Datacenter facility sub-systems

Based on TIA-942 B
Datacenter facility sub-systems

A data center facility is a complex system comprised of several sub-systems that work together to
ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the data center. The following are some of the key sub-
systems of a data center facility:

1. Electrical Sub-system: This sub-system includes the power distribution infrastructure, such as
transformers, switchgear, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and backup generators.
The electrical sub-system is responsible for ensuring that the data center has a continuous and
reliable power supply.

2. Cooling Sub-system: The cooling sub-system includes air conditioning systems, chillers, and
computer room air handlers (CRAHs) that maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity
levels within the data center. The cooling sub-system is essential for preventing equipment
overheating and ensuring optimal equipment performance.

3. Mechanical Sub-system: The mechanical sub-system includes the plumbing and fire
suppression systems of the data center. This includes water distribution systems, fire
suppression systems, and other mechanical equipment to support the operation of the data
center.

4. Security Sub-system: The security sub-system includes physical and logical security measures
to protect the data center from unauthorized access, theft, and other security threats. This
includes access control systems, video surveillance systems, and intrusion detection systems.
 5. Network Sub-system: The network sub-system includes the routers, switches, cabling, and
other equipment that make up the data center's network infrastructure. This sub-system is
responsible for connecting the data center's servers, storage systems, and other equipment to
the outside world.

6. Monitoring and Management Sub-system: The monitoring and management sub-system

includes tools and software that provide real-time monitoring and management of the data
center's sub-systems. This includes monitoring of temperature, humidity, power usage, and
other key performance indicators, as well as management of the data center's assets and
resources.

Each of these sub-systems is critical to the proper functioning of a data center facility. To ensure that
the data center operates effectively, it is important to carefully design, implement, and maintain each
of these sub-systems, and to regularly test and evaluate their performance.

Which standard explains the data center sub-systems?

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) standard TIA-942-B provides guidance on the
design and implementation of data center facilities, including the different sub-systems that comprise a
data center. TIA-942-B outlines the requirements for the different data center tiers, including the
redundancy and fault tolerance of each sub-system. Additionally, other standards such as ASHRAE
(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and NFPA (National
Fire Protection Association) also provide guidelines on specific sub-systems of a data center, such as
cooling and fire suppression systems.

According to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) standard TIA-942-B, the data center
facility sub-systems are:

1. Building architecture and site location

2. Building structure

3. Electrical system

4. Mechanical system

5. Telecommunications system
 6. Fire suppression system

7. Security system

8. Management system

These sub-systems are further divided into different components and elements, depending on the data
center tier level and the specific requirements of the data center facility. The standard provides
detailed guidelines on the design, implementation, and maintenance of each of these sub-systems to
ensure the proper functioning and reliability of the data center facility.

Explain them in more detail

1. Building architecture and site location: This sub-system includes the selection of the site for
the data center facility, the building's architecture and layout, and the physical security of the
site. The site selection process should consider factors such as proximity to fiber optic
networks, availability of reliable power sources, and the risk of natural disasters such as floods
and earthquakes. The building architecture and layout should be designed to ensure the
efficient and safe operation of the data center. Additionally, physical security measures should
be implemented to protect the data center facility from unauthorized access.

2. Building structure: This sub-system includes the physical infrastructure of the building, such as
the foundation, walls, and roof. The building structure should be designed to withstand
environmental hazards such as high winds, floods, and earthquakes. The design should also
include considerations for the weight of the equipment, as data center equipment can be
extremely heavy.

3. Electrical system: This sub-system includes the power distribution infrastructure, such as
transformers, switchgear, and UPS systems. The electrical system should be designed to
provide a reliable and continuous power supply to the data center equipment. Redundancy and
backup power sources should also be included to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

4. Mechanical system: This sub-system includes the cooling and ventilation systems that maintain
the appropriate temperature and humidity levels within the data center. The mechanical system
should be designed to ensure that the data center equipment operates at optimal temperature
and humidity levels to prevent overheating and equipment failure.
 5. Telecommunications system: This sub-system includes the network infrastructure, such as
routers, switches, and cabling, that connects the data center equipment to the outside world.
The telecommunications system should be designed to provide high-speed and reliable
connectivity for the data center equipment.

6. Fire suppression system: This sub-system includes the fire detection and suppression systems
that protect the data center from fire hazards. The fire suppression system should be designed
to quickly detect and suppress any fires that may occur within the data center.

7. Security system: This sub-system includes the physical and logical security measures that
protect the data center from unauthorized access and other security threats. The security system
should include access control systems, video surveillance systems, and intrusion detection
systems to ensure the safety and security of the data center facility.

8. Management system: This sub-system includes the tools and software used to manage and
monitor the data center facility, such as monitoring of temperature, humidity, and power usage.
The management system should be designed to provide real-time monitoring and management
of the data center's sub-systems to ensure optimal performance and reliability

Data center Facility Sub Systems

According to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) standard TIA-942-B, the data center
facility sub-systems are:

1. Building architecture and site location

2. Building structure

3. Electrical system

4. Mechanical system

5. Telecommunications system

6. Fire suppression system

7. Security system
 8. Management system

These sub-systems are further divided into different components and elements, depending on the data
center tier level and the specific requirements of the data center facility. The standard provides
detailed guidelines on the design, implementation, and maintenance of each of these sub-systems to
ensure the proper functioning and reliability of the data center facility.

Explain them in more detail

1. Building architecture and site location: This sub-system includes the selection of the site for
the data center facility, the building's architecture and layout, and the physical security of the
site. The site selection process should consider factors such as proximity to fiber optic
networks, availability of reliable power sources, and the risk of natural disasters such as floods
and earthquakes. The building architecture and layout should be designed to ensure the
efficient and safe operation of the data center. Additionally, physical security measures should
be implemented to protect the data center facility from unauthorized access.

2. Building structure: This sub-system includes the physical infrastructure of the building, such as
the foundation, walls, and roof. The building structure should be designed to withstand
environmental hazards such as high winds, floods, and earthquakes. The design should also
include considerations for the weight of the equipment, as data center equipment can be
extremely heavy.

3. Electrical system: This sub-system includes the power distribution infrastructure, such as
transformers, switchgear, and UPS systems. The electrical system should be designed to
provide a reliable and continuous power supply to the data center equipment. Redundancy and
backup power sources should also be included to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

4. Mechanical system: This sub-system includes the cooling and ventilation systems that maintain
the appropriate temperature and humidity levels within the data center. The mechanical system
should be designed to ensure that the data center equipment operates at optimal temperature
and humidity levels to prevent overheating and equipment failure.

5. Telecommunications system: This sub-system includes the network infrastructure, such as

routers, switches, and cabling, that connects the data center equipment to the outside world.
 The telecommunications system should be designed to provide high-speed and reliable
connectivity for the data center equipment.

6. Fire suppression system: This sub-system includes the fire detection and suppression systems
that protect the data center from fire hazards. The fire suppression system should be designed
to quickly detect and suppress any fires that may occur within the data center.

7. Security system: This sub-system includes the physical and logical security measures that
protect the data center from unauthorized access and other security threats. The security system
should include access control systems, video surveillance systems, and intrusion detection
systems to ensure the safety and security of the data center facility.

8. Management system: This sub-system includes the tools and software used to manage and
monitor the data center facility, such as monitoring of temperature, humidity, and power usage.
The management system should be designed to provide real-time monitoring and management
of the data center's sub-systems to ensure optimal performance and reliability.