Data Center Management

Work Request Policies

To request work from DCOPS, submit request in Service Now to “ITS-Data-Center-Operations”

• Our catalog item can be found under the heading “Servers and Storage”
• It can also be found by searching “Data Center Operations” from any Service Now search window

NOTE: If the scope of the project is large and complex or you feel a meeting is needed, please contact us at dcops@unc.edu prior to entering request(s).

How to request work from ITS Data Center Operations

• Service Now request –
  • Any addition of, change to, or removal of a device on an ITS Data Center floor
  • Any facility related request (power, HVAC, chilled water, UPS, generator, or physical security)
  • Troubleshooting racked device issues (network problems, etc.)
  • Request for purchase of infrastructure items or supplies within the data center.

Data Center Configuration Item Inventory

Policy

All requests for additions, changes, and removals to Configuration Items (CI) in the ITS inventory must be submitted through the Service Now application. A physical inventory of the data centers is conducted on a regular basis and reconciled to the CI database.

Procedures

Use the System Registration application when a device is being added, changed or removed from an ITS Data Center. All CI’s will be scanned regularly and reconciled to the CI database.

Standards

All CI’s must be rack mountable.

Data Center Supply Inventory

Policy

ITS Data Center Operations (DCOPS) maintains sufficient levels of supplies within the data centers to provide connectivity and power to all Configuration Items. For a list of standard items kept on hand, see the standards section below.

• All supply items may be billable back to the customer.
• Exceptions to supply standards must be cleared with DCOPS.

Procedures

DCOPS maintains an inventory of data center supplies. As supplies are consumed, inventory stock sheets in the data centers must be updated.

Standards

Servers

• Must be rack mountable
• Dual, switched mode power supplies are recommended
• Power – 208vac

Server Racks

• APC AR3307 – 48U 23.5″ x 48″ 87.5″
• APC AR3303 – 42U 23″ x 42″ x 81.5″
• APC AR3350 – 42U 78.39” H x 29.53” W x 47.24” D
• APC AR3357 – 48U 88.90” H x 29.53” W x 47.24” DAPC AR2101 – 42U 23″ x 42″ x 81.5″ (discontinued)

Cables

• Ethernet uses Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) in all locations
  • Booted on one end
  • Label length on both ends
  • Lengths – 1-10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50ft
  • Colors
    • Yellow – Standard network connection
    • Blue – KVM
    • Green – Serial
    • Purple – Monitoring
    • Red – Crossover
    • White – Storage
• Power
  • Black C13 to C14
    • 208vac
    • Lengths 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6ft
  • Black C19 to C20
    • 208vac
    • Lengths 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6ft
  • Black C13 to C20
    • 208vac
    • Lengths 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6ft
  • Black C14 to C19
    • 208vac
    • Lengths 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6ft

Remote Access Hardware

• KVM switch configuration
  • MPU4032 – 32 port
• Serial switch configurations
  • ACS8000 – 48 port

Rack Management

Policy

Racks are the property of ITS, to be managed by Data Center Operations (DCOPS). DCOPS will place equipment in racks based on the most efficient use of data center floor space.

Standards

• Only one device may be installed per rack unit.
• Devices should be racked from the bottom up.
• Refer to inventory management for rack standards
• All racked devices are to be placed in the rack location designated (and approved by DCOPS) on the Service Now request.
• Servers will be racked facing cold aisle.
• Networking devices mounted in server racks will face the hot aisle.

Row Management

Policy

DCOPS will manage rows based on networking and rack usage efficiencies.

Standards

• All server racks will face the cold aisle.
• Copper and fiber optic patch panels on each row connect back to the core row.
• Cold aisles shall have vented floor tiles for cold air circulation.
• Hot aisles shall have solid floor tiles.
• Each row shall have environmental sensors.

Switch Management

Policy

DCOPS and Networking will manage switch locations, port allocation, and monitoring.

Standards

• See network standards

Power Management

Policy

DCOPS facility managers will work with the customer to define power needs within the capacities of the data center.

Standards

• For devices with dual power supplies, plug each power supply into separate PDUs.
• Established electrical codes will be followed.
• All contracted electrical work will be performed by licensed electricians.

A Service Now request must be entered for any Configuration Item (CI) to be decommissioned. The request process will remove the item from the CI database. The CI can then be picked up by or delivered to the owning department or be sent to Surplus Property. The CI must then be entered into the Surplus Property Management System (SPMS). DCOPS can enter equipment into SPMS for both ITS and other departments, with ONE exception. If the CI has a UNC Asset Management barcode tag (cost greater than $5000) and DOES NOT belong to ITS, the owner of the CI must enter it into SPMS. DCOPS can/will handle surplus pickup of ALL items, if needed.

Procedure

• System owner submits a Service Now request to decommission the CI.
• If the CI is to be sent to surplus, then it must be entered into the SPMS by the owner. DCOPS can handle this for CI’s owned by ITS, and for other departments with the exception noted above.
• Unless otherwise instructed by CI owner, DCOPS will have (and witness) all hard drives shredded by Surplus Property personnel.
• Surplus personnel will call to schedule pickup.  DCOPS may also drop of items at Surplus Property.

All work in ITS Data Centers that requires any of the following must have a <Service Now or email to dcops@unc.edu completed prior to work being performed. The form should be filled out by the owner/system administrator of the device to be registered. Questions about the system registration process should be directed to dcops@unc.edu.

• Installing a new Configuration Item (CI) in a data center rack
• Making a change to an existing CI (i.e. moving to new location, adding KVM access, changing IP address)
• Removing an existing CI from a data center rack
• Request for data center access via One Card

Standards and Protocols

A valid UNC Remedy account is required to access the form.

• All equipment installations, changes, moves, and removals are managed by ITS Data Center Operations.
• All work is to be performed according to ITS Data Center Operations standards. If redundancy is required, machines should be located at both locations, not merely separated by switches on the same machine room floor.
• Installations, moves, changes, and removals will be performed by ITS Data Center Operations personnel with or without system administrators. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.