Networld Technology Limited

UDAY Tower, Gulshan Ave

Dhaka 1212

Datacenter
Overview
A datacenter is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as
telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies,
redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression),
and various security devices. These facilities are designed to provide a secure and controlled environment to
store, process, and manage large amounts of data.

Data Centers are used by organizations such as businesses, government agencies, and educational
institutions to host their critical applications and data. They provide the necessary infrastructure for running
websites, web applications, cloud-based services, internet of things (IoT) devices, artificial intelligence (AI)
models, video streaming, and blockchain networks. Data Centers can be owned and operated by the
organization that uses them, or they can be leased from a third-party provider.

Data Centers vary in size, from small facilities that take up a single room, to large facilities that take up
several floors or even entire buildings. They can also vary in terms of the services they provide, from basic
storage and processing, to more advanced services such as virtualization, disaster recovery, and security.

Building a datacenter is a complex process that involves several steps, including planning and design, site
preparation, equipment installation, testing and commissioning, operations and maintenance, and security.
It's important to have a well-planned and executed strategy to ensure that the datacenter is built to meet the
organization's needs and requirements.

In summary, a datacenter is a facility that provides the necessary infrastructure to store, process, and
manage large amounts of data. It is typically used by organizations to host their critical applications and data.
It varies in size, service and design and it's a complex and costly process to build and maintain one.

Use Cases for Data Center

Data Centers have many different use cases, but some of the most common include:

1. Cloud computing: Many companies use datacenters to provide cloud-based services such as
storage, computing power, and software as a service (SaaS) to their customers.
2. Data storage and backup: Data Centers are used to store and protect large amounts of data, such as
customer information, financial records, and digital assets. They are also used to create backups of
this data to protect against data loss or corruption.
3. Web hosting: Data Centers are used to host websites and web applications, providing the necessary
infrastructure for them to be accessible to users around the world.
4. Internet of Things (IoT): Data Centers are used to collect, process, and store data from connected
devices such as sensors, cameras, and smart appliances.
 5. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Data Centers are used to train and run AI models, as they require large
amounts of data and computing power.
6. Video streaming: Data Centers are used to host and stream videos to users, which requires large
amounts of storage and bandwidth.
7. Blockchain: Data Centers are used to support blockchain networks and process transactions.
8. High-performance computing: Data Centers are used to run high-performance computing
workloads, such as scientific simulations, financial modeling, and other compute-intensive tasks.

Data Centers in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a growing number of datacenters, which are being used by both local and international
companies to support their IT operations. These data centers provide a range of services, including cloud
computing, data storage, web hosting, and disaster recovery.

In Bangladesh, data centers are typically operated by telecommunications companies, internet service
providers (ISPs), and large IT companies. Some examples of datacenters in Bangladesh include:

1. Grameenphone: Grameenphone is a leading telecommunications company in Bangladesh, and

operates several datacenters to support its IT operations.
2. Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL): BSCCL operates a datacenter in
Bangladesh to support the country's international internet connectivity.
3. Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC): BCC operates several data centers across the country to
support the government's IT operations.
4. Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL): BTCL operates a datacenter in Dhaka
to support its IT operations and provide hosting services to other companies.
5. Bangladesh Internet Exchange Limited (BDIX) : BDIX is a neutral internet exchange point and also
operates a datacenter to support its internet exchange point operations.

However, as of now, still, Bangladesh is lacking in large scale and international standard data centers. The
government and private sectors are planning to establish more international standard datacenters in the
future.

Steps to Build a Data Center

Building a datacenter is a complex process that involves several steps, and it's important to have a
well-planned and executed strategy to ensure that the datacenter is built to meet the organization's needs
and requirements. Here are some of the steps involved in building a datacenter:

1. Planning and design: This is the first step in building a datacenter, and it involves determining the
organization's specific needs and requirements, as well as the size and design of the facility. This step
also includes assessing the location, considering the power and cooling requirements, and
determining the necessary infrastructure, such as power distribution and backup systems.
2. Site preparation: Once the design and location of the datacenter are determined, the site will need
to be prepared. This includes clearing the land, laying the foundation, and installing the necessary
utilities, such as electricity, water, and cooling systems.
 3. Equipment installation: After the site is prepared, the equipment such as servers, storage systems,
and other hardware can be installed. This step also includes the installation of power distribution and
backup systems, as well as the necessary cabling and networking equipment.
4. Testing and commissioning: Once the equipment is installed, it will need to be tested to ensure that
it is working properly. This step also includes the commissioning of the cooling and power distribution
systems, as well as the testing of the backup systems.
5. Operations and maintenance: After the datacenter is built and commissioned, it will need to be
operated and maintained. This includes monitoring the equipment and systems, performing regular
maintenance, and troubleshooting and resolving any issues that arise.
6. Security: After the datacenter is built and commissioned, it's important to ensure that the datacenter
is secure. This includes physical security, network security and data security.

It's important to keep in mind that the process of building a datacenter is complex and time-consuming, and it
requires a significant investment in terms of both time and money. Therefore, it's important to consult with
experts in the field to ensure that the datacenter is built to meet the organization's specific needs and
requirements, and to ensure that the datacenter is operational and sustainable in the long run.

Planning and Designing

Planning and designing a datacenter involves a number of steps that are designed to ensure that the facility
is built to meet the organization's specific needs and requirements. Here is an example of a process that can
be used to plan and design a datacenter:

● Assess the organization's needs: The first step in planning and designing a datacenter is to assess
the organization's specific needs. This includes determining the amount of storage and computing
power that is required, as well as the number of servers and other equipment that will be housed in
the facility.
● Determine the location: The next step is to determine the location of the datacenter. This includes
assessing the availability of power, cooling, and other necessary infrastructure in the area. It's also
important to consider the risk of natural disasters and other hazards that may affect the datacenter.
● Design the facility: Once the location is determined, the facility can be designed. This includes
determining the size and layout of the facility, as well as the design of the power and cooling systems.
It's important to ensure that the facility is designed to meet the organization's specific needs and
requirements, and to ensure that the facility is energy-efficient and cost-effective.
● Select equipment and systems: After the facility is designed, the necessary equipment and systems
can be selected. This includes servers, storage systems, power distribution and backup systems, and
cooling systems. It's important to ensure that the equipment and systems are selected to meet the
organization's specific needs and requirements, and to ensure that the equipment and systems are
compatible with the facility's design.
● Develop a project plan: Once the design and equipment are determined, a project plan can be
developed. This includes determining the project schedule, budget, and resource requirements. It's
important to ensure that the project plan is well-organized and that it includes contingencies for
potential issues that may arise during the construction process.
● Get approvals and permits: After the project plan is developed, it's important to get the necessary
approvals and permits from local authorities before the construction can begin.
 ● Construction and commissioning: After the necessary approvals and permits are obtained, the
construction of the facility can begin. Once the construction is complete, the facility will need to be
commissioned, which includes testing the equipment and systems to ensure that they are working
properly.

Site preparation
Site preparation is an important step in building a datacenter, and it involves preparing the land and installing
the necessary utilities to support the facility. Here is an example of a process that can be used to prepare a
site for a datacenter:

● Clearing the land: The first step in site preparation is to clear the land of any debris, trees, or other
obstacles that may be in the way. This step also includes grading the land to ensure that it is level
and stable.
● Laying the foundation: Once the land is cleared, the foundation for the datacenter can be laid. This
includes digging the trenches for the power and cooling systems, and laying the concrete slab or
other foundation material.
● Installing utilities: After the foundation is laid, the necessary utilities can be installed. This includes
electricity, water, and cooling systems. It's important to ensure that the utilities are installed to meet
the organization's specific needs and requirements, and to ensure that the utilities are compatible
with the facility's design.
● Building the perimeter: Once the utilities are installed, the perimeter of the datacenter can be built.
This includes installing walls, roofing, and other elements to enclose the facility.
● Installing security systems: After the perimeter is built, the necessary security systems can be
installed. This includes cameras, alarms, and other security devices to ensure the safety and security
of the facility.
● Building the roadway and parking lot: After the security systems are installed, the roadway and
parking lot can be built. This includes paving the parking lot and building the roadway to ensure that
the facility is accessible.
● Obtaining the necessary permits and approvals: Before the construction can begin, it's important to
obtain the necessary permits and approvals from local authorities.

It's important to consult with experts in the field to ensure that the site is prepared correctly, and that all
necessary utilities are installed and connected to the facility. It's also important to ensure that the site meets
all necessary safety and environmental regulations. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the natural hazards
and weather conditions that may affect the site and the datacenter and make necessary preparations
accordingly.

Equipment Installation
Equipment installation is an important step in building a datacenter, and it involves installing the necessary
servers, storage systems, and other hardware to support the facility. Here is an example of a process that
can be used to install equipment in a datacenter:
 ● Receiving and unpacking the equipment: The first step in equipment installation is to receive the
equipment and unpack it. This includes checking the equipment to ensure that it is in good condition
and that all necessary components are included.
● Rack installation: Once the equipment is unpacked, the racks that will hold the servers and other
equipment can be installed. This includes installing the rails, leveling the racks, and securing them to
the floor.
● Server installation: After the racks are installed, the servers can be installed. This includes mounting
the servers in the racks, connecting the necessary cables, and configuring the servers according to
the organization's specific needs and requirements.
● Storage system installation: After the servers are installed, the storage systems can be installed. This
includes mounting the storage systems in the racks, connecting the necessary cables, and
configuring the storage systems according to the organization's specific needs and requirements.
● Power and cooling installation: After the servers and storage systems are installed, the power and
cooling systems can be installed. This includes connecting the power and cooling systems to the
servers and storage systems, and configuring the systems according to the organization's specific
needs and requirements.
● Network installation: After the power and cooling systems are installed, the network can be installed.
This includes installing switches, routers, and other networking equipment, and configuring the
network according to the organization's specific needs and requirements.
● Testing and commissioning: Once the equipment is installed, it will need to be tested to ensure that
it is working properly. This step also includes the commissioning of the cooling and power distribution
systems, as well as the testing of the backup systems.

It's important to keep in mind that this is just an example of a process that can be used to install equipment in
a datacenter, and that actual process may vary depending on the organization's specific needs and
requirements. It's important to consult with experts in the field to ensure that the equipment is installed
correctly, and that all necessary components are connected and configured properly. It's also important to
ensure that the equipment is compatible with the facility's design and that it meets the organization's specific
needs and requirements. Additionally, it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines
while installing the equipment to avoid any damage or malfunction. Once the installation is done, it's
important to document all the equipment and its location, configuration, and serial numbers. This
documentation will help in the maintenance and troubleshooting of the equipment in the future.

Testing and Commissioning

Testing and commissioning is an important step in building a datacenter, and it involves testing the
equipment and systems to ensure that they are working properly before the datacenter becomes
operational. Here is an example of a process that can be used to test and commission a datacenter:

● Power-on testing: The first step in testing and commissioning is to power-on the equipment and
perform a basic functional test. This includes checking that the servers, storage systems, and other
hardware are powered on and running properly.
● Network testing: After the power-on testing, the network can be tested. This includes checking that
the switches, routers, and other networking equipment are configured properly and that the network
is connected and running properly.
 ● Cooling system testing: After the network testing, the cooling systems can be tested. This includes
checking that the air conditioning, cooling towers, and other cooling systems are working properly,
and that the temperature and humidity levels in the datacenter are within the specified range.
● Power distribution testing: After the cooling system testing, the power distribution systems can be
tested. This includes checking that the power distribution units (PDUs), uninterruptible power supply
(UPS) and generators are working properly, and that the power is being distributed correctly to the
servers and other equipment.
● Fire suppression testing: After the power distribution testing, the fire suppression systems can be
tested. This includes checking that the fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, are working
properly and that the alarms are sounding correctly in case of an emergency.
● Security system testing: After the fire suppression testing, the security systems can be tested. This
includes checking that the cameras, alarms, and other security devices are working properly and that
the access controls are configured correctly.
● Acceptance testing: Once all the testing is completed, an acceptance test can be performed. This
includes having an external party, such as a consultant or auditor, to verify that all the systems and
equipment are working correctly and that the datacenter meets the organization's specific needs and
requirements.
● Final documentation: After the acceptance testing, final documentation can be done. This includes
documenting the configuration and settings of all the systems and equipment, and creating an
operations manual for the datacenter. This documentation will be useful for future maintenance and
troubleshooting.
● Go-live: After all the testing and commissioning is completed, the datacenter can be put into
operation. This includes moving the data and applications to the new datacenter, and performing a
final check to ensure that everything is working as expected.

It's important to consult with experts in the field to ensure that the testing and commissioning is done
correctly, and that all necessary systems and equipment are tested and working properly before the
datacenter becomes operational. It's also crucial to have a plan in place for any issues that may arise during
or after the commissioning phase.

Operations and Maintenance

Operations and maintenance is an ongoing process that is essential for the proper functioning and longevity
of a datacenter. Here is an example of a process that can be used to operate and maintain a datacenter:

● Monitoring: The first step in operations and maintenance is to monitor the equipment and systems.
This includes monitoring the servers, storage systems, power and cooling systems, network, and
security systems to ensure that they are running properly.
● Maintenance: After monitoring, regular maintenance can be performed. This includes replacing worn
parts, cleaning and dusting the equipment, and checking for any potential issues. It also includes
keeping the software and firmware of the equipment up to date.
● Troubleshooting: If any issues are identified during monitoring or maintenance, troubleshooting can
be performed. This includes identifying the cause of the issue and implementing a solution to resolve
it.
 ● Backup and disaster recovery: To ensure the continuity of the service, it's important to have a
backup and disaster recovery plan in place. This includes taking regular backups of the data and
applications, and testing the disaster recovery plan to ensure that it works as expected.
● Capacity planning: Regularly reviewing the capacity of the datacenter is important to ensure that the
facility can handle the current and future demand. This includes assessing the current and future
needs for power, cooling, storage, and network.
● Compliance and audit: It's important to ensure that the datacenter is compliant with any relevant
regulations and standards. This includes performing regular audits and reviewing the security
measures to ensure that they meet the necessary standards and regulations.
● Training: Regular training for the operations and maintenance team is important to ensure that they
are up to date with the latest technologies and best practices. This includes training on the
equipment, systems, and procedures used in the datacenter.
● Review and improve: Continuously review and improve the operations and maintenance processes.
This includes gathering feedback from the team and using it to make necessary changes to the
processes, procedures and equipment.

It's also important to have a well-defined incident management plan and process in place to handle any
unexpected events or issues that may arise during the operation.

Security
Security is an important aspect of a datacenter, and it involves protecting the equipment and data stored in
the facility. Here is an example of a process that can be used to secure a datacenter:

● Physical security: The first step in securing a datacenter is to ensure physical security. This includes
installing security cameras, access control systems, and alarms to prevent unauthorized access to the
facility.
● Network security: After physical security is established, the network can be secured. This includes
implementing firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and VPNs to prevent
unauthorized access to the network.
● Data security: After network security is established, data security can be implemented. This includes
encrypting sensitive data, implementing access controls, and regularly backing up data to ensure that
it can be recovered in case of an emergency.
● Compliance: Compliance with relevant regulations and standards is important to ensure that the
datacenter is secure. This includes reviewing the security measures in place and ensuring that they
meet the necessary standards and regulations.
● Incident response plan: Having an incident response plan in place is important to handle any
security breaches or incidents. This includes identifying the cause of the incident, containing it, and
implementing a solution to prevent it from happening again.
● Regular security audits: Regularly reviewing and auditing the security measures in place is important
to identify any vulnerabilities and to ensure that the security measures are working as expected.
● Employee awareness: Raising employee awareness on security best practices is important to ensure
that they are aware of the risks and know how to handle them. This includes providing regular
security training and awareness programs.
Power Capacity to Build a Data Center
The minimum power capacity required to build a datacenter will depend on the size and design of the facility,
as well as the number and type of servers and other equipment that will be housed in the datacenter.

A small-scale datacenter, which might be used by a small business or a remote office of a larger organization,
could require as little as several kilowatts (kW) of power. A typical rack of servers, for example, might
consume around 10 kW to 15 kW, so a small datacenter with a few racks of servers would consume less than
100kW.

A medium-sized datacenter, which might be used by a mid-sized business or a regional office of a larger
organization, could require several hundred kilowatts (kW) to several megawatts (MW) of power.

A large-scale datacenter, which might be used by a large enterprise or a cloud provider, could require tens or
even hundreds of megawatts of power.

It's important to note that these figures are rough estimates, and the actual power consumption will depend
on many factors, including the specific equipment and systems used in the datacenter, as well as the type of
cooling and power distribution systems that are used.

It's also important to take into consideration the power consumption of the cooling systems and power
distribution systems, as well as the backup power systems like generators and uninterruptible power supply
(UPS).

Additionally, a modern datacenter design should be energy-efficient and cost-effective, therefore it's
important to consult with a professional to design and construct the datacenter accordingly.