Data Centres store and transport many Terabytes of critical data that needs to be protected at all times. The very thought of losing or corrupting some of that data just doesn’t bear thinking about, bearing in mind the sensitive nature of a lot of that data. The servers hosting that data need a high level of protection that is provided through parallel redundancy. What does parallel redundancy mean? It means that the mains power supply is backed up by at least 2 other sources of backup power. Every eventuality must be catered for when dealing with power outages and brownouts.
When dealing with critical systems such as servers and associated equipment we work on N+1, where N is the number of backup power sources and Uninterruptable Power Supplies necessary to maintain power during any eventuality. +1 is the addition of an extra module to backup the first alternative power source and UPS. The =1 model ensures that there will be no time that all systems can possibly fail at the same time. It also creates an environment where maintenance and servicing can be conducted in a systematic way safe in the knowledge that a backup system still remains for every unit undergoing maintenance.
Tier 1 systems just comprise a single power path, cooling and ventilation system with no redundant components.
Tier 2 systems comprise a single main active power supply, cooling and ventilation systems with redundant power and UPS.
Tier 3 systems have multiple active power supplies, cooling and ventilation systems with multiple redundant components.
Finally a Tier 4 system will have multiple active power supplies, cooling and ventilation with redundant components that have additional fault tolerance.
To learn more about power systems, the use of UPS and other backup power systems, take a look at our Network and Systems training course at www.nstuk.com/course-schedule.html
When dealing with critical systems such as servers and associated equipment we work on N+1, where N is the number of backup power sources and Uninterruptable Power Supplies necessary to maintain power during any eventuality. +1 is the addition of an extra module to backup the first alternative power source and UPS. The =1 model ensures that there will be no time that all systems can possibly fail at the same time. It also creates an environment where maintenance and servicing can be conducted in a systematic way safe in the knowledge that a backup system still remains for every unit undergoing maintenance.
Tier 1 systems just comprise a single power path, cooling and ventilation system with no redundant components.
Tier 2 systems comprise a single main active power supply, cooling and ventilation systems with redundant power and UPS.
Tier 3 systems have multiple active power supplies, cooling and ventilation systems with multiple redundant components.
Finally a Tier 4 system will have multiple active power supplies, cooling and ventilation with redundant components that have additional fault tolerance.
To learn more about power systems, the use of UPS and other backup power systems, take a look at our Network and Systems training course at www.nstuk.com/course-schedule.html