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Plan for the decommissioning of data centers

Author: Skyla Janice
by Skyla Janice
Posted: Feb 03, 2022

Why Create a Project Plan?

Decommissioning is the process of removing something from service. A decommissioning process must be followed in order to assist with the shutdown process for advanced systems. In order to maintain data centers, a wide range of equipment and support systems are necessary.

In most cases, decommissioning a data center without a plan is impossible. Having a properly drafted plan ensures a smooth transition of the system. Decommissioning projects are customized to meet the needs of each system. It is not necessary to involve the same personnel, participants, or vendors in every process.

Decommissioning servers requires a significant amount of effort:

In many organizations, retiring old servers and replacing them with new ones is a common practice. Every organization follows its own procedure. These are some of the basic steps:

  • Migration Plan - The data from the replaced servers must be migrated to the target system, including notification of all stakeholders.
  • Implement migration activities - You will actually transfer the data. These activities have to be performed according to the Migration Plan. Sometimes certificates of migration must be issued.
  • A decommissioning plan ensures that data and application logic are preserved during the decommissioning of a legacy system. The plan determines whether the hardware should be recycled or disposed of.
  • Implement Decommissioning - The Decommissioning Plan must be approved before decommissioning begins. Each step is carried out as outlined in the plan.
  • Reviews completion timelines for each step of the post decommissioning process. Detailed notes from the Lessons Learned section of the review.

For each of the above steps, a checklist or template is provided. The milestones of each of these steps can be tracked using a master project plan.

Shutdown of the data center:

The shut down of a data center is a complex process involving several systems and multiple pieces of equipment. The proper regulations must be followed on the state, local and federal levels. There are different guidelines for each system and a specific skill set to successfully implement it. It is unclear whether the technical staff processes certifications in order to perform some tasks.

Decommissioning and shutting down a building becomes more complex when emergency power and cooling systems are added to the equation. How much supporting equipment is needed for a particular data center will depend on its size. The design of the facility is incorporated into the project plan.

Tracking sheets, templates, and hard copy documents such as certificates could be included in the Project Plan. A typical step might be:

  • Creating a list of all the equipment - Servers, internal cooling units, external chillers, and emergency power systems.
  • Establishing a migration plan and migrating to the target - Establish a migration plan for the server and migrate information to the target.
  • A plan should be created for removing an emergency generator and any auxiliary equipment. A list of equipment should be consulted.
  • System Removal - Plan the removal of the internal air conditioning units, external chillers, and the associated systems (ductwork, cables, piping and control panels). This list can be used as a guide.
  • The equipment list can be used as a guide to make a removal plan for servers.
  • Tasks from each plan must be completed within the specified time frame for decommissioning.
  • Information on tasks completed for each system in the post-decommissioning review. The lessons learned are used to improve the production processes.

In this plan, a basic overview of a project plan is given for shutting down a data center facility. A status sheet or tracking sheet is required for each sub-step.

Assist with the removal and recovery of equipment:

All data center equipment will be removed, sold, and disposed of during the decommissioning process. Expensive equipment may be sold. Cables and ductwork are frequently recycled.

Recycling can also take the form of repurposing. It is much more profitable to sell a complete data center system than to recycle parts. You will have to pay additional fees if you have to dispose of some expendables.

One-stop decommissioning for data centers is offered by Generator Source. Our certified partners enable us to offer comprehensive decommissioning services throughout the United States. This facility has equipment that can be repurposed, so we can purchase it all.

Service is available for generators only during an emergency. Back-up power equipment and generator are removed and replaced. Client is presented with all decommissioning paperwork.

All data center equipment can be removed, or only power generation systems can be purchased. Contact us if you have questions about complete decommissioning and purchase options for data centers and backup power systems.

A little bit about us:

Data centers have been a part of our business for many years. In order to assist our clients with their understanding of the decommissioning process, we explain our documentation and plans.

In addition to decommissioning data centers, offices, audio-video, medical equipment, testing equipment, and any other parts of the infrastructure, BayTech Recovery provides cost-effective decommissioning solutions to its global clientele. We understand the importance of integrating new technologies into your day-to-day operations every few years, and sometimes even months, as new technologies make their way into the market.

At our company, we specialize in decommissioning server systems as a whole, and data center decommissioning in particular. As a company, we are also among the leading ones when it comes to reconditioning and reselling computer appliances. Additionally, we provide IT asset disposal services to companies, enterprises, and organizations in and around the Bay Area.

About the Author

BayTech Recovery offers comprehensive and innovative IT solutions. In addition to providing custom services, BayTech Recovery builds long-term relationships with the clients it works with.

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Author: Skyla Janice

Skyla Janice

Member since: Dec 10, 2021
Published articles: 20

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