What are data center availability modes - Article 2

Click here to view previous post - Article 1

EN 50600 Availability classes (1-4)

EN 50600 represents the first European standard that uses a holistic approach to make comprehensive specifications for the new construction and operation of a data center. It defines requirements for the construction, power supply, air conditioning & ventilation, cabling, security systems, and defines criteria for the operation of data centers. Created by CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), EN 50600 offers various degrees of freedom, and can to a certain extent be understood as a modular system. First and foremost, EN 50600 represents a standard that is applicable during the construction of new data centers. It defines the assessment reports and analyses that are necessary in advance of the design and construction work. 

There are four types of EN 506000 certifications that defines the availability classes. The availability classes of EN 50600 apply to the power supply, the cooling systemand the cabling. The classes differ as follows according to EN 50600-1 (General aspects for design and specifications)

Availability class 1: Low availability. Design without redundancies based on a supply path

Availability class 2: Extended availability. Design with partial redundancies based on a supply path

Availability class 3: High availability. Design with redundant components based on two supply paths (but only one refrigeration supply path)

Availability class 4: Very high availability. Design with system redundancies based on two supply paths (but only one refrigeration supply path)

TIA 942-B Ratings (1-4)

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop voluntary, consensus-based industry standards for a wide variety of Information and Communication Technologies.

TIA-942-B will define the various data center uptime standards based on its Design, Siteand Ready.

ANSI/TIA-942 describes four Rating levels in which data centers can be classified. Below are the high level descriptions of each Rating level.  

Rated-1: Basic site Infrastructure 

A data center which has single capacity components and a single, non-redundant distribution path serving the computer equipment. It has limited protection against physical events.

Rated-2: Redundant Capacity Component Site Infrastructure
A data center which has redundant capacity components and a single, non-redundant distribution path serving the computer equipment.  It has improved protection against physical events.

Rated-3: Concurrently Maintainable Site Infrastructure
A data center which has redundant capacity components and multiple independent distribution paths serving the computer equipment. Typically, only one distribution path serves the computer equipment at any time. The site is concurrently maintainable which means that each and every capacity component including elements which are part of the distribution path, can be removed/replaced/serviced on a planned basis without disrupting the ICT capabilities to the End-User. It has protection against most physical events.

Rated-4: Fault Tolerant Site InfrastructureA data center which has redundant capacity components and multiple independent distribution paths serving the computer equipment which all are active. The data center allows concurrent maintainability and one (1) fault anywhere in the installation without causing downtime. It has protection against almost all physical events.

Typically the TIA 942-B certifications will look like below,

Note : TIA does not issue data centre certificates.Any certified 3rd party auditing (e.g. Datwyler & EPI) will evaluate the site as per TIA 942 B standards and provide this.

Click here to continue reading - Article 3