Undergraduate Admission
    Graduate Admission

    Data Center Architecture, IT-M 535

    About this Course:
    The course deals with building integrated data center information infrastructures, including facility, hardware, software, and network components as solutions to particular enterprise information management needs and requirements. Students will learn critical elements of modern data center design including physical plant construction; network infrastructure; data storage technologies; power provisioning and conditioning; environmental controls and HVAC; system and physical security; modular component use; and planning for growth.

    Currently Scheduled

    In Progress

    Prerequisites:
    IT-O 440 (Introduction to Data Networks and the Internet)
    IT-O 454 (Operating System Virtualization).

    Expected Outcomes:
    Upon completion, participants should be able to:

    • Will possess an understanding about how to design a modern Data Center, and how to participate on projects that involve Data Center Design and Construction.
    • Will possess the ability to understand and describe the business drivers and constraints that influence Data Center design and construction.
    • Will be able to effectively understand and communicate with Architects, Engineers, Facilities and Contractors during the design and construction of a new Data Center or a Data Center upgrade or expansion.
    • Will be able to understand and describe the most critical issues and components that affect the design and operation of production Data Centers.
    • Will be able to identify and determine the importance and usefulness of new trends and technologies that will affect the design and operations of modern Data Centers.
    • Will have a solid understanding of Data Center Economics and the financial drivers that impact the design, construction and operation of modern Data centers, and be able to communicate these as part of a project delivery process.
    • Will have a solid understanding of issues related to Data Center safety, security as well as some of the compliance frameworks that help document and ensure that organizations are in compliance.
    • Possess an understanding about the operational role and responsibilities of a Data Center Manager in a modern Data Center.

    Course Outline:

    • Introduction, Course Overview, Computing & Data Center History, Data Center Design Lifecycle
    • Concepts and Constants / Data Center Design & Build Projects
    • Data Center Planning: Location, Facility Space Usage, Floorspace
    • Data Center Planning: Racks, Cabling, and Zone Distribution
    • Architectural Standards & Facilities Introduction
    • Data Center Power
    • Data Center Cooling
    • Data Center Safety, Security, and Compliance Frameworks
    • Data Center Networking, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
    • Asset Management, Data Center Economics and the Changing Data Center Landscape
    • Asset Management, Data Center Documentation and Case Studies: Tiny, Small, Medium, and Enormous Data Centers
    • Data Center Modules or "Containers"
    • Future Technology Directions and Their Impacts on the Data Center
    • More Data Center Documentation and The Life of a Data Center Professional
    • Greening of the Data Center
    • Applying fundamental principles of good Data Center design and construction

    Instructor:
    William F. Slater III