UNM Data Center and Server Room Standard

Hello,

I am the Sys Admin for UNM Press. We are probably a tier 1, unless we combine our 2 locations, which has been the case in the past, then we would be a tier 2 facility. I have some questions and concerns on this draft.

1. power tap – is this a wall tap? If so, this could be defined as nothing more than an outlet splitter (making one outlet into three outlets, and such). If you mean power strip, same thing. Maybe you are referring to a surge protector, but it notes that surge suppressors should not be used. Can you be more specific? The exact specifications will be useful.

2. In the Standard Specifications section, Section 1 – this refers to Appendix A, but in the definitions of tiers these contradict. For example Tier 1 section states, “The Facility meets minimum requirement for the safe operation and maintenance of computing equipment and protection of assets. Door lock, power tap, UPS recommended.”

But in the chart (Appendix A), there are more requirements such as having an emergency shut off, having UPS (is required and not recommended), building and door security system, more. What are we to follow the chart or the tier classification if they do not match?

3. Continuing on with the requirements for Tier 1. The first few sections about fire alarms, suppression systems, and emergency cut-off systems you refer to national, state, and local building codes. After looking into the City of Albuquerque building code, which refers to the International Building Codes (IBC) from 2009, I have come to the conclusion that these are not requirements at all for my main campus location. We do not even have smoke detectors in that location, and after looking through IBC I can see that UNM can justify us not having one. Question is, if it is a requirement what is the specific policies you are referring to?

Thank you for your help, and thank you for putting this together. I understand the need for it and will work towards compliance when this is official.

Also is there a better way an organization like mine can get word about this document and process besides checking this page every so often? Maybe a message to the IT email list?

Darrell Banward

System Administrator, UNM Press

dbanward@unm.edu

277-0978

I forgot to ask if building security alarms (alarms set at night for entire building) cover the requirement or are the security alarms supposed to be specific to the data center/server room separate from the building alarm?

Is there a proposed timeline for compliance, and when would the Office of the CIO like any variations from the standard to be filed? Is there a standard template for filing an exception? I’m also wondering what manner of communication is preferred for confirming data center standard tier.

Under Process for Review or Update of the Standard, I’m not clear about this language:

Process documentation development

Each site will have policies defining roles, responsibilities, and performance standards

Each site change will require a review and update of all documentation

Site Books will be developed for each site covering all tasks and responsibilities required to support that site. This will include all policies, site standards, and procedures”

Does site refer to a Server Room or Department? This would make sense to me, but I couldn’t tell if it was referring to a service owner responsibility or a process for refining this document.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 2 months ago by elisha.

Sorry about the post above.  Here’s a clean version.

Internal Audit will use the DC Standards to conduct their review of data centers (as with UNM IT DCs).  In addition, we would expect management of the distributed IT organizations to manage to the standards (as minimums).  Finally, if requested by the administration, UNM IT would check for compliance and inform management.

regards,

Brian