. glass door – solid back type, are used in some dataCenters. With their very limited airflow, a sealed oven type of effect is created when heat is introduced from the installed equipment. In general the more high powered and the more the rack is filled with equipment, the higher the internal termperature and thus adverse effect to installed equipment.
- Whilst this wasn’t too much of an issue for eg. older (lower powered – cooler running) comms equipment, it is obviously very critical to the proper performance, reliability and longevity of today’s high powered equipment eg. servers (especially in a densely populated rack configuration, where heat generated will be greater and scope for cooling less – with little separation top and bottom).
With regards to the Hot aisle / Cold aisle - rack configuration, again this is a basic principle which is often overlooked, and is based on the following:
- Because of the front(Cold)-to-back(hot) airflow of systems, the ideal placement of the cabinets and racks have the system installed front to front and back to back (i.e. Hot aisle / Cold aisle layout)
- This layout enables cool air to flow through the aisles to the systems' front air intake and enables heated air to flow away from the systems' back exhaust to the air conditioner return ducts. This eliminates direct transfer of hot exhaust air from one system into the intake air of another system.
- Deeper depth: 1,000mm (locally manufactured, highly regarded) Hallam Racks. Again extra space available not only allows for greater range (eg. longer depth) of diverse equipment but also aids in air flow and cooling, as rack enclosure is more spacious – hence, enhancing air flow.
Enhanced Security:
- Fully compliant with Australian Communications Security Instructions 33 (ACSI33).
- Five physical security layers implemented.
- Each rack compartment is key locked (incl. sub full-rack eg. ¼ and ½ etc).
Furthermore each rack has a separately locked power outlet compartment which is inaccessible accept via request to DC personnel. This greatly minimizes issues eg. client accidentally switching off power – turning off equipment in entire rack. This is particularly pertinent for multiple client shared racks.
Fujitsu DC, Noble Park, Melbourne
Main Supply
- The IDC mains power supply is provided by a 22kV feeder, supplying a single 1500kVA 22kV/415V transformer.
- Power to all hosting systems is conditioned and supported by 4 high capacity UPS.
- Power is distributed through multiple Power Distribution Units (PDUs).
- The environment is supported via a high capacity generator supply.
- The generator has sufficient fuel capacity and is maintained onsite to provide approximately 83 hours of running capacity with priority fuel supply service.
- In the event of an interruption to mains supply, power loads will be temporarily supported by UPS battery power while the on-site generator is engaged. If the interruption is brief, the power loads will remain supported by the UPS, otherwise the power loads will be automatically transferred to the generator supply.
Air Conditioning
- The Melbourne IDC has 19 Process cooling units, of which four are separate air cooled units.
- All air conditioning units are supported by the emergency power backup systems.
Building Management
- The Melbourne IDC has a Building Management System (BMS) that provides automated control and monitoring of all building services and environmental support systems.
- Critical functions are alarmed and monitored 24x7 by staff for immediate intervention and control.
- Critical environmental services are continuously monitored.
Water Detection
- The Data Center has a water detection system in place. This system provides early warning of any water that may enter these operationally sensitive areas.
- The water detection system is integrated with the BMS and monitoring via the NOC.
Fire Detection and Suppression
- Fire detection systems installed in the Melbourne IDC include Passive Smoke Detectors (under floor, ceiling and above ceiling), Thermal Detectors (under floor, ceiling and above ceiling) and VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus). The fire detection systems are integrated with the BMS, and monitored by the NOC.
- VESDA detects early signs of smoke particles within the data centre by actively sampling the air.
- A wet-pipe recessed sprinkler system is installed throughout the facility for front-line fire suppression.
Security
- Physical and electronic security is managed by the Security/Administration office.
- Entry into the Data Center for visitors and customers is via the Main Reception which has a staffed Security Station. Access is strictly by appointment.
- Once within the Main Reception of the Melbourne IDC, a visitor or customer can be viewed from any angle. When ID has been confirmed visitors are issued with temporary passes, and are escorted at all times. A tight security clearance procedure is followed for IDC and Data Hall cage access by customers or known third party suppliers.
- Access within the IDC is controlled via card readers. Different security levels are used to control an individual’s access to the various rooms of the IDC.
- Customer security cages in the Data Hall are individually keyed. Issuing of keys is controlled by the Security/Administration office.
- CCTV cameras are active and will record any security breaches.
- The site has ASIO T4 certification.
- In 2006 the site obtained the ISO 27001 certification.
Cabling Topology & Data Providers
- Multiple telecommunications carriers are used to supply the external data communications links, enabling external connectivity redundancy. Currenlty these providers are Optus, Verizon and UECOMM.
- Category-6 cabling is used throughout the facility, and fibre-based connections can be used between the Data Hall and Node.
- The Communication room is designed and configured for ease expansion and deployment of future-technologies. Device changes can be deployed within the Node and cut-over to the Data Hall will minimal interruption.
- All cabling is laid in suspended trays that run under walkways between the caged areas. This design allows ready access for laying new cables to a new or existing cage, without having to enter a customer’s caged area.
- Power and data are segregated as per Australian electrical and telecommunications installation standards.