Managed Services: A Comprehensive Guide to Optimising Data Center Efficiency

Data centers serve as the backbone of modern businesses, storing, processing, and managing critical data essential for operations. However, the efficient maintenance of these data centers poses significant challenges. Managed services step in as a comprehensive solution to optimise data center efficiency, encompassing various aspects of data center operations, from hosting services to disaster recovery solutions.

Data Center Managed Services entail outsourcing the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and optimisation of a company’s data center. This strategic move allows businesses to leverage external expertise, cutting-edge technology, and scalability while reducing the burden on their internal IT teams. By entrusting tasks such as server management, security, troubleshooting, and performance monitoring to specialized providers, companies can ensure smoother and more efficient data center operations. This approach not only enhances reliability and security but also frees up internal resources to focus on core business objectives and innovation.

Elevating Data Center Infrastructure with Managed Services

Under the Service Level Agreement (SLA), managed data center service providers play a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation and resilience of data center infrastructure. Beyond foundational responsibilities like maintaining network and hardware services and managing software, these providers prioritise implementing cutting-edge technologies. Advanced data center cooling solutions and innovative security measures are deployed to enhance efficiency and safeguard against emerging threats. Moreover, continuous refinement of backup solutions minimises the risk of data loss and downtime.

Specialised Expertise

One of the primary benefits of data center managed services lies in the ability to take advantage of specialised expertise. Managing a data center demands a diverse skill set, encompassing networking, security, hardware maintenance, and troubleshooting. By outsourcing these responsibilities to professionals, businesses tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring smooth and efficient data center operations.

Scalability and Flexibility

Managed services offer scalability, essential for growing businesses. As data storage needs expand, flexible solutions become imperative. Managed service providers offer scalable options that accommodate growth without compromising performance or reliability. Whether upgrading hardware, expanding storage, or enhancing security, these services provide the flexibility needed to adapt to evolving requirements.

Yotta’s data centers are designed with scalability in mind. As your data storage and processing needs evolve, Yotta can seamlessly scale their infrastructure and services to keep pace with your growth.

Ensuring Business Continuity with Disaster Recovery

In bolstering business resilience, the integration of disaster recovery within data centers stands as a crucial imperative. Managed service providers offer comprehensive backup and recovery processes to minimise downtime and data loss in the event of a catastrophe or breach. Regular data backups, failover systems, and recovery procedures ensure business continuity and data integrity.

Multi-Network Environments

The flexibility and choice offered by multi-network data centers are undeniably attractive for businesses seeking optimal data center solutions. However, navigating the intricacies of such environments – with their diverse configurations, performance demands, and security considerations – can be a significant challenge for internal IT teams.

Managed service providers offer a comprehensive approach to navigating and optimising multi-network environments. They ensure consistent performance by monitoring and troubleshooting network issues, maximising uptime and application responsiveness. Yotta’s carrier-neutral data centers, providing access to a diverse range of network providers. This flexibility allows you to choose the best connectivity options for your specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.

Optimising Data Center Efficiency with Managed Services

In conclusion, data center managed services offer a comprehensive solution to optimize efficiency. By leveraging specialized expertise, scalable solutions, and robust disaster recovery measures, businesses ensure smooth and reliable data center operations.

Yotta Data Centers, including NM1, D1, and G1, exemplify this commitment, offering state-of-the-art facilities and expert support to meet evolving data storage and processing demands. Yotta operates fault-tolerant facilities designed to the highest standards. With a comprehensive security framework and redundant internet networks, coupled with direct cloud connectivity, Yotta empowers businesses to advance their hybrid IT strategies.

Yotta offers an extensive array of value-added support services tailored to meet the diverse operational requirements of businesses, encompassing connectivity solutions, security provisions, custom fit-outs, material handling, seating arrangements, and other essential technological needs.

By choosing Yotta for colocation, businesses gain access to a seamlessly integrated, redundant, and high-performance connectivity ecosystem, facilitating streamlined operations and ensuring uninterrupted access to a wide spectrum of Internet Service Providers, Cloud Services Providers, Internet Exchanges, Content Delivery Networks, and Telecommunication companies.

N+N Redundancy: An Imperative Shield for Data Centers

In the dynamic realm of technology, where downtime is intolerable, data centers serve as the linchpin for myriad operations. Among the myriad strategies employed to ensure seamless services, N+N redundancy emerges as a pivotal approach. This principle revolves around maintaining “two of everything” within a data center, presenting a transformative impact on operations.

The High Stakes of Downtime

In the digital landscape, downtime surpasses inconvenience; it equates to financial losses, tarnished reputations, and compromised operations. Tier-4 rated data centers, designed for an impressive 99.995% uptime, face challenges such as power failures, generator malfunctions, UPS system glitches, and cooling breakdowns. The Uptime Institute’s Annual Outages Analysis for 2023 underscores that 44% of incidents were power-related, emphasising the urgent need for robust redundancy measures.

At its essence, N+N redundancy acts as a bulwark against the unforeseen. With duplicate systems poised to seamlessly take over in the face of failure, this redundancy strategy becomes indispensable, safeguarding against generator hiccups, power feed disruptions, or cooling system glitches, ensuring uninterrupted client power.

The Financial Toll of Downtime

The ITIC’s 11th Annual Hourly Cost of Downtime survey underscores the financial repercussions of downtime. Remarkably, 40% of enterprises report that an hour of downtime can cost between $1 million to over $5 million. This positions the investment in N+N redundancy not merely as a technological choice but a critical financial decision for businesses reliant on data center operations.

While power redundancy is the cornerstone of N+N redundancy, cooling redundancy plays an equally vital role. Effective cooling backup systems become imperative, preventing rapid overheating of computer equipment. Furthermore, multiple telecommunications paths guard against line cuts and failures, with robust security systems acting as a shield against data loss.

The benefits of N+N data center redundancy are multifaceted:

• Unparalleled Uptime: N+N redundancy provides the highest level of uptime, ensuring continuous data center operations even in the face of multiple component failures. This is particularly crucial for businesses reliant on constant data availability, such as financial institutions and e-commerce platforms.

• Enhanced Reliability: By eliminating single points of failure, N+N redundancy significantly enhances data center reliability, reducing the risk of downtime, data loss, and service disruptions, with severe financial and reputational consequences.

• Proactive Maintenance: With two of each critical component, data centers can conduct proactive maintenance without disrupting operations. This allows for regular system checks, cleaning, and upgrades, further elevating overall colocation data center reliability.

• Improved Disaster Recovery: N+N redundancy facilitates faster and more effective disaster recovery. In the event of a major outage or natural disaster, data centers can swiftly switch to redundant components, restoring services promptly, and minimising downtime and associated costs.

The significance of the “two of everything” approach extends beyond failure recovery. Preventative maintenance is essential for power and cooling systems, and N+N redundancy enables these systems to undergo maintenance without causing any downtime. This proactive strategy ensures that the data center remains operational and optimised for peak performance.

In the relentless pursuit of uninterrupted operations, N+N redundancy emerges as a beacon of reliability for data centers. As technology advances and the digital landscape becomes more intricate, the “two of everything” approach stands as a testament to the commitment to reliability, resilience, and the assurance that, even in the face of adversity, the data the seamless operation of data centers, making it a valuable asset in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Assessing Data Centers with Confidence – A Comprehensive Guide to Data Center Ratings

In today’s digital era, where data serves as the lifeblood of businesses, the significance of a dependable and efficient data center cannot be emphasised enough. Selecting the right data center is a critical decision with far-reaching effects on your operations’ performance, security, and scalability. To navigate this intricate landscape successfully, it’s imperative to thoroughly understand the various data center ratings, specifically the Data Center Tiers.

Data center tiers play a pivotal role when it comes to choosing a facility for hosting your valuable data. These tier ratings unveil the extent of reliability and performance that a data center can deliver. Failing to consider the right tier can result in potential downtime issues and unnecessary financial expenditures.

Data Center Tiers: A Comprehensive Evaluation

Data center tiers serve as a standardised measure for evaluating the reliability of a facility’s infrastructure, ranging from Tier 1 (lowest) to Tier 4 (highest). International organisations such as the Uptime Institute (UTI) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) are instrumental in assigning these classifications. The assessment criteria include Uptime Guarantees, Fault tolerance (ability to manage planned and unplanned disruptions), and Service costs.

This impartial tier system offers an unbiased understanding of a data center’s operational efficiency.

Understanding Data Center Ratings

Data center ratings serve as a standard for gauging the reliability and performance of these facilities. One widely recognised standard is the Uptime Institute’s Tier Classification System. This system categorises data centers into four tiers, each reflecting a specific level of reliability, redundancy, and fault tolerance.

1. Tier I Basic Capacity: This level may require site-wide shutdowns for maintenance or repair work. Capacity or distribution failures can impact the site, and the data center has a single path for power and cooling with no backup components. Tier I offers an expected uptime of 99.671% per year.

2. Tier II Redundant Capacity Components: Maintenance-related site-wide shutdowns are still necessary at this level. Capacity failures and distribution failures can affect the site. While Tier II also has a single path for power and cooling, it offers some redundancy and backup components, with an expected uptime of 99.741% per year.

3. Tier III Concurrently Maintainable: This tier allows the removal of every capacity component and distribution path for planned maintenance without affecting operations. Tier III data centers feature multiple paths for power and cooling, along with redundant systems that enable staff to work on the setup without taking it offline. Tier III provides an expected uptime of 99.982% per year.

4. Tier IV Fault Tolerant: Even an individual equipment failure or distribution path interruption will not disrupt operations at this tier, which is also Concurrently Maintainable. Tier IV represents a completely fault-tolerant data center with redundancy for every component, boasting an expected uptime of 99.995% per year.

Data center personnel typically submit site plans and blueprints (known as Tier Certification of Design Documents) to these organisations to receive an official rating. Representatives from the respective organisations then conduct on-site inspections to evaluate operations and assign an appropriate rating.

It’s noteworthy that having a tier rating is not obligatory, and not all data centers undergo this evaluation.

Partnership For Success: Yotta Data Centers

As the digital landscape evolves, choosing a top-tier data center is essential in ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of your operations. Yotta a colocation data center is one of the leading data centers in India. Equipped with advanced security measures, redundant power systems, and robust cooling mechanisms Yotta provides a comprehensive range of solutions to meet evolving business needs.

The Yotta NM1 Data Center in Mumbai offers a host of advanced features, ensuring an optimal environment for business infrastructure. With 7200 rack capacity, 30.4MW power capacity, and 4 dedicated fibre paths, the data center has a design PUE of 1.4. It holds the distinction of being the first and only facility in India to receive validation with a Tier IV Gold Certificate for Operational Sustainability (TCOS) from Uptime Institute.

The Yotta D1 Data Center in Greater Noida, Delhi sprawls across 300,000 sq. ft and strategically situates itself near major innovation clusters. This location facilitates industry-leading uptime, connectivity, and fault tolerance. The facility stands equipped with 5000 rack capacity, 28.8MW power, and an impressive design PUE of 1.4.

Choosing the right data center is not merely selecting a service provider; it is forging a strategic partnership that propels your business toward success. Yotta offers not just solutions but a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the seamless evolution of your digital journey.

The Evolving Landscape Of Data Center Delivery In India

The increase in internet users, the digital transformation of enterprises, and the Indian government’s push towards a digital economy have all fuelled demand for robust data centers infrastructure. With the increasing demand for cloud services, big data analytics, and high-performance computing, data centers in India have emerged as critical infrastructure supporting the digital economy.

The evolution is characterised by a shift towards more robust and scalable facilities, incorporating advanced technologies such as edge computing and artificial intelligence. Government initiatives, coupled with strategic partnerships between global tech giants and local players, have played a pivotal role in shaping this landscape. The focus is not only on expanding capacity but also on enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability, aligning with global trends.

The key attributes that define successful data center delivery are as follows:

1. Design and Engineering: The design phase is a critical juncture in data center construction, where collaboration between architects, engineers, and IT professionals is paramount. Successful projects prioritise the creation of a design that seamlessly integrates the architectural aspects with the technical requirements of a data center. This includes considerations for layout optimisation, airflow management, energy efficiency, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies such as modular design and high-density server configurations. The collaborative design process lays the groundwork for a facility that not only meets operational needs but is also resilient and adaptable.

2. Infrastructure Development: The success of data centers hinges on robust infrastructure and seamless connectivity. India’s ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the BharatNet initiative and the development of Smart Cities, are improving the overall connectivity landscape. Proximity to major network points, reliable power supply, and advanced telecommunications infrastructure are pivotal considerations in selecting suitable locations for data center development.

3. Risk Mitigation and Contingency Planning: Effective risk management is a key attribute of successful data center construction. This involves identifying potential risks, ranging from natural disasters to cybersecurity threats, and implementing robust mitigation strategies. Organisations must conduct thorough risk assessments, establish contingency plans, and invest in security measures to protect the facility and the sensitive data it houses. This proactive approach to risk management ensures the resilience and security of the data center in the face of unforeseen challenges.

4. Security Measures: With the growing reliance on data, security is a paramount concern for data center operators. Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated, and data breaches can have severe consequences. Protecting sensitive information from unauthorised access, ensuring data integrity, and complying with data protection regulations are constant challenges.

5. Costs and Economic Viability: The upfront and operational costs associated with building and maintaining data centers can be substantial. Balancing the need for cutting-edge technology with cost-effectiveness is a perpetual challenge for organizations. Moreover, the economic viability of data centers depends on factors such as energy prices, hardware costs, and the evolving landscape of technological innovation.

6. Regulatory Compliances: Data centers are subject to a myriad of regulations and compliance standards, varying across geographical locations. Navigating this complex regulatory landscape requires meticulous planning and a deep understanding of local and international laws. From data sovereignty issues to privacy regulations, data center operators must ensure strict adherence to compliance requirements, adding an additional layer of complexity to the development process.

Colocation and Its Benefits:

Colocation represents a pragmatic approach wherein organisations lease space within an existing data center facility operated by a third party. This route provides a cost-effective solution with quicker deployment times, as clients leverage shared infrastructure, security, and operational services. Colocation Data Centers are designed to provide high levels of reliability and uptime. They typically have redundant power sources, backup generators, and advanced cooling systems to ensure that servers and infrastructure remain operational even in the event of power outages or equipment failures.

This reliability is crucial for businesses that require continuous access to their applications and data. It also offers scalability, allowing businesses to easily scale their IT infrastructure up or down based on their needs. As a company grows, it can quickly add more servers and resources without the constraints of physical space limitations. This is particularly advantageous for businesses with fluctuating or unpredictable workloads.

Furthermore, the flexibility afforded by colocation enables businesses to focus on their core functions and strategic objectives, as they can offload the complexities associated with the construction and day-to-day management of a dedicated data center. This allows companies to redirect their efforts toward driving innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and staying competitive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Hence, colocation emerges as not just a practical solution but a strategic enabler for businesses navigating the complexities of today’s digital economy.

How Colocation Is Transforming Healthcare IT

Modern medical practice relies heavily on data, with electronic health records (EHRs), medical imaging, genomics, and telemedicine generating vast data streams daily. Meeting the complex challenge of managing, storing, and safeguarding this invaluable healthcare data is where colocation data centers step in. These facilities provide a secure, cost-effective, and scalable infrastructure, and this article explores their pivotal role in the healthcare sector.

Adaptability Infrastructure

Colocation data centers enable healthcare organisations with the adaptability to scale IT infrastructure according to the dynamic demands of the industry. The healthcare sector experiences fluctuations in data volume, especially during peak patient hours or the adoption of new diagnostic technologies. Traditional in-house data centers often struggle to keep pace with these shifts, but colocation facilities can effortlessly accommodate increased storage and processing requirements.

Resilience and Assurance

The healthcare sector has a near-zero tolerance for data loss or downtime, as patient care, medical records, and life-saving procedures depend on the continuous availability of data. Colocation data centers provide redundancy and reliability through backup power systems, redundant network connections, and disaster recovery capabilities. This guarantees that critical healthcare data remains accessible, even in the face of events like power outages, hardware failures, or natural disasters.

Security and Regulatory Compliance

Securing sensitive patient information is of paramount importance in the healthcare sector. Colocation data centers offer enhanced security measures and compliance options specifically tailored to the unique needs of healthcare organisations. These facilities implement rigorous physical security protocols, including biometric access control, surveillance, and intrusion detection systems.

Economical Edge

Operating an on-premises data center is expensive, labour intensive, and time-consuming. Colocation data centers offer a shared infrastructure model that uses resources and facilities more efficiently. Additionally, colocation facilities provide a predictable cost structure. This makes budgeting and financial planning more manageable for healthcare organisations.

Enhanced Connectivity

In healthcare, the rapid and secure exchange of data among various entities is vital. Colocation data centers foster interconnectivity by offering direct access to a broad array of network service providers. This enables healthcare organisations to establish secure connections with hospitals, research institutions, and other partners, thereby improving the flow of patient information and facilitating collaborative research and patient care.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

The healthcare industry cannot tolerate service interruptions, especially during emergencies. Colocation data centers play a pivotal role in disaster recovery and business continuity planning. They provide off-site backup and recovery solutions, allowing healthcare organsations to swiftly restore operations in case of system failures or disasters.

Performance Optimisation

Colocation data centers use advanced technology to optimise the performance of healthcare IT systems. They have high-speed, low-latency network connections and state-of-the-art hardware in place, which are essential for the efficient operation of applications like telemedicine, remote monitoring, and real-time diagnostics. Healthcare providers, in utilising these capabilities, can forge a pathway towards delivering swifter and more dependable services to their patients.

Remote Monitoring and Management

The rise of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a growing need for remote management tools. Data centers in India provide healthcare organisations with the tools needed to support these services effectively. Remote monitoring and management capabilities enable healthcare IT teams to ensure the security and performance of critical systems from anywhere, facilitating the expansion of remote healthcare services. Colocation data centers have become an indispensable asset in the healthcare sector.

Their scalability, reliability, security, and cost-efficiency make them ideal partners for healthcare organisations aiming to meet the ever-growing demands for data storage, processing, and management. Yotta NM1 data center in Mumbai is a paragon of excellence, offering industry-best uptime, multi-layer security, and direct cloud connectivity. It is the trusted choice for prominent enterprises across sectors, offering a secure, dependable, and scalable infrastructure to support critical IT operations. The strategically located Yotta D1 data center in Delhi ensures uninterrupted operations, promising the highest levels of connectivity and fault tolerance. Yotta’s commitment to superior performance and adherence to global standards makes it a go-to choice for businesses seeking state-of-the-art IT solutions.

Physical And Digital Layers Of Security In Data Centers

From sensitive customer information to proprietary business strategies, data is an invaluable asset that requires steadfast protection. Data centers, the nerve centers of modern businesses, play a pivotal role in safeguarding this critical information. To create an impenetrable fortress for data, a dual approach of physical and digital security layers is imperative.

Physical Security

1. Access Controls: Colocation data centers employ a multifaceted approach to access controls. This includes biometric authentication like fingerprint scans and retina recognition, key card systems, and PIN-based entries. Only authorised personnel are granted entry, ensuring that only those with legitimate reasons can access the premises.

2. Perimeter Security: Fencing, barriers, and surveillance cameras encircle the colocation data center, forming a protective barrier against external threats. Security personnel conduct regular patrols to maintain constant vigilance.

3. Mantraps and Biometric Verification: Access points are often fortified with mantraps – enclosed spaces with two sets of interlocking doors. This ensures that only one individual can enter or exit at a time, preventing tailgating. Moreover, biometric verification methods like fingerprint scanning or retina recognition add an extra layer of identity validation, reducing the risk of unauthorised access.

4. Security Monitoring: Data centers are equipped with advanced surveillance systems, including motion sensors, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and infrared technology. These monitoring systems ensure continuous surveillance of the premises.

Digital Security

1. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems: Firewalls act as gatekeepers, filtering incoming and outgoing network traffic to block unauthorised access. IDS/IPS systems monitor network traffic for signs of suspicious activity and can automatically take actions to thwart potential threats.

2. Network Segmentation: Implementing intelligent network segmentation significantly reduces the attack surface of data center networks by isolating infrastructure components, hindering attacker lateral movement and minimising breach impact potential.

3. Security Patching and Updates: Regular updates and patches to operating systems and software are essential to close vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.

The Synergy Of Physical And Digital Layers

The strength of data center security lies in the seamless integration between the physical and digital layers. These two layers are not isolated silos; they interact and reinforce each other to create an impenetrable fortress. A data center’s biometric authentication system not only grants physical access but also integrates with the digital security system. This means that only personnel with valid biometric credentials can log in to the digital systems.

In case of a breach, physical security measures can complement digital efforts. For instance, a triggered motion sensor could lock down the affected area while the digital security system quarantines the compromised data. In the event of a security incident, physical security personnel can collaborate with their digital counterparts to quickly isolate affected servers or systems. This containment strategy prevents the spread of the breach and allows for targeted remediation efforts.

Companies should prioritise hyperscale data centers with robust security measures as they provide an unparalleled shield against various risks. Yotta NM1 Data Center employs a comprehensive array of security measures, including an automated mantrap for server hall entry, biometric authentication for access, robust explosive and narcotics detection, meticulous server key access management, and various other safeguards. Similarly, at Yotta D1 Data Center, an array of security measures is in place, encompassing campus entrance checks, bio-metric access control at server halls, and resilient security protocols for accessing server halls, among others. 

In conclusion, a colocation data center’s security is fortified by a harmonious interplay between physical and digital security layers. These layers work cohesively to ensure the protection of data and the uninterrupted operation of critical systems.

Reading The Signs: When Colocation Data Centers Become Imperative For Your Business

In today’s digital era, businesses heavily rely on data and uninterrupted IT infrastructure. As companies grow, their data center needs evolve. Colocation data center provide the necessary computing, storage, and networking resources for modern enterprises. According to the Economic Times, the Indian data center market witnessed a remarkable 48% growth over the past three years, increasing from 540 MW of installed capacity in 2019 to surpassing 800 MW in 2022.

Instead of building and operating their own data centers, businesses can opt to rent or lease capacity from remote colocation providers, accessing them over a wide area network (WAN) like the internet. This allows businesses to avoid the complexity and expense of traditional data centers while still benefiting from their services.

But how can businesses determine when it’s the right time to make the move? Let’s look at some of the key business indicators that signify the need to transition to colocation data centers. By understanding these signs, businesses can make informed decisions that align with their growth strategies and operational requirements.

Expanding IT Infrastructure:

One of the first indicators that a business should consider colocation is the rapid expansion of its IT infrastructure. As companies scale, their data storage, processing power, and network requirements grow exponentially. Managing this increased demand in-house can strain resources and hinder operational efficiency. Colocation data centers provide scalable solutions that can accommodate evolving infrastructure needs, ensuring seamless performance and reliability.

Reliability and Uptime Concerns:

Downtime can have severe consequences for businesses, leading to revenue loss, damaged reputation, and customer dissatisfaction. If a company’s existing data center struggles to maintain reliable operations or experiences frequent outages, it’s a clear sign that a transition to a colocation facility is worth considering. Colocation providers offer robust infrastructure, redundant power systems, advanced cooling mechanisms, and 24/7 monitoring, significantly reducing the risk of downtime.

Cost Efficiency and Scalability:

A full-featured data center is expensive. Cost efficiency and scalability are important factors in data centers. Building and maintaining a full-featured data center is expensive, with high construction and operational costs. Colocation data centers offer cost efficiency through shared infrastructure, economies of scale, and predictable pricing models. They also provide scalability, allowing businesses to adjust IT resources as needed, optimising costs and resource utilisation.

Enhanced Security and Compliance:

Businesses prioritise data security due to the escalating cyber threats. Colocation data centers offer advanced security measures such as multi-factor authentication, video surveillance, fire detection, and robust access controls. The data center must also implement several layers of network security to protect against cyber-attacks like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and DDoS protection systems. Additionally, businesses must comply with increasing government regulations impacting application usage, data management, and security.

Meeting data residence requirements of various nations or geopolitical areas can be challenging for a single data center. Colocation services help satisfy regulatory demands without the need for costly construction. Colocation facilities are designed to meet industry compliance standards, ensuring data privacy and regulatory adherence, especially vital for regulated sectors.

Geographic Reach and Disaster Recovery:

For organisations seeking geographic redundancy or expanding their operations to new locations, colocation data centers offer a viable solution. By leveraging a network of interconnected facilities, businesses can establish a presence in multiple regions without the need for building and managing individual data centers. Additionally, colocation providers often offer comprehensive disaster recovery services, enabling swift data restoration and minimising downtime in the event of a natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstances.

Performance:

In the current landscape, businesses demand a global presence, which entails providing worldwide access to applications and data. However, relying on a single data center proves challenging in meeting the extensive demands of global users. Even when a business makes the investment in costly network bandwidth, physical realities of network latency, congestion and connectivity can lower workload availability and performance for remote users potentially affecting user satisfaction and workload use. Colocation empowers businesses to position workloads and data in proximity to users across various geographical regions, ensuring optimal workload performance without necessitating the construction of additional facilities.

Transitioning to colocation data centers becomes apparent as businesses grapple with growing IT infrastructure, reliability concerns, cost management, data security, and geographic expansion. Embracing colocation offers scalable, reliable, cost-effective, and secure infrastructure, allowing organisations to focus on core competencies and drive success in the digital landscape.

Yotta, a leading provider of colocation services, equipped with advanced security measures, redundant power systems and robust cooling mechanisms, offers a comprehensive range of solutions to meet evolving business needs.

The Yotta NM1 data center in Mumbai offers a host of advanced features, ensuring an optimal environment for business infrastructure. With an impressive 7200 rack capacity, 30.4MW power capacity, and 4 dedicated fibre paths, the data center boasts a remarkable design PUE of 1.4. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the first and only facility in India to receive validation with a Tier IV Gold Certificate for Operational Sustainability (TCOS) from Uptime Institute.  The Yotta D1 data center in Greater Noida sprawls across 300,000 sq. ft and strategically situates itself near major innovation clusters. This location facilitates industry-leading uptime, connectivity, and fault tolerance. The facility stands equipped with 5000 rack capacity, 28.8MW power, and an impressive design PUE of 1.4. 

6 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Data Center

The benefits of colocation are plenty and proven, but how do you go about selecting the data center to house your critical IT infrastructure? All data centers in India are not alike. Making an uninformed choice can cost businesses substantial downtime, data loss, and other burdensome implications. That’s why it is imperative you find the right data center for your colocation needs.

Key points to consider when you’re choosing a colocation data center:

1. Availability (Uptime): It’s important to factor in availability, which is the amount of guaranteed uptime provided by the data center. To ensure that business-critical applications and services remain always available, choose a provider that offers a high uptime guarantee. The best option would be a data center with a Tier III or Tier IV rating. Consider facilities that offer at least 99.9% uptime, however, if your organisation requires higher availability, look for data centers with 99.99% uptime or more. Popular Tier rating providers include Uptime Institute and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which define the standards for data center operations.

2. Security: The colocation service provider must maintain strict physical security measures, including access controls, biometric authentication, round-the-clock cameras, and secure fencing. The data center must also implement several layers of network security to protect against cyber-attacks. These can include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and DDoS protection systems. There should also be a team of security experts to monitor the network continuously and respond to any potential security threats immediately.

Logical separation is another essential factor to consider when choosing a data center in India. Some only host the clients’ equipment, while others provide more advanced solutions like cloud and managed IT. In the case of the latter, determine if the data center provides logical separation i.e. data and applications of one client are not accessible to another that shares the same infrastructure.

3. Redundancy: Enquire about the type of redundancy used in the data center, such as N+1, N+2, 2N, and 2N+1, with 2N+1 being the highest form of redundancy. The most crucial component to duplicate is the power supply. The colocation data center facility must have redundant power sources, including backup generators and an uninterrupted power supply. There must also be effective and redundant cooling systems that ensure appropriate temperature and humidity levels are maintained for servers.

4. Scalability: Choose a provider that offers flexible and scalable solutions, like the ability to easily add or remove rack space or increase power density, in line with business requirements. Scalability must extend to network, connectivity, and equipment. In the case of business expansion, the data center must be capable of offering sufficient infrastructure and space. By working with a provider with a proven track record of scalable infrastructure and a willingness to work with enterprises on their growth plans, businesses can ensure they have the resources to meet their evolving IT needs.

5. Compliance: It is essential that colocation providers comply with local data protection and privacy regulations. ISO certifications indicate that the colocation provider has implemented a robust information security management system and adheres to industry best practices for data security and privacy. It is advised to select a provider who is Uptime Institute certified and ensure to verify the certification. Additionally, make sure to ask if the data center will support third-party audits, in case they are applicable to your business.

6. Cost: Ascertain the recurring cost to be paid to the colocation data center provider for hosting equipment and providing power, cooling, and network connectivity. Find out if there are any one-time fees applicable to set up the infrastructure for hosting the enterprise’s equipment. If there are, check if providing power to your servers and ensuring network connectivity are covered. Additional services may be offered by some data centers in India such as remote hands support or equipment installation, at an added cost. When you’re evaluating the costs, the level of service and reliability provided by the data center must be considered.

Maximise IT Infrastructure With A Trusted Colocation Partner
For enterprises seeking a secure and cost-effective solution to manage IT infrastructure, colocation data center is a suitable option. By leveraging the resources of a colocation provider, organisations can access state-of-the-art data centers without the burden of constructing and maintaining on-prem facilities.

Yotta NM1 data center in Mumbai offers a range of features to ensure that business infrastructure is housed in an optimal environment. The facility offers 7200 rack capacity, 50MW IT power, 4 dedicated fiber paths, and a design PUE of 1.4. The data center is also the first and only facility in India to be validated with a Tier IV Gold Certificate for Operational Sustainability (TCOS) from Uptime Institute. Spread across 300,000 sq. ft, Yotta D1 data center in Greater Noida is located near major innovation clusters and delivers industry-best uptime, connectivity, and fault tolerance. The facility offers 5000 rack capacity, 28.8MW IT Power, and a design PUE of 1.4.

Choosing the right data center partner is crucial for businesses to ensure their IT infrastructure is secure, efficient, and cost-effective. With Yotta’s range of benefits, businesses can trust that their infrastructure is housed in an optimal environment.

How will Artificial Intelligence Drive the Growth of Future Data Centers?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for quite some time now, disrupting businesses and sectors with its capabilities to boost performance and bring in operational efficacies. The data center industry is no exception. In today’s time, data holds a huge significance for any organisation, and what’s equally important is managing that data effectively. Once filtered and crunched, the harvested data proves vital to making strategic business decisions for companies. Hence, companies are investing in advanced automation tools for data processing and migrating to hyperscale data centers to upgrade their IT infrastructure. Explosion of data in recent years has led hyperscalers to innovate and deploy AI technologies in their facilities to handle tasks autonomously.

The use of automation technologies in data centers is hardly new. For example, Google has explained the use of DeepMind AI for cooling. However, companies are yet to leverage AI/ML to the fullest. Factors such as distrust in technology have obstructed many organisations to take a leap towards AI. While the most known use cases for AI deployment in data centers are temperature control and predictive maintenance, AI’s potential to enhance the efficiency of a data center infrastructure is far more than widely known. Let’s look at some use cases of AI in data centers that will change the future of the industry.

Managing Workloads

As data center workloads move upward with an increase in data, many businesses are looking towards AI to boost efficiency and cut expenses. AI can be used to determine the workload movement in a hybrid setting in real-time to the most efficient infrastructure that could be cloud, on-premise or edge infrastructure. As AI makes its way into the data center industry, organisations are adopting innovative approaches to handle their data to allow more use of robust AI techniques and analytics.

Gartner predicts that by 2025, 70% of organisations will shift their focus from big to small and wide data; this will facilitate more context for analytics and make AI less data-hungry. Small data approach provides useful insights with fewer data, whereas broad data offers analysis performed on various large, unstructured data in diverse data formats. Together, both approaches allow advanced analytics and AI, reducing the reliability of big data.

Mitigating people shortage

Automated technologies in data centers promise less human intervention in regular and repetitive tasks. It frees up staff from mundane activities such as storage optimisation, cooling distribution, security settings and so on and allows them time to focus on more critical issues. It not only achieves greater efficiencies but also reduces the risk of human errors while handling complex and diverse workloads. For example, at our Yotta NM1 data center, in case of a leakage in a chiller pipe, a sensor-enabled Leak Detection System not only diagnoses the leakage but also mitigates the problem in real-time without manual intervention. Upon detection of leakage in the chiller pipeline, the system automatically diverts the water flow from an alternate pipeline. All this can be managed without running the risk of downtime in the data center. Automation is creating a pathway for data centers to go from reactive to preventative, leading to predictive.

Maximising power efficiencies

Power consumption is one of the most critical issues for data centers across the globe. Energy costs surge by at least 10% every year; its increased use in high-density servers is also not sustainable for the environment. Deploying AI/ML technologies can be a solution to the increased energy use in data centers. Systems in data centers generate significant heat; traditionally, air conditioners, chillers, water pumps are controlled by Building Management System (BMS) to keep the temperature in check. However, it is not energy efficient. AI-based power management can help optimise cooling systems by analysing historical data and creating a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) prediction model, cutting power costs and improving efficiency.

Enhancing security

In a hyperscale data center, where several events occur together, it is nearly impossible for humans to monitor and alert everyone in case of threat situations. AI-powered tools have proven useful in such areas. For example, image and sound recognition capabilities are being used widely to enhance the physical security of a data center facility; AI analytics is being used as a video surveillance solution to make sense of data collected by security cameras. Machine Learning techniques are also being leveraged for anomaly detection, where the system is trained to identify usual patterns and detect the irregular ones.

For example, again, at our Yotta NM1 data center, we have AI integrated security cameras keeping an eye over critical locations. These cameras will raise a ticket to the security control room of the data center if they detect more than 10 people gathered at the front gate or if they detect an unattended object in the premises for a certain period of time. Without automation, it would take hundreds of security personnel to watch over the physical security of the data center 24/7, which can often span into acres. This technique is also helpful in predictive analysis, where the AI system flags off any unusual occurrence in advance to be checked before a system completely breaks down. Hence, data center security can be strengthened by using AI for self-learning threat detection and monitoring algorithms.

Data centers of the future will certainly be more AI dominant, and almost all functions in the facility will be automated. Though these technologies are only in the hands of a few large hyperscalers and enterprises, they will soon trickle down to other data center players as technology upgrades, trust grows, and costs are cut down. Moreover, given the digital adoption accelerated by the pandemic, these advancements will be seen in practice sooner than later.

Factors that Determine Colocation Data Center Pricing

You may have noticed a great deal of variance in the way data centers price their colocation services. Understanding the factors that determine colocation data center pricing is crucial for businesses seeking to optimise their investments in hosting and infrastructure management including rack space, power consumption, bandwidth usage, and additional services. Let’s break down these elements to comprehend their impact on costs.

1. Economic factors and market demand: From an economic standpoint, operational expenditures wield substantial influence. These encompass various outlays such as real estate, power of cooling, maintenance, and personnel. Regions with reduced operational expenses such as rental or lease costs, power and cooling costs, network and connectivity fees, security costs etc. tend to present more competitive pricing options. Moreover, pricing strategies can be affected by local tax structures, government incentives, and regulatory frameworks. The interplay of supply and demand within a specific geographical area can profoundly shape pricing strategies.

2. Data center tier and certifications: Data center colocation pricing is significantly influenced by the data center tier and certifications. Higher-tier certifications, such as Uptime Institute Tier IV, command premium pricing due to enhanced redundancy, security, and availability standards. These certifications ensure a superior level of reliability and operational excellence, appealing to businesses seeking top-tier infrastructure for their hosting needs. Lower-tier data centers may offer more affordable options, with fewer redundancy features. Businesses weigh these tiers and corresponding costs against their specific requirements and budget considerations when selecting colocation operational objectives and performance expectations.

3. Power density and consumption: Colocation facilities provide power and cooling to ensure optimal performance of servers and equipment.  Some colocation facilities charge for power and cooling based on the kilowatt (kW) usage, while others charge based on the square foot area.

4. Bandwidth and network connectivity: The amount of bandwidth and network connectivity you require at your Colocation facility is determined by the volume and speed of data you intend to manage. Some colocation service provider charge for bandwidth and network connectivity based on megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps), but others charge based on message category or IP address count.

5. Rack Space and Cabinets: Data centers typically offer different options for rack space, such as full rack, half rack, quarter rack, or single unit. As the space requirement grows, so does the cost. Full racks tend to be costlier due to their larger capacity. Additionally, cabinets with advanced features like enhanced security mechanisms or efficient cooling systems often command higher prices.

6. Security and Compliance: Physical data centre security and cybersecurity are crucial considerations when selecting a data centre, but they can also increase prices. An open rack will cost less than a closed cabinet with RFID card access. The cost of a cage or enclosed area with CCTV video feeds is higher than the cost of an exposed area with no security cameras or sensors. Some colocation data center providers charge extra for firewalls and other security features. Determine the sensitivity of the data and what level of protection is adequate when considering the security of your colocation assets.

7. Customisation and Additional Services: The extent of customisation required by a customer, such as customised power arrangements, networking configurations, or unique security measures, can have an impact on prices. Furthermore, the addition of supplementary services such as managed hosting, disaster recovery, or increased support raises pricing. Because of the specialised nature of their requirements and the added value of supplementary services in optimising data management and security within the colocation facility, clients that desire customised solutions and packages may expect higher costs.

8. Business continuity and disaster recovery: Data centers offering robust disaster recovery solutions, like redundant power sources, geographically dispersed backups, and failover systems, tend to have higher pricing due to the added infrastructure and maintenance costs. Additionally, colocation facilities equipped to support comprehensive business continuity plans, ensuring minimal downtime and quick data recovery in the event of a disaster, often charge more for their services. Clients prioritise such features, acknowledging the critical role they play in safeguarding business operations and data integrity, even if it means paying a premium for enhanced resilience and reliability.

Why Yotta’s Data Centers are the right Colocation Service Providers?

Yotta, a prominent managed data center service provider in India, specializes in designing, constructing, and managing high-capacity Data Center Parks known for their top- tier infrastructure. Holding the prestigious Tier IV data center status and Uptime Institute’s Gold Operations certificate, Yotta stands out by combining real estate expertise with exceptional operational advantages. Their ownership of land and in-house construction capabilities ensure world- class data centers with a cost- effective advantage.

Situated within the expansive 600- acre Hiranandani Fortune City, the Yotta Data Center Park in Panvel encompasses Yotta NM1 which offers a capacity of 7200 racks with 50 MW of total design load along with the nearly completed Yotta NM2. Moreover, the site offers ample space for the construction of three more data center facilities within the same campus.

Yotta’s expansive campus in Greater Noida covers 20 acres, making it the inaugural data center park in the region. This facility comprises six interconnected data center buildings, boasting an impressive 30,000 racks capacity and powered by an excess of 160 MW of IT power. Yotta NM1 – located in Panvel Data Center Park – has been awarded the highest certification for data center design – the Uptime Institute Tier IV Certification of Design Documents Certification (TCDD) (USA).

It has achieved the rare distinction of being among the largest data center designs in the world and the largest in Asia, with this certification. Yotta data centers have also achieved many more certifications adhering to global standards across operational and sustainable practices like ISO/IEC 27017:2015, ISO/IEC 27018:2019, ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001: 2018., ISO 22301:2019, PCI DSS, ISO 23001:2019, AICPA SOC, LEED GOLD and RBI certification for cyber security and data localisation.

After going through a stringent audit, Yotta has also secured the Trusted Partner Network (TPN) certification. These recognitions represent excellent operational efficiency and its resultant value for the customers in the form of unmatched benefits.