Enterprise Data Center Design and Methodology

In general, the next generation of hardware will take up less room for the same and larger computational and storage capacities . Therefore, more capacity can be put into an existing space. However, since computing needs rise faster than computing power, don't expect the space needs of the data center to shrink.

Most data centers have been able to continue within the same area without having to take up more real estate. However, power and cooling requirements increase. Even if you have the physical space to expand, you might not be able to accommodate the additional power or cooling requirements of expansion. Also, sometimes a direct addition to an operational data center is an even a tougher design and construction challenge than building a new facility. What is more likely is that a future expansion would be treated as a separate space from the existing data center, and you can use the networking infrastructure of the existing data center to "link up" the expansion data center with the existing one.

Using RLUs to determine data center capacities is the best method for planning for future expansion. RLUs will give you the tools to define your space, structural needs, in-feeds (including power and cooling), etc. and therefore give you a clear picture of remaining capacities. For more information on defining RLUs, see Chapter 4, "Determining Data Center Capacities."