How to Avoid 16 Most Common Data Center Management Mistakes

Mistake No. 15: Creating a false sense of security through overreliance on environmental monitoring.

Don't just rely on equipment monitors. You need to walk around the facility every day and use sight, sound and smell to determine if things are amiss. I once heard a strange sound coming from a UPS that I'd never heard before. It turned out there was something fatally wrong with the device. Good data center management is a job for all of the senses!

Mistake No. 16: Assuming that all network connectivity is equal.

Finally, be sure that your service provider partners can ensure the availability and reliability of the data center network (which allows your customers access to their critical data and applications), as well as provide performance-based service-level agreements (SLAs).

Randy J. Ortiz is Director of Data Center Design and Engineering at Internap. A 20-year industry veteran, Randy has overseen the design and construction of more than one million square feet of data center facilities worldwide. He can be reached at randyo@internap.com.