After reviewing the assigned readings and videos, you will write a paper of at least 5
pages that discusses the importance of a well-designed data center. The paper must
address the following questions:
What features and efficiencies are required to keep the data center running well?
How can data integrity be preserved through smart data center design?
What things are important to maintain both the hardware, software, and the data
itself?
CSIS 352
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RESEARCH PAPER GRADING RUBRIC
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content 70%
Advanced 90–100%
Proficient 70–89%
Developing 1–69%
Not present
Introduction
and conclusion
9 to 10 points
The introduction accurately outlines the
project’s primary objectives and
justifies necessity for a solution. The
conclusion explains the outcomes and
solutions with excellence. More than 2
scholarly sources and 400 words
combined.
7 to 8 points
The introduction accurately outlines
most of the project’s primary
objectives and justifies necessity for a
solution and/or the conclusion
explains the outcomes and solutions.
Minimum of 2 scholarly sources and
400 words combined.
1 to 6 points
The introduction accurately outlines
some of the project’s primary
objectives and/or inadequately justifies
necessity for a solution and/or the
conclusion fails to explain the
outcomes and solutions and/or does
not meet the minimum of 2 scholarly
sources and 400 words combined.
0 points
Substantially unmet or not
present
Plan and
Report
45 to 50 points
Report details all objectives required in
the instructions with excellent logic,
organization, and supporting references.
Report indicates mastery of the subject
matter and exceeds the textbook
examples in quality and detail. Over
2,500 words and 5 unique scholarly
journal articles or respected
whitepapers relevant to the solution.
35 to 44 points
Report details all objectives required
in the instructions with adequate
logic, organization, and supporting
references and/or report indicates
comprehension of the subject matter
and meets the textbook examples in
quality and detail and/or a minimum
of 2,500 words and 5 unique
scholarly journal articles or respected
whitepapers relevant to the solution.
1 to 34 points
Report is missing objectives required
in the instructions with adequate logic,
organization, and supporting
references and/or report indicates
some misunderstanding of the subject
matter and/or does not meet the
textbook examples in quality and
detail and/or a minimum of 2,500
words and 5 unique scholarly journal
articles or respected whitepapers
relevant to the solution.
0 points
Substantially unmet or not
present
Project
Solution
41 to 45 points
Presents optimal solution and sound
methodology in support of solution.
32 to 40 points
Presents solution and methodology in
support of solution.
1 to 31 points
Presents partial solution and/or partial
methodology in support of solution.
0 points
Substantially unmet or not
present
Structure 30%
Advanced 90–100%
Proficient 70–89%
Developing 1–69%
Not present
APA,
Grammar,
and Spelling
23 to 25 points
Properly formatted APA paper with
table of contents and references pages.
Correct spelling and grammar used.
Contains fewer than 2 errors in
grammar or spelling that distract the
reader from the content and/or minimal
errors (1–2) noted in the interpretation
or execution of proper APA format.
Excellent organization, headings, and
flow of the main concepts exist.
18 o 22 points
Paper contains fewer than 5 errors in
grammar or spelling that distract the
reader from the content and/or some
errors (3–7) noted in the
interpretation or execution of proper
APA format and/or inadequate
organization, headings, and flow of
the main concepts exist and/or
notable absences in required APA
formatting elements such as: Title
1 to 17 points
Paper contains fewer than 10 errors in
grammar or spelling that distract the
reader from the content and/or
numerous errors (7+) noted in the
interpretation or execution of proper
APA format and/or inadequate
organization, headings, and flow of the
main concepts exist and/or notable
absences in required APA formatting
elements such as: Title page, running
0 points
Paper contains more than
10 errors in grammar or
spelling that distract the
reader from the content
and/or numerous errors
(10+) noted in the
interpretation or execution
of proper APA format
and/or inadequate
organization, headings,
CSIS 352
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page, running head, font type and size
(Times New Roman 12 point), and
line spacing.
head, font type and size (Times New
Roman 12 point), and line spacing.
and flow of the main
concepts exist.
Overall
Requirements
18 to 20 points
Over 2,500 words and uses a minimum
of 5 unique scholarly peer reviewed
journal articles from well-respected IT
journals that directly relate to and
sufficiently support the research
14 to 17 points
Minimum of 2,500 words and 4 or
less scholarly peer reviewed journal
articles from well-respected IT
journals exist that relate to and
sufficiently support the research.
1 to 13 points
Less than 2,500 words and 3 or less
scholarly peer reviewed journal
articles from well-respected IT
journals that relate to and sufficiently
support the research
0 points
Substantially unmet or not
present.
Total Points
OUTLINE
Importance of a Well-designed Data Center
Thesis statement. This paper seeks to evaluate the importance of a well-designed data center. It
focuses on outlining the necessary features and efficiencies to ensure that the data center is
running well. More so, it solves the issue of data integrity by providing a holistic overview.
I. Introduction
II. Features and efficiencies of a well-designed data center
III. Data integrity preservation
IV. Maintaining hardware, software, and data
V. Conclusion
1
Importance of a Well-designed Data Center
Name
Institution
Date
2
Introduction
A well-designed data center can perform at a high level by housing servers and other
information technology equipment for many years in the future. The efficacy of the data center
largely depends on the considerations in the overall design. Major aspects are reliable power and
cooling strategy, automation of every component, and measurable workflow process (Mahendran
and Mekala, 2018). A properly designed data center will have excellent network infrastructure,
storage infrastructure, and computing resources. Due to the increase in innovation and technicality,
experts have built three tier data centers that are more efficient in power backup and redundancy.
However, major ethical concerns and risks cloud the design of efficient data centers. This paper
seeks to evaluate the importance of a well-designed data center. It focuses on outlining the
necessary features and efficiencies to ensure that the data center is running well. More so, it solves
the issue of data integrity by providing a holistic overview.
Features and efficiencies of a well-designed data center
A well-designed data center must incorporate the aspect of optimal space and capacity
planning. The aspect involves the use of virtualization technology to maintain an optimal density.
The infrastructure decreases the number of racks and power circuits necessary and provides the
highest level of computing and storage (Nasirian and Faghani, 2019). All this can occur in the
smallest footprint, thus requiring fewer servers to complete vast tasks. It implies that a well-
designed data center can reduce the necessity of purchasing new servers, hence low costs. Also, it
can improve the performance and use of the existing hardware. The infrastructure achieves these
characteristics by having small building blocks which can be divided into smaller blocks. In this
case, there is easier scalability and fragmentation to utilize the smallest footprint available.
3
In terms of scalability, data centers comprise flexible infrastructure to incorporate fast
upgrades and storage easily. Yang, Puthal, Mohanty, and Kougianos (2017) posits that many
organizations and information technology centers have room for scalability and adjustment to
handle various dynamics. Changing the business environment can affect the functionality of many
organizations, especially when they do not adjust their systems to meet the new requirements. A
well-designed data center does not lack the characteristic of scalability capable of implementing
modular systems and on-demand infrastructure. In this case, it provides simplicity to create and
scale applications to meet new requirements. These requirements can range from security,
governance, storage, and data sovereignty.
Scalability and enormous data storage features imply that the data center needs an efficient
cooling system. With efficient cooling infrastructure, the data centers can reduce the costs of power
in the organization. Also, it provides flexibility and easier implementation in various facilities as
it meets the ASHRAE organization's regulations on air temperatures (McFarlane, 2021). In this
case, the various firms can satisfy their needs of using large data centers and functionalities.
Organizations need to have proper documentation, planning, and understanding of
procedures to achieve their objectives. A well-designed data center does not only achieve these
requirements but also provides for activity monitoring and control. The data center comprises live
data center tours, ready accessibility, and proper organization of the infrastructure. In this case,
implementing a well-designed data center does not only aid in achieving efficiency but also
meeting the policies and procedures. It implies that the organization can easily provide quality
services and products. They can also mitigate risks that damage the operations and procedures of
the execution of activities.
4
A well-designed data center offers optimal security to the process and various modules. It
achieves security through proper documentation of the methods and procedures. Other features are
secure cabinets, mantraps, biometrics, ballistic walls, and keycards. Multi-tier control measures
ensure that there is maximum security from unauthorized personnel. Further, video surveillance
and monitoring are efficient in boosting the security of the data centers. Therefore, the organization
can carry on its activities while it provides privacy of data and valuable infrastructure.
Data integrity preservation
During various models in a data center, there is an essential requirement to confirm
confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility triangle. These three regulatory7 components ensure
that there is data integrity and confidentiality during the execution of various tasks. Data centers
design ought to meet the necessity of confidentiality at a lower cost. These requirements are driven
by the need to meet business rules and compliance requirements in the organization. Achievements
of these requirements remain a major challenge when designing a data center. Competent and
expert developers develop smart data design systems that surplus these needs in an imperative
manner.
Smart design centers boost the organization's performance by reducing variations such as
downtime and accessibility (Im, Shin, and Jeong, 2018). In the current dynamic and competitive
business environment, organizations must maintain a constant flow of activities and security to
sustain their operations. More so, they need to provide the much-needed trust to their customers
and privacy of information. Various models such as the Internet of Things, e-commerce, cloud,
and software-as-a-service have increased the interaction between the organization and consumers
(Lanka and Bajracharya, 2018). Therefore, there is a dire need to ensure that the operation of the
data center remains active throughout the period.
5
Previously various challenges such as power outages and breakdown of management
systems led to the closure of data centers. It was necessary to avail time for data validation and
cleanup. The introduction of smart data centers design meant an integrated electrical power system
such as an automatic backup generator. Also, an intelligent power management system ensures
that there are low costs in the alternative power generation. There are numerous infrastructure
advancements with the smart data center design, which means more system cooling. In this case,
the organization can achieve much-needed data security at lower costs. Also, there is the
maximization of monitoring and control of the system, which is in operation at all times.
Efficient monitoring of the data center and non-stop operations ensure that critical
information technology is safe at all times. Also, easier accessibility increases the confidentiality
and integrity of the data center. Easy accessibility and flexibility features are the key points in the
preservation of data integrity in data centers. However, as much as smart data centers achieve, The
information technology industry is dynamic, and innovations can make irrelevance of the existing
features.
Maintaining hardware, software, and data
Cleaning, inspection, and care stand out as the most integral aspects of maintaining
hardware and software. Backing up the data can ensure continuity of activities, especially when
the current storage infrastructure breaks down. Maintaining these components facilitates the
reduction of costs and prevention of failures in the future. Cleaning up consists of the removal of
dust from the physical components since it can destroy circuit boards. Also, dust can trap heat
which results in overheating and poor performance. An ultimate well-designed data center does
not accommodate dust since it operates optimally when extremely cool system.
6
Mess cables and clutter can result in snags and stresses on the hardware ports.
Interconnections involving many peripherals require the implementation of a proper cable
management system (Luo, Yu, Foerster, Noormohammadpour, and Schmid, 2020). These steps
can aid in providing good ventilation of the hardware to facilitate an efficient cooling system. It
also lowers costs and the necessity for extra tools and equipment in the entire data center. It is also
imperative to organize the installation disks to prevent damage and slowness during a
troubleshooting session. Proper maintenance of the software and peripheral can help in avoiding
issues such as data loss and breakages.
Other important aspects include running antiviruses and spyware scans. Software and data
are extensively prone to hacking and clogging with viruses. Installing good antivirus software will
ensure that there is data safety and smooth functioning. Cleaning up the software through the
removal of programs and drivers can improve the systems. Virus, spam programs, Adware, and
SpyBots, can result in loss of data and slowing down the system. Deleting temporary files and
unnecessary components in the operating system can result in the software's efficiency and good
performance. It is also imperative to maintain constant hardware and software updates to meet
current requirements and policies.
Conclusion
A well-designed data center can support the operations and functionalities of an
organization for many years in the future. It provides for data integrity, confidentiality, and
accessibility which boosts the relationships between businesses and customers. Efficient power-
management systems and reliability provide a competitive advantage due to high functionality.
Maintaining effective functioning and capacity requires a good cooling system and actions such
as cleaning and data backup.
7
References
Im, I., Shin, D., & Jeong, J. (2018). Components for smart autonomous ship architecture based on
intelligent information technology. Procedia computer science, 134, 91-98.
Lanka, S., & Bajracharya, S. (2018, December). Incorporating big data with IoT in data center
analytics. In 2018 International Conference on Smart Systems and Inventive Technology
(ICSSIT) (pp. 240-245). IEEE.
Luo, L., Yu, H., Foerster, K. T., Noormohammadpour, M., & Schmid, S. (2020). Inter-datacenter
bulk transfers: Trends and challenges. IEEE Network, 34(5), 240-246.
Mahendran, N., & Mekala, T. (2018). Improving Energy Efficiency of Virtual Resource Allocation
In Cloud Datacenter [J]. Indian journal of science and technology, 11(19), 1-8.
McFarlane, R. E. (2021). ASHRAE STANDARDS AND PRACTICES FOR DATA
CENTERS. Data Center Handbook: Plan, Design, Build, and Operations of a Smart Data
Center, 175-191.
Nasirian, S., & Faghani, F. (2019). Crystal: a scalable and fault-tolerant Archimedean-based
server-centric cloud data center network architecture. Computer Communications, 147,
159-179.
Yang, C., Puthal, D., Mohanty, S. P., & Kougianos, E. (2017). Big-sensing-data curation for the
cloud is coming: A promise of scalable cloud-data-center mitigation for next-generation
IoT and wireless sensor networks. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, 6(4), 48-56.
