Power

Power is the lifeblood of any datacentre. Generator backup is a bare minimum starting point, but our primary DCs go much further, and are a core part of the reliability of our services.

With a true 2N power solution from its own substation supplying diverse feeds and integrating Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), our primary Brisbane DC has the ultimate system that delivers reliable power with superior uptime.

• Separate transformers to the existing building
• Final configuration of N + 1 transformers
• 2N UPS systems with monitored battery strings
• True 2N internal power including switchboards
• True 2N internal diverse power feeds down to power rail level
• Dual redundant horizontal 32amp power rails delivery supply to each rack

Networks

With our primary DCs, the internal networks have been built to the TIA/EIA standard. They also feature cutting edge hardware selected after exhaustive research and consultation with multiple vendors.

• Dual Force 10 Core E600 Router .
• Dual communications entry points into building.
• Force 10 Edge switches providing true 10GB backbone interfaces and lowest possible latency in communications.
• Checkpoint firewalls .
• Reflex network security .
• Individual secure client interfaces for monitoring client racks .
• Secure portal for viewing data centre environment .

Fire Protection

The raised floor space of our primary DC is protected against fire by employing state of the art "Very Early Smoke Detection Alarms" (VESDA). This system utilises laser beams to detect even the smallest quantity of smoke particles.

 The fire system has been designed to keep all fire zones separated in sectors, facilitating catastrophe recovery. Keeping the design modular also helps to minimising its data centre footprint.

It also features the latest gas fire supression systems which can replace the entire air volume of a DC room with fire suppressant gas in around two seconds.

• VESDA type smoke detection system in each room/sector.
• Leak detection in all rooms/sectors.
• Distributed air alarm control
• Fully security-monitored and alarmed fire escapes
• Latest technology automated gas fire supression

Security

Security is essential to a modern data centre, and physical security is of the highest priority. Our primary DC is staffed every hour of every day by technical staff, and has an extensive full-coverage CCTV surveilance system recording every activity. Local police and authorities patrol the area regularly, and the security and fire systems of the building are hard-wired into police and fire response communications hubs.

Motion sensors throughout the complex and latest technology palm scanners work in sync to verbally and visually advise on duty staff of which detected motion is related to which person in the facility, making it impossible to infiltrate undetected.

• 24/7/365 manned security and monitoring .
• Motion detection throughout the facility, internally and externally .
• Separated biometric access and control zones between rooms/sectors.
• Each rack supplied is individually keyed .
• Video surveillance to all entries and exits.
• Video surveillance to each area of the entire building from two points .
• Bomb and fire proof walls & door designs.
• Bullet-proof glass into the Network Operations Centre.
• Separate secure foyer with access logging for entering the Data Centre security zone.

Cooling

Cooling systems are vital for data centres as bulk server equipment generates a lot of heat.  Many DCs have only a single A/C system with some spare equipment on hand, whereas our primary DC goes to a full "2N" architecture whic is very rare. 

The primary DC has a closed water loop for cooling rather than operating an open town water solution used by other similar operations. This is a responsible and forward thinking 'Green approach' being more water efficient and also makes it not reliant upon local utilities for fresh water.

• 2N air condenser plant
• Dual redundant A + B interlaced pipe work feed on air-conditioning
• 2N air conditioning CRAC units in each room/sector
• 100% standby Generator support to mission critical mechanical services
• Modular movable by load air-conditioning units