Your data centre is the heart of your company's systems and network. Technically it should be handled with kid gloves, but it's easy to slip up and make a really stupid mistake. Unfortunately, it's these mistakes that see you left with egg on your face, missing that next promotion and worst case scenario leaving work with the contents of your desk in a box, never to return.
So how can you avoid making those dreaded data centre faux pas? By knowing what the most common ones are, and then doing your best to avoid them. We've put together a list of the top mistakes to avoid making in your data centre.
Don't Make These Common Data Centre Slip-Ups
1. Shoddy Security
Don't go allowing all and sundry access to your data centre, or worse, leave it unlocked all together. It's home to expensive equipment and data, which you're placing at risk of theft. Be safe and put sound security measures in place. Keep a spreadsheet with the names of all keyholders or people with access to the security codes.
2. Documents? Nope, Don't Need Them.
Wrong. If you're the only one who knows how the network was mapped out, or what server does what, you're living on borrowed time. Sooner or later, someone will need information regarding your data centre, and you'll be indisposed. Maybe you'll be on leave, or ill. Either way, failing to leave adequate documentation is asking for trouble. Be smart, and ensure documents are on hand for situations when you're not around.
3. Leaving It Looking Like a Hurricane Just Hit
Your data centre shouldn't look like a teenager's bedroom. Imagine your boss making a surprise inspection of the data centre he signed off on, and discovering it looks like a whirlwind passed through it. Keep it neat and tidy, and respect the space. If utter chaos is reigning in your data centre at the moment, perhaps it’s time to call in a network cabling professional to help you sort it out.
4. Never Stopping By for a Check-up
When was the last time you went down to the data centre to see how things are going? Accessing it remotely just isn't the same as taking the time to go and check that everything is running smoothly. Take the time to pop by and check the cabling, batteries or temperature. A quick inspection is worth the effort to avoid potential disaster down the line.
5. Offering Guided Tours
Sure, your data centre is impressive, and you want to show it off. So you take the occasional visitor down to marvel in its glory and magnificence. But it just takes a single curious visitor to cause a downed network and utter chaos. Bragging rights just aren't worth the trouble you may incur in letting the public in to gape. Just don't do it.
6. Burning the Midnight Oil
Whether it's a downed network or a server rebuild, it's not unusual to pull an after-hours, caffeine-fueled night working in the data centre. What is unusual is assuming that after spending a long day at work, pulling a ten hour shift, you're able to do your best work. Your data centre deserves your attention and alertness, and you're not likely to do it any favours by trying to resolve issues while sleep deprived. You'll probably cause greater harm if you're feeling like a zombie.
7. Not Planning for Power Outages
Electricity is the life blood of your data centre. It's important to design your electrical needs to provide security from failures. Make sure your circuit breakers have covers, and that your fire alarms and cutoff switches are located securely to prevent pranksters from being tempted. Don't leave your data centre at a distinct disadvantage.
8. Drinking on the Job
If you're in the data centre, any form of liquid is a no-no. Don't set foot over the threshold with any form of beverage (or anything edible for that matter). Have a clearly defined sign warning staff from entering with beverages or food, and have a zero tolerance policy. All it takes is one clumsy mistake and equipment can be irreparably damaged.
9. Cabling Catastrophes
If a professional network cabling company cabled your data centre, your cables should be expertly laid out. If it wasn’t, and cables of all lengths are festooned about the place thanks to improper cutting and measuring, you're looking for a lawsuit or data loss. Someone could trip and fall, or accidently yank out cables. Keep your cabling neat and zip-tied.
10. Using a Machine as a Desktop
Don't be tempted to use a machine from your data centre as a desktop, or allow other IT staff to do so. It's asking for a virus to infect your data centre and cause havoc. You've got enough work protecting your network from end users and their viruses, don't create an opportunity for one to originate in the centre of your network.
With any luck, if you avoid these errors, you're in good stead to keep your data centre secure and operating successfully. Think we left out any mistakes? Let us know!
