Data centers have become the norm, transforming into integral components of numerous companies’ business strategies. Determining the capability of a data center facility’s service is paramount to providing the top connectivity options. Only a data center’s infrastructure can successfully sustain connectivity, store vital data, and power up technological revolutions over time.
Understanding the baseline of data center infrastructure is a reliable method to compare performance abilities and align operational investments to business goals. The Uptime Institute established a classification of four tiers to explain the requirements of system availability. Objectively, each of these tiers matches business function and defines the necessary criteria for power, monitoring, maintenance, and cooling capabilities. Let’s examine the four data center tiers and their importance.
Tier I Data Center: Basic Capacity
Tier I data centers are facilities at the most basic level. These facilities have a single pathway for power and cooling capacities that protect against human error but not unplanned system disruptions. The expected uptime is 99.6 percent. Though the infrastructure components are simple, this does not mean that level one is not applicable for small business needs. More complexity may be an over-investment.
Tier II Data Center: Redundant Capacity Components
Compared to the above tier, Tier II data centers contain a single pathway for power and cooling capacities. However, supplementary redundant and backup components also comprise the infrastructure. These facilities supply enhanced safety against disruptions and improved upkeep prospects. The expected uptime is 99.7 percent.
This tier is a valuable stepping stone for businesses that are growing and anticipate increasing demands. This data center tier provides a balance between cost. It also accentuates data center tiers and their importance by showing the differences between them and what an upgraded data center can do for you.
Tier III Data Center: Synchronically Maintainable Capacity
Tier III data centers are unlike the lower foundational tiers, as they require no system shutdowns for replacement or maintenance. These facilities contain multiple pathways for power and cooling capacities alongside in-place distribution devices to keep everything online. The expected uptime is 99.98 percent. With an annual average of one hour of downtime per year, these infrastructure specifications are utilized by larger businesses and organizations.
Tier IV Data Center: Fault-Tolerant Independent Systems
When considering the four data center tiers and their importance, recognizing superior performance standards will help you choose the right infrastructure level to invest in. Tier IV data centers are the highest classification. Typically serving enterprise corporations that require the littlest possible downtime, the expected uptime is 99.99 percent. These facilities require continuous cooling capacities and contain physically isolated power systems to prevent compromising events. This separation and fault tolerance is a necessity to create the most stable operational environment.
Now that you have knowledge about the data center tiers and their importance, turn to PowerWhips for your data center’s power applications. We carry heavy-duty IEC, NEMA, Russellstoll devices alongside a coordinating SO power cord to meet industry standards. We have you covered with our top-quality cables and highly durable assemblies. Contact us at (262) 966-3741, or visit our Contact Page for any questions about product specifications or ways to upgrade your facility to a tier IV data center.