Are there options for expanding our existing data center?

There's tons of options! Even on a small budget! I've worked on several data center migrations of varying sizes and the biggest factor I've seen in determining where to go with your data center (especially if you're considering a colocated option) namely being your throughput needs, and the replication (if necessary) between facilities.

I'd be happy to shoot some ideas around if you need a little info. I'd probably recommend a major virtualization initiative to first consolidate what you can and reduce your physical footprint. Then from there identify the throughput needs which would determine the type of internet connection you'd be looking at if you had to go with a colo scenario.

In my experience, the easiest thing to do is consoidate, and colocate.

Virtualizing low-utilization servers is often the most low-hanging fruit. A good many legacy servers can be used to run two- or even three-way virtualization stacks. Even if the processors don't have the latest native VM support, it is exactly the old machines that are currently running at 7% utilization that make some sense to reuse and push to their bandwidth walls. This is especially true for perimeter services like DHCP, DNS, and so on. Similarly, virtualization makes a bunch of sense for setting up and tearing down test and certification environments.

You have to be a little careful because static quiescent load does not always translate well to peak load on such machines ... IOW, you have to pick your spots. But I have yet to see a data center that didn't have some opportunity in this area to free up some rack space (or reuse existing servers).

I've done a bunch of these kinds of assessments for clients and they always end up having the same problem: Most companies do not have an accurate inventory of just what is in their data center, let alone how busy the machinery is. The frontend of any such project therefore, almost always ends up being a "taking inventory" processes, and then determining just what the best virtualization candidates are.

You really need to look at not only the cost of expansion, but also the cost of what the data center is today. Power, cooling, real estate start to take its toll. Do you have available real estate to expand where you are, what are the capex reqt's along with the longer term opex.

You should weigh colocation with a proven data center service provider against trying to internally support the center. If you decide to consider the latter, I can certainly help in the ROI process.

Regards.

Hello,

I agree with the posters above -- take a hard look at virtualizing instead of expanding your data center. As a tech reporter, I have been working on stories about users doing this very thing.
It's not all about building more floor space nowadays. It's about analyzing your IT needs, data storage needs and then building what will fill those needs. Virtualizing can save on floor space, power and cooling, staffing costs, downtime, hardware needs and more.
Check out VMware, Microsoft's Hyper-V R2 and Citrix Systems XenServer.
Lots of options, lots of alternatives and lots of cool ideas.
If you are worried about doing it on your own, find a trusted partner and let them help you.
There are plenty of businesses doing these same things right now.
I can steer you to Web sites and some of my recent stories on these topics if you are interested.

Best wishes,

Todd

Another option you might want to look at is getting the infrastructure as a service using a company like HostedSolutions. www.hostedsolutions.com You can put your own equipment in an internet data center, get the equipment as part of the service, or use a virtual/cloud environment.

Rachel,

We are presented with this scenario on a daily basis and I am proud to say that we have been able to successfully assist clients in obtaining the right Solution while keeping an eye on the bottom line. A large part of our efforts, and subsequently our success, is based on focusing at integrating & utilizing your current assets.

Specifically, I would recommend an Assessment (No Charge) which takes about 30 minutes by running a command on your TSM/NBU server. This would provide us with an understanding of the Types and the Amount of Data being protected.

Secondly, we should have a brief conversation and make sure your requirements (i.e. Usable TB's needed, retention policies, SLA's, dedupe, replication, pricing, customer support, etc.,) are accruately understood.

Finally, we would propose a solution that starts with your current requirements and let's you grow at your own pace. Over engineered Solutions are a too common and too costly for clients in todays Economy.
In a plug and play Grid Based Architecture, we can offer you many options. This could be anything from a Rack Ready Solution to a Enterprise Class Solution.

The SEPATON Solution is specifically designed/priced for each Client. The SEPATON Experience is one that harkens back to the days when the Vendor provided the Customer a Personable and Long Term Relationship.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a response.

Professionally Yours,

Rex Porter

Debbie,

You have many different options from a Storage perspective. While I am obvioulsy partial to the SEPATON / HDS solution, the Storage Industry continues to evolve and bring about "Greener & More Cost Effective Solutions".

Hosted Options, Vitualization & Co-Lo's are all viable options depending on both your budget and future direction for the DC. In my experience, the more detailed you can be with your "Vendors/Manufacturers" the quicker you can begin to carve out viable options.

Lastly, look for expertise within the Companies you consider. Many may claim to have an "understanding" of Data Center Operations. However, this is not the same thing as having a "working knowledge" of DC challenges. The difference results in becoming just a Client to someone, or developing a long-term Partnership. The latter of the 2 will be more likely to ensure your success.

Feel free to drop us a line, and we can chat further about the details associated with your near and long term goals.

Regards,

Rex Porter
SEPATON Inc.,