Data Centers – AHP Model

Ashok Bhatla andMohammad Mansour

What are Data Centers

“A data center (or data centre or datacenter or datacenter) is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and security devices.” (Source: WIKI Definition)

Data Centers are Information Factories

Components of a Data Center

ElectricitySystems

Cooling Systems

Humidity Control Systems Security

Systems

Telecom Systems

Compute Equipment

Facts about Data CentersServer racks now designed for more than 25+ kW

Typical facility ~ 1MW, can be > 20 MW

Cost of electricity equaling capital cost of IT equipment

1.5% of all electricity in the U.S. in 2006 ($4.5 Billion)

Growing at 12% per year (will double in 5 years)

Power and cooling constraints in existing facilitiesSource : http://www.doe.gov

Major Issues in Data Centers

Data Center Metrics Power Usage Efficiency (PUE)

Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) Energy Reuse Effectiveness (ERE)

Data Center Compute Efficiency (DCcE)

D.C Performance per Watt (DCPpW)

Source: http://www.thegreengrid.com http://www.hothardware.com

Data Centers in Remote Locations Google in Dalles, OregonMicrosoft and Yahoo in Quincy, Washington.Facebook in Prineville, OregonAmazon in Boardman, Oregon Intel in Sacramento

Data Center Map – North America

Source : http://www.datacentermap.com/

Purpose of the Study

• Develop a Decision Model for data center site selection for companies settings up their own dedicated data centers.

• Different Hosting Models like Co location, Managed hosting, Outsourcing etc. are also out of scope.

Goal of the Organization

• Setup a modern energy efficient data center with minimum cost, high computing power, at a desired location with low chances of natural disasters – providing best value to the business it serves.

Data Center Infrastructure Standard

ANSI/CSA/EIA/TIA 942Provides standards for planning of data

centers, computer rooms, co-location centers, trading floor equipment rooms, technology test labs and similar spaces.

Standard for determining the quality of a data center and for comparing data centers with each other.

HDM Methodology

Define Overall Key Decisions

Select Different Criteria and Factors

Select Different Alternatives

Gather Expert Opinion for Criteria & Factors

Measure and Identify Relative weights

Calculate Impact of criteria on overall

decisions

Conclude the best possible site for an IT

Data Center

Jobs Creation (F32)

Tax

Structure, Incentives and

Subsidies

(F31)

Laws related to Urban Planning

(F42)

Safety & Security, Crime

(F41)

Land Cost

(F21)

Building Construction

Cost

(F22)

Variable Costs – electricity

cost, property tax

(F23)

Disaster

Avoidance

(F11)Transport

Availability/ Accessibility

(F12)

Telecom

Network Availability

(F13)

Power Availability

(F14)

Water Availability

(F15)

Data Center Site Selection – HDM Model

Geographical

Factors

(C1)

Financial

Factors

(C2)

Political

Factors

(C3)

Social

Factors

(C4)

Respondents Profile

• Expert 1: IT Data Center Manager – responsible for operations of Data Center.

• • Expert 2: Facilities Planner – responsible for design and construction of

buildings• • Expert 3: IT Manager – responsible for infrastructure which includes all IT

equipment• • Expert 4: Finance Analyst – responsible for the NPV and ROI Analysis and

Budgeting etc.• • Expert 5: Electrical Engineer – responsible for Cooling and Power Issues in a

Data Center

Steps

PCM Calculations

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Interpretation of the DataCriterion Factors Desirability Values (0-100)

Alt1: Quincy,Washington

Alt2: Sacramento,

California

Alt3: Charlotte,N. Carolina

Alt4: Dalles,Oregon

C1: Geographical Factors F11: Disaster Avoidance 83 66 79 82

F12: Transport Availability/ Accessibility 66 85 85 71

F13: Telecom Network Availability 66 84 86 79

F14: Power Availability 87 73 83 83F15: Water Availability 77 65 74 81

C2: Financial Factors F21: Land Cost 85 65 70 85

F22: Building Construction Cost 81 74 72 86

F23: Variable Costs – electricity cost, property tax

87 68 76 83

C3: Political Factors F31: Tax Structure, Incentives and Subsidies 90 73 74 92

F32: Jobs Creation 74 77 75 67C4: Social Factors

F41: Safety & Security, Crime 85 69 73 85F42: Laws related to Urban Planning 84 62 63 83

Table 4: Ranking of alternatives against each factor

Discussion

Conclusion

Questions