
How do we decide which data centre standard to build a new data centre to and who can certify that it meets the requirements of the standard?
There are a number of interpretations of what is known as the Tier, Rating or Class of a data centre.
The aim of each of these is to classify the resilience of a data centre infrastructure.
Different standards focus on different aspects of the data centre but the key criteria to focus on in terms of availability are the most critical aspects of the data centre; Power, Cooling and Communications.
The general principle is as follows;
Tier/Rating/Class | |
1 | Enough items for the system to function |
2 | Some redundancy in components |
3 | Concurrent maintainability i.e. the ability to maintain any item of infrastructure without having to shut down the IT equipment. |
4 | Automatic fault tolerance. The system continues operating in the event of a failure without human intervention. |
Power | Tier/Class/Rating | |||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
EN50600 | Supply: Single source Distribution: Single path | Supply: Redundant source – single path to primary distribution equipment Distribution: Single path - redundancy of components | Supply: Redundant source – multiple paths to primary distribution equipment Distribution: Redundant path Compartmentalisation of redundant elements | Supply: Multiple source - multiple paths to primary distribution equipment Distribution: Redundant path - fault tolerant except during maintenance via redundancy of components Compartmentalisation of redundant elements |
TIA942 | UPS: N arrangement Generator: No redundancy | UPS: N+1 arrangement equipment level, single path Generator: No redundancy | System allows concurrent maintenance Generator: N+1 | Fault Tolerant Generator: 2N |
The Uptime Institute | No redundancy | N+1 redundancy on some components | Concurrently Maintainable (1 active and 1 passive power path in backbone and 2 simultaneously active paths to critical equipment from UPS) | Fault Tolerant Compartmentalisation of redundant elements |
Cooling | Tier/Class/Rating | |||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
EN50600 | Single system | Single system with redundant devices | Multi path concurrent repair / operate solution Compartmentalisation of redundant elements | Multi path concurrent repair / operate and fault tolerant solution Fault Tolerant Compartmentalisation of redundant elements |
TIA942 | No redundancy | N+1 redundancy for mechanical equipment. Loss of electrical supply path or water supply (where applicable) could lead to a loss of cooling | N+1 redundancy for mechanical equipment to allow for concurrent maintainability. Temporary loss of electrical power or interruption of water supply (where applicable) will not cause a loss of cooling, but may cause temperature to elevate within operational range of critical equipment. The switchover from N to +1 may be performed manually. | N+1 redundancy for mechanical equipment to allow for Fault Tolerance. Extended loss of supply path of power or piping (where applicable) will not cause loss of cooling outside operational range of critical equipment. The switch over from N to +1 should be fully automated. |
The Uptime Institute | No redundancy | N+1 redundancy on some components | Concurrently Maintainable | Fault Tolerant Compartmentalisation of redundant elements |
Telelcoms | Tier/Class/Rating | |||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
EN50600 | Single-path using direct connections | Single-path using fixed infrastructure with redundancy on the ENI (External Network Interface) | Multi-path using fixed infrastructure with redundancy on the ENI (External Network Interface) | Multi-path using fixed infrastructure with diverse pathways and redundant distribution areas with redundancy on the ENI (External Network Interface) |
TIA942 | Cabling, racks, cabinets, & pathways meet TIA specs | Rating 1 requirements plus… Diversely routed access provider entrances and maintenance holes with minimum 20m separation | Rating 2 requirements plus… Redundant access provider services – multiple access providers, central offices, access provider right-of- ways Redundant Entrance Room Redundant Backbone cabling and Pathways | Rating 3 requirements plus… Redundant Main Distribution Areas (if present) Redundant intermediate distribution area Redundant Horizontal Cabling and Pathways |
The Uptime Institute | Not Part of the Standard | Not Part of the Standard | Not Part of the Standard | Not Part of the Standard |
We can see from the tables above that whilst the detailed descriptions in the standards documents may differ, the high level requirement for each of the standards is essentially the same for each of the four levels. This is essentially as shown below;
Tier/Rating/Class | |
1 | Enough items for the system to function |
2 | Some redundancy in components |
3 | Concurrent maintainability i.e. the ability to maintain any item of infrastructure without having to shut down the IT equipment. |
4 | Automatic fault tolerance. The system continues operating in the event of a failure without human intervention. |
Data Centre Certification
There is a great deal of confusion over certification of data centres. In this section we will seek to clarify the situation.
One of the objectives of standardisation is to enable the determination of whether or not a product, process or system meets a set of minimum requirements. In the case of a data centre the demonstration of that compliance (conformity assessment) can be ascertained by one of three procedures described as:
a) 1st Party (carried out by the contractor/supplier),
b) 2nd Party (carried out by the user or operator) and
c) 3rd Party (carried out by a neutral and independent body).
The EN 50600 series and TIA 942 are written without preference to one of these procedures, leaving the decision to the owner/operator.
The decision about which approach to take depends on what the owner/operator is hoping to achieve by assessment and certification.
There is nothing to stop an owner/operator from relying on a contractor or supplier for assessment or even carrying out the assessment themselves. However, it is important to consider whether the individual carrying out that assessment has the requisite, knowledge, skills and experience to make a credible assessment.
The preferred method of assessment would normally be to employ a 3rd party who is neutral and independent and has the requisite, knowledge, skills and experience to make the assessment.
Unlike the bodies who publish the TIA and EN standards The Uptime Institute is not a formal standards body, it is a commercial consultancy which is part of The 451 Group. They have attempted to restrict the use of the phrase Tiers in connection to data centres.
Individuals can become Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designers, as Capitoline’s Directors have done, and can therefore help create designs to meet the Uptime Institute Tier criteria. However, only the Uptime Institute can provide certification because it is a branded product which utilises the Uptime Institute logo.
The Uptime Institute charges a substantial fee for auditing and certifying data centres against their Tier topology standard. As a result many organisations prefer to use either the TIA 942 Rating system or increasingly the more comprehensive EN50600 Class system to assess the resilience of their data centres.
If you require assistance with designing to Uptime Institute, TIA942 or EN50600 standards or you want certification to TIA942 or EN50600 then please contact us.
If you wish to learn more about auditing then please look at our DCAF Data Centre Auditor Facilities Course or to learn more about data centre design try our DCD Data Centre Design Course.
Here is a list of the current EN 50600 documents at the time of writing;
Overview
EN 50600-1:2012. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. General
concepts.
Design
EN 50600-2-1:2014. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Building
construction.
EN 50600-2-2:2014. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Power
distribution.
EN 50600-2-3:2014. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures.
Environmental control.
EN 50600-2-4:2015. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures.
Telecommunications cabling infrastructure.
EN 50600-2-5:2016. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Security
systems.
Operations and Management
EN 50600-3-1:2016. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Management
and operational information.
EN 50600-4-1:2016. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Overview of
and general requirements for key performance indicators.
EN 50600-4-2 AMD1. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Part 4-2.
Power Usage Effectiveness.
EN 50600-4-3 AMD1. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures. Part 4-3.
Renewable Energy Factor.
Technical Reports
CLC/TR 50600-99-1:2018. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures.
Recommended practices for energy management.
CLC/TR 50600-99-2:2018. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures.
Recommended practices for environmental sustainability.
CLC/TR 50600-99-3:2018. Information technology. Data centre facilities and infrastructures.
Guidance to the application of EN 50600 series.
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How do we decide which data centre standard to build a new data centre to and who can certify that it meets the requirements of the standard?
In this Whitepaper we discuss the key data centre standards which most operators are interested in certifying against, what the differences are and who can certify data centres against them. Find out the difference between the Tier, Rating or Class of a data centre…
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