Module Details

Module Code: COMP I8004
Full Title: Data Centre Infrastructure
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Peadar Grant
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: Current trends including expansion of data collection, continued growth of e-Commerce and the large scale adoption of cloud computing have fuelled the need for scalable computing density, efficiency and reliability. Data centres have become a critical component in fulfilling these needs in centralised, onsite and edge locations. This module introduces concepts in the data centre infrastructure and goes through the stack from building facilities to service delivery covering key technologies, operations, standards and management best practices.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Conduct data centre space planning and energy calculations
MLO2 Evaluate contrasting data centre cooling techniques, fire suppression and security provisions.
MLO3 Design data centre networking infrastructure to provide segmentation, scalability, monitoring and lights-out management.
MLO4 Incorporate professional standards into Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM).
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Introduction
History of data centres, Overview of critical services, Data centre design, Types of data centre architecture, Business needs as a driver, Geographic location as a consideration. European and regional standards, legal requirements and emerging community standards: EU CoC, LEED, BREEAM & IDCA, Emerging trends
Electrical Power Systems
Basics of electricity, AC and DC power solutions, Power quality, ITIC/CBEMA Power Quality Curve, Power distribution within a data centre. Calculation of Power Factor, UPS technology, Managing UPS capacity, Standby/backup power, European and regional standards, codes and regulations for electricity, Maintenance and scalability, Risk Management, Monitoring and control strategies, Renewable power and future trends.
Cooling and Fire Suppression
Basics of cooling, cooling options, Monitoring and control strategies, Global, European and regional standards: ASHRAE, Efficiency of cooling systems CoP/EER, Heat re-use, Design considerations, hot aisle/cold aisle setup, Air management, Raised Flooring, Liquid cooled servers, Risk Management, Monitoring and control strategies, Emerging trends in cooling and environmental control systems. Fire regulations, Fire prevention strategies, Fire detection, fire suppression: including water, water-mist & gaseous suppressants, Case Studies.
Physical and Logical Security
Security plan considerations, Physical security policies, Logical security policies, Data protection, Decommissioning equipment, Regulations and standards, Monitoring and control strategies.
Infrastructure Management
Facilities management, BMS and EMS, Integrated systems and interfaces, Monitoring and reporting systems for services using tools such as Nagios and Zabbix, Server configuration management using tools such as ansible and chef. Drivers in infrastructure management, DCIM technology, Infrastructure moves, adds and changes, Documentation, Future trends.
IT and Network Infrastructure
Data Centre network cabling, Cabling standards TIA/EIA-942, Structured cabling, Twisted pair copper cable and fibre cable standards, UTP and STP, Cable containment methods best practices: instillation and daily operations, network topology, bandwidth requirements, Considerations for server deployment and virtualisation, Redundancy, Failover, scalability and emerging trends, Network traffic monitoring using tools like MRTG, Case studies, field visit to a range of Data Centres.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work60.00%
Final Examination40.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcome 2,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Field Visits - Case study/Written Report on Data Centre Infrastructure Management
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Assignment to assess key concepts of space planning, monitoring, power, efficiency and failover.
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 120
Assessment Description
End of Semester closed book exam

Part Time On Campus

Course Work
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcome 2,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Field Visits - Case study/Written Report on Data Centre Infrastructure Management
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Assignment to assess key concepts of space planning, monitoring, power, efficiency and failover
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 120
Assessment Description
End of Semester closed book exam
Reassessment Requirement
A repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact 1x 1h lecture per week Every Week 1.00 1
Practical Contact 1x 2h practical per week Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact - Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact - Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time On Campus
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact 1x 1h lecture per week Every Week 1.00 1
Practical Contact 1x 2h practical per week Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact - Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact - Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Jim Harrison. (2012), KS18 Data Centres: An Introduction to Concepts and Design, Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, [ISBN: 9781906846244].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources