Cloud computing and Security

Data Center Report

Individual Assignment

Name :Bikila Tariku

UGR/8089/14
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents Page

1. Data Center Infrastructure Fundamentals – International Perspective ………. 1
1.1 Types of Data Centers …………………………………………………………….. 1
1.2 Main Components of a Data Center…………………………………………………1
1.3 Data Center Systems and Solutions………………………………………………… 2
1.4 Data Center Standards ………………………………………………………………2
1.5 Hot and Cold Aisle in Data Centers …………………………………………………2
1.6 Data Center Tier Levels or Classification……………………………………………2
1.7 Data Center Design…………………………………………………………………...2
2. AAiT Data Center Infrastructure – AAiT Perspective……………………………….3
2.1 AAiT Data Center Type………………………………………………………………3
2.2 Main Components of the AAiT Data Center………………………………………….4
2.2.1 Facility………………………………………………………………………………4
2.2.2 PowerSystems……………………………………………………………………….4
2.2.3 Cooling Systems…………………………………………………………………….5
2.2.4 Fire Safety…………………………………………………………………………..6
2.2.5 Security Systems……………………………………………………………………7
2.2.6 Management Systems……………………………………………………………….9
2.3 AAiT Data Center Systems and Solutions……………………………………………9
2.3.1 Servers………………………………………………………………………………9
2.3.2 Storage Systems…………………………………………………………………….9
2.3.3 Networking ………………………………………………………………………..10
2.3.4 Backup and Recovery Systems…………………………………………………….11
2.4 AAiT Data Center Standards………………………………………………………...11
2.5 AAiT Hot and Cold Aisle Data Center System……………………………………...12
2.6 AAiT Data Center Tier Classification……………………………………………….13
2.7 AAiT Data Center Design……………………………………………………………13

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 Introduction:

1. Data Center Infrastructure Fundamentals – International

Perspective
Data centers are the cornerstone of the digital revolution, enabling seamless data storage,
processing, and connectivity across the globe. Their infrastructure embodies a sophisticated
integration of technology and design, governed by internationally recognized principles and
standards to ensure reliability, efficiency, and scalability.

This section explores the foundational elements of data center infrastructure from a global
perspective. By drawing insights from established frameworks and best practices, it highlights
how modern data centers meet the demands of technological advancement while adhering to
sustainability and operational excellence. Understanding these fundamentals provides a roadmap
for designing and managing data centers that align with the needs of diverse industries, including
education, research, and enterprise operations.

1.1. Types of Data Centers

Data centers are classified based on their function, ownership, and scale:

 Enterprise Data Centers: Dedicated facilities owned and operated by organizations for
internal IT needs.
 Colocation Data Centers: Facilities providing shared space, power, and cooling for
multiple clients.
 Cloud Data Centers: Operated by cloud service providers, offering scalable services via
the internet.
 Edge Data Centers: Smaller facilities placed near end-users to reduce latency and
improve speed.

1.2. Main Components of a Data Center

A typical data center consists of:

 Facility Components: Physical spaces, including server rooms, network operations

centers (NOC), and backup facilities.
 Infrastructure Components: Servers, storage devices, networking equipment, and
power/cooling systems.
 Security Systems: Access control, video surveillance, and firewalls.

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1.3. Data Center Systems and Solutions

Modern data centers deploy advanced systems to improve efficiency and reliability:

 Monitoring Platforms: Real-time performance and environmental monitoring tools.

 Redundancy Systems: Generators, UPS systems, and backup servers ensure
uninterrupted operations.
 Virtualization: Tools like VMware optimize resource utilization and simplify
management.

1.4. Data Center Standards

International standards such as ANSI/TIA-942-B define best practices for:

 Power and cooling efficiency.

 Cable management.
 Physical and network security.
 Scalability for future needs.

1.5. Hot and Cold Aisle in Data Centers

Hot and cold aisle configurations enhance cooling efficiency:

 Servers are arranged in alternating rows.

 Cold air is supplied to the front of the servers, while hot air is expelled at the back.
 Containment systems isolate hot and cold zones to prevent air mixing.

1.6. Data Center Tier Levels or Classification

Data centers are classified into Tier I to Tier IV based on uptime and redundancy:

 Tier I: Basic with no redundancy.

 Tier II: Redundant capacity components.
 Tier III: Concurrent maintainability.
 Tier IV: Fault-tolerant infrastructure.

1.7. Data Center Design

Design considerations include:

 Physical Layout: Raised floors for cooling and cable management.

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  Logical Design: Efficient IP addressing, hierarchical network design, and disaster
recovery plans.
 Scalability: Modular designs to accommodate future growth.

AAiT DATA CENTER

Introduction
In today’s digital era, data centers are crucial for managing, storing, and processing immense
amounts of data. These hubs of computational power are essential for modern educational and
research institutions. The AAiT (Addis Ababa Institute of Technology) Data Center is a beacon
of innovation and efficiency, supporting the technical needs of its students, faculty, and
researchers.

This report offers a comprehensive analysis of the AAiT Data Center, modeled from the AAU
6kilo Data Center. It discusses its design, infrastructure, and operations, while emphasizing its
role in fostering technical education and cutting-edge research. The detailed breakdown of the
center’s components ensures a deep understanding of its functionalities and best practices.

2.1. AAiT Data Center Type

The AAiT Data Center, modeled after the AAU 6Kilo Data Center, operates as a hybrid facility
combining features of multiple data center types to support the academic, research, and
administrative needs of the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology. Primarily functioning as an
enterprise data center, it is owned and operated by the institution to manage internal IT systems
and ensure secure data storage and processing. Additionally, its design aligns with cloud data
center capabilities, offering scalable resources for academic and research workloads, and
incorporates aspects of edge data centers, ensuring low latency and high-speed connectivity for
users within the campus. This versatile setup, supported by redundant power, advanced cooling,
and secure networking, ensures reliability, scalability, and uninterrupted operation for critical
educational and institutional functions.

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2.2. Main Components of AAiT Data Center

2.2.1 Facility

2.2.1 Space

The AAiT Data Center occupies a strategic location within the main campus, leveraging a
meticulously designed layout to accommodate critical IT and administrative operations.

 Power House (30 m²): Hosts essential infrastructure like generators, UPS systems, and
electrical panels.
 Network Operations Center (25 m²): A dedicated space for real-time monitoring and
network management.
 Raised Floor Area (100 m²): Supports cooling mechanisms and houses server racks.
 Warehouse (20 m²): Stores critical equipment and spare parts.
 Meeting Room (20 m²): Provides a collaborative space for IT discussions and strategic
planning.

2.2.2 Power

Any data center needs uninterrupted power supply for proper functioning. Thanks to Ethiopian
Electric Light and Power Authority (ELPA), the data center is functioning properly and
efficiently. ELPA provides the primary electricity feed to the data center, ensuring a reliable and
consistent power source. This connection to the national power grid is essential for the data
center's day-to-day operations.

To ensure uninterrupted power supply in case of utility outages, the data center is equipped with
backup generators with a capacity of 350KW . These generators run on fuel and act as a
secondary power source, ready to kick in when there is a disruption in the primary electricity
feed. This backup power system ensures that the data center can continue operating even during
power outages, minimizing downtime and maintaining service availability.

The backup power infrastructure also has 64 batteries with a 240 volt voltage which serves as
Uninterruptible Power Supply(USP). These batteries give another level of power backup support.
They are intended to give temporary electricity during periods of transition between the primary
power source and the backup generators.

The combination of the primary power supply from ELPA, backed up by generators running on
fuel and supported by UPS, ensures a robust and reliable power infrastructure for the data center.
This multi tiered approach to power redundancy helps mitigate the risks associated with power
failures and helps maintain the continuous operation of critical IT infrastructure housed within
the data center.

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2.2.3 Cooling

The cooling infrastructure at AAiT Data Center employs a state-of-the-art hot aisle/cold aisle
containment system. It utilizes:

 Underground piping for air circulation.

 High-capacity fans and vents for effective temperature management.
 Dedicated cooling systems for server racks to prevent overheating.
 Because failing to control the heat and airflow within a data center results in computing
equipment overheating, which can pose a fire threat, data center cooling is required to
control the temperature inside data centers to reduce heat.
 The cooling system has its components like the fans and exhaust vent terminations
outside the data center and it is connected to the data center using underground pipes that
pump cool air in to the cold aisle and take hot air from the hot aisle enclosure.
 Server racks are arranged in alternating rows to produce cold aisles and hot aisles in the
data center's hot aisle/cold aisle containment scheme. The front of the server equipment
on the racks receives cold air from the cold aisles, while the back hot aisles get the heat
produced by the server equipment. This containment strategy successfully divides the
flow of hot and cold air, improving cooling effectiveness and consuming less energy.

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 fig
1.1 fun used by data center for cooling purpos

2.2.1.4 Fire Alarm System

Comprehensive fire safety is ensured through:

 HFC and Nitrogen-based fire suppression systems.

 Smoke Detectors: Strategically placed throughout the facility.
 Advanced Monitoring Tools: For immediate detection and response.
 A fire alarm system in a data center is a crucial component of the overall fire protection
infrastructure. It is designed to detect the presence of fire or smoke within the data center
environment and promptly alert the occupants or relevant personnel, allowing for swift
action to mitigate the risk and minimize potential damage.

 In data centers, HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) and N2 (nitrogen) are used as fire suppressants.
HFCs are frequently employed in gaseous form to put out fires rapidly by halting the
chemical process that fuels combustion. The inert gas nitrogen (N2), on the other hand, is
used to put out fires by displacing oxygen from the area, which lowers the oxygen
concentration and puts out the fire. In data center settings, HFCs and N2 both work well
as fire extinguishing chemicals.

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 fig 1.2fire suppression system

Fig. 1.3 Smoke detector

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2.2.1.5 Security

To safeguard sensitive data and systems, AAiT Data Center integrates:

 Biometric access control.

 High-resolution surveillance cameras with real-time monitoring.
 Network firewalls to prevent unauthorized intrusions.

Security is of utmost importance to data centers due to several key reasons:

Protection of Sensitive Data, Business Continuity: Because data center is back bone to many
organizations,Trust and Reputation and Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats.

AAiT data center have variety of security tools are installed to guard against security threats and
prevent unauthorized access, including surveillance cameras and ID authentication systems.

Physical break-ins are reduced by the key card access system, which requires personnel to scan
their ID cards to reach restricted areas. ID scanners have fingerprint scanners and facial
recognition.Unauthorized individuals are detected by video surveillance that is being watched
live from a control room.

A total of 16 surveillance cameras are strategically positioned throughout the building to keep an
eye on every corner of the data center. Security professionals can watch the building in real-time
and look for any potential security breaches thanks to the high-resolution lenses and cutting-edge
image processing technology that these cameras are fitted with.

And also to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of data, the machines inside the data
center are designed with rigorous security measures. To reduce vulnerabilities and prevent
unwanted access, these settings incorporate secure protocols, access controls, and other best
practices.

And finally the firewall used by the data center serves as a partition between the internal network
and any external networks or the internet. The firewall analyzes network traffic, enforces access
control restrictions, and aids in guarding against unwanted access and other online dangers.

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Fig.1.4 Security camera inside data center

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2.2.6 Management

A well-trained team, including system administrators and network engineers, manages the
center’s operations. The team ensures seamless functionality by utilizing advanced monitoring
platforms and adhering to global standards.

The term "management" in the context of a data center refers to the collection of procedures,
techniques, and methods used to properly monitor and regulate the activities, resources, and
physical infrastructure of the data center. To guarantee the facility's efficient operation, peak
performance, and dependable service delivery, data center management is crucial.

2.3. AAiT Data Center Systems and Solutions

2.3.1 Servers

The servers at the AAiT Data Center are designed for high performance, capable of handling
large-scale computational workloads and rapid data processing. Each server is housed in
standardized racks, ensuring an organized structure for multiple servers and networking
equipment. These racks facilitate easy management, maintenance, and scalability.

The AAiT Data Center hosts 40 servers dedicated to various tasks, including:

 Media Servers: For streaming and sharing multimedia content.

 File Servers: To securely store and share institutional files and data.
 Mail Servers: To manage and maintain email communication systems.
 Web Servers: For hosting websites and applications with high reliability.

This diverse setup ensures the data center is capable of supporting research, academic activities,
and administrative operations efficiently.

2.3.2 Storage

The storage infrastructure of the AAiT Data Center is robust and designed to accommodate large
volumes of data. Key features include:

 500TB Storage Capacity: Utilizing RAID configurations to ensure fault tolerance and
data redundancy.
 1.6TB of RAM: Enhancing processing speed and supporting memory-intensive tasks.

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This setup supports the management of structured and unstructured data, ensuring reliability for
research and academic needs.

2.3.3 Networking

The networking operations at AAiT Data Center are organized to provide seamless connectivity
and support high-performance data transmission. Networking infrastructure includes:

 Fiber Backbone: Ensuring high-speed, low-latency connections for core switches.

 VPN and Dark Fiber: Providing secure and reliable inter-campus communication.
 Structured Cabling: Organized cabling pathways to optimize performance and
scalability.

2.3.3 A. Cabling

The cabling infrastructure at the AAiT Data Center combines fiber optic and UTP cables to meet
connectivity requirements effectively:

 Fiber Optic Cables:

o Used for high-speed, long-distance data transmission.
o Offers immunity to electromagnetic interference and durability.
o Connects core network components and external service providers.
 UTP Cables (Unshielded Twisted Pair):
o Cost-effective and suitable for shorter distances.
o Used for server-to-switch and intranet-rack connections.

Structured cabling practices ensure proper cable management, reducing signal interference and
supporting scalability. Cable trays, patch panels, and organized layouts maintain a tidy
environment, enabling efficient maintenance and future expansions.

By strategically deploying fiber optic and UTP cabling, the AAiT Data Center achieves a
balance between performance and cost-efficiency, ensuring reliable connectivity for academic
and administrative operations.

2.3.4B IP Address

The addressing scheme includes:

 Private IPv4 ranges: For internal communication.

 Dynamic NAT: To manage external connectivity.

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2.3.4 Backup and Recovery System

A secondary site ensures disaster recovery readiness. Regular backups are maintained to
safeguard critical data.

2.3.5 Management Software and Tools

Software platforms for managing operations include:

 VMware for virtualization.

 NetEco for environmental monitoring.
 Cisco’s suite for network management.

2.4. AAiT Data Center Standards

2.4. Design Standards Followed by AAiT Data Center

The data center adheres to ANSI/TIA-942-B standards. These guidelines ensure:

 Proper cabling infrastructure.

 Efficient power and cooling systems.
 Comprehensive security measures.
 Scalable designs to meet future demands.

2.4.1 Security Measures at AAiT Data Center

The center’s multi-layered security framework includes:

 20 surveillance cameras with live feed capabilities.

 Biometric and RFID access controls.
 Firewall systems for network integrity.

2.4.2 Power Operation and Performance Summary of AAiT Data Center

Dual power lines ensure uninterrupted operations. Backup generators and UPS systems provide
redundancy during outages, minimizing downtime.

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2.4.3 Cooling Systems Summary of AAiT Data Center

Efficient cooling is achieved through:

 Alternating cold and hot aisle containment.

 Real-time temperature monitoring.
 Optimized airflow systems to prevent overheating.

2.5. AAiT Hot and Cold Aisle Data Center System

The AAiT Hot and Cold Aisle Data Center System likely refers to a data center design that uses
an efficient cooling strategy based on the separation of hot and cold air flows. This system is
designed to improve energy efficiency and cooling performance. Here's a breakdown of the key
features:

2.5.1Alternating Rows for Hot and Cold Air Flow:

In this design, the data center is arranged with alternating rows of equipment racks,
creating separate cold aisles and hot aisles.

Cold Aisles: These aisles are typically where the cold air is supplied to the servers
and other equipment.

Hot Aisles: The hot air, produced by the equipment, is exhausted into these aisles.

2.5.2Containment Systems:

These systems involve physical barriers or enclosures that separate the hot and cold
aisles, ensuring that the cold air is directed only toward the equipment intake and the
hot air is exhausted away from it.

This containment reduces the mixing of hot and cold air, preventing the cold air from
being warmed prematurely and improving cooling efficiency.

2.6. AAiT Data Center Tier Classification

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The center's infrastructure suggests Tier II or III classification:

 Redundancy in power supply and cooling systems.

 Backup systems for uninterrupted operations.

Basically The AAiT Data Center likely fits Tier II,

which provides:

 Redundancy: Partial backup for power and cooling systems to handle single failures.
 Backup Systems: UPS and generators ensure short-term power during outages.
 Downtime: Some maintenance may require planned downtime, with up to 22 hours of
annual unavailability.

2.7. AAiT Data Center Design

2.7.1 Physical Space and Organization of AAiT Data Center

Spanning over 300 m², the AAiT Data Center is strategically divided into:

 Equipment rooms.
 Administrative offices.
 Cooling and power infrastructure zones.

2.7.2 Physical Topology Design

The center follows a robust rack-mounted design with structured cabling pathways, minimizing
signal interference and simplifying maintenance.

2.7.3 Logical Network Design

A hierarchical IPv4 scheme is employed, with provisions for future IPv6 integration. Subnets are
assigned based on departmental and functional requirements.

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