Data Center Operations and Management

Information Technology and Digital Systems October 25, 2025
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Introduction

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the critical operational and management aspects of a modern data center, moving beyond just the IT equipment to cover the physical infrastructure that houses it. Participants will learn about facility design principles, power and cooling systems, security, and the best practices for optimizing data center performance and efficiency. The focus is on maintaining a highly available, secure, and sustainable environment, which is paramount for supporting the organization's mission-critical applications and data.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the core components of a modern, resilient data center facility.
  • Explain the principles of power distribution, UPS, and generator systems.
  • Analyze and manage cooling systems, including CRAC/CRAH units and hot/cold aisle containment.
  • Implement physical and environmental security measures for a data center.
  • Utilize Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools for monitoring and capacity planning.
  • Apply best practices for asset, inventory, and change management within the facility.
  • Understand and calculate key data center metrics like PUE and uptime.
  • Develop and execute effective disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Target Audience

  • Data Center Operations Managers and Technicians.
  • Facilities Engineers responsible for data center infrastructure.
  • IT Managers overseeing server and network hardware deployment.
  • Auditors and Compliance Officers involved in data center oversight.
  • Individuals preparing for the Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) certification.

Methodology

  • Case studies on major data center failures and lessons learned.
  • Group activities focused on optimizing a data center layout for PUE improvement.
  • Individual exercises in calculating power and cooling capacity.
  • Scenario-based training on emergency response and security protocols.

Personal Impact

  • Develop a holistic understanding of all elements of a mission-critical facility.
  • Acquire the knowledge to manage the physical layer of the IT stack efficiently.
  • Increase strategic value by linking facility performance to business objectives.
  • Improve ability to assess and mitigate physical and environmental risks.
  • Gain competence in DCIM tools and efficiency metrics.

Organizational Impact

  • Significant reduction in risk of downtime due to power or cooling failure.
  • Lower operational costs through optimized energy efficiency (lower PUE).
  • Improved compliance and security for sensitive data and equipment.
  • More accurate capacity planning, preventing costly over-provisioning.
  • Faster and more reliable response to physical incidents and emergencies.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Data Center Facility Fundamentals

Physical Infrastructure
  • Data center tiers and their corresponding uptime and redundancy levels.
  • Facility layout: raised floors, structured cabling, and rack configuration.
  • Site selection criteria and environmental risk assessment.
  • Introduction to modular and containerized data centers.
Power Systems
  • Power flow from utility to IT equipment (AC/DC conversion).
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): types, capacity, and runtime.
  • Generator systems, automatic transfer switches (ATS), and fuel management.
  • Power distribution units (PDUs) and power monitoring.

Unit 2: Cooling and Environmental Management

Cooling Infrastructure
  • Principles of heat dissipation and thermal management.
  • Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC) and Air Handler (CRAH) units.
  • Hot aisle/cold aisle containment strategies.
  • Supplemental cooling, liquid cooling, and free cooling techniques.
Environmental Monitoring
  • Monitoring temperature, humidity, and airflow.
  • Fire detection and suppression systems (e.g., clean agent systems).
  • Water detection and leak prevention.
  • Managing seismic and vibration risks.

Unit 3: Management, Operations, and Compliance

Operational Procedures
  • Rack and stack procedures and equipment handling.
  • Structured cabling management and labeling standards.
  • Change management and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Maintaining an accurate asset inventory (CMDB).
Metrics and Efficiency
  • Calculating Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and its variants.
  • Understanding DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) tools.
  • Capacity planning for power, space, and cooling.
  • Compliance standards (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001) in a data center context.

Unit 4: Security and High Availability

Physical Security
  • Layers of physical security (perimeter, facility, cage, rack).
  • Access control systems: biometrics, badge readers, and video surveillance.
  • Visitor management and escort procedures.
  • Securing maintenance and vendor access.
High Availability and Recovery
  • Designing for N, N+1, and 2N redundancy.
  • Developing and testing Business Continuity Plans (BCP).
  • Data backup, offsite storage, and disaster recovery strategies.
  • Understanding RTO (Recovery Time Objective) and RPO (Recovery Point Objective).

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