Grass between the Racks

Green in data centers is an oft repeated clich. Its not that someone is
planting trees inside the power guzzlers, but the definitions of a green data
center are still very subjective. So what exactly is a green data center?

While we dont assume the authority to define the parameters, what we assume
to be the prime green characteristics of any data center are broadly these:
maximum energy efficiency and minimum energy consumption, use of least carbon
emitting technologies, and a below average power usage effectiveness (PUE).

Beneath these things are various sub categories ranging from rack space,
cooling equipment used, and even the architecture of the walls.

Catalysts green data in Gurgaon could be the benchmark for future

If we have to go by these heads and sub-heads, we are safe to say that by
these parameters, Catalysts data center is by far one of the greenest that we
have seen so far. And we are not the only ones saying it!

Reaching to the Skies

While this plan was still on paper, it seemed unattainable to everyone,
except the architects of the plan. So much so, that most of the vendors and
analysts unanimously voiced their opinion that making such a thing is simply not
possible. Today, Anupam Awasthi, CEO of Catalyst proudly says that most of his
vendors are bringing their clients to his data center for visits.

The reason for this initial cynicism were many. The design in itself is a
very complex structure, and then there were the various layers of implementation
that had to be done with pinpoint accuracy. To add to all that, there was the
ultimate goal to keep the opex really low, because the company is mostly
targeting SME clients.

And what seemed impossible was finally accomplished by the passion and
expertise of three highly innovative brainsSachin Gupta, Jay Kalra, and Amol
Awasthipeople with enormous data center experience in the US.

And well, the successful completion of this massive project has also opened
up business avenues for the company. They have broadened their portfolio to
include data center consultation as one of the services offered. As Anupam
Awasthi, CEO, Catalyst says, "This was something that we never envisioned
ourselves doing at all."

The question to be asked, for the people at Catalyst was, "Why not in India."
For more than eight years, Catalyst has been operating mostly in the Middle East
and African markets. As India became the global outsourcing and technology hub,
and its bandwidth and connectivity issues were on a downside, it became an
obvious next destination.

And this destination was zeroed on with a mission, low opex and thereby
best-of-breed data center services for SMBs.

Whats in a Room?

Quite a lot if the room is a data center. There is a huge amount of data and
sensitive information lying between those racks. As Sachin Gupta, director,
operations, Catalyst says, "Data center is a combination of a bank and an ICU."
Bank because of the security information, and ICU because of the criticality of
data involved.

If this bank and hospital are to be operated in a way that is as pally with
the environment as possible, a massive amount of work has to be put in. It is
often said that green is the way ahead for data centers. But achieving this
greenness is no mean task, more so in the Indian context.

The problems begin with the definition stage and carry on to the recognition
phase. As of now, there is only one data center in India that is rated tier-4+,
the highest rating for data centers. There are four or five data centers with
tier-3++ rating, and Catalyst is the first one in North India.

Why they couldnt obtain the highest rating can be attributed to two factors.
First, they are located in the seismic zone, and secondly they could not manage
a second physical power source due to the lack of an alternate grid.

The basic criterion for getting a 3++ rating is that there should be no
single point of failure in architecture (connectivity, system, power, cooling),
disaster recovery and business process continuity tools and compliance with
various standards like ISO, SOX, etc.

However, this certification is on the architecture and operations front.
Sadly, there is no such recognition for a green data center. The reason, say
experts and rating authorities like GRIHA is that you have to have some sort of
a baseline on which to judge. And for data centers defining that is a challenge
in itself.

However, the owners and the builders of green data centers are craving for
some sort of green recognition. The reasons are clear. Green is not only great
business sense, it is also increasingly striking a chord with customers who are
preferring green services over others. In that regard, certifications will
surely have some purpose to serve.

Cool it Off!

Any data center needs enormous amounts of power for cooling the racks. And
this not only adds to substantial power bills but is a considerable load on the
carbon footprint as well. And the leading data center people are busy
experimenting with non-electrical sources for cooling purposes.

And Catalysts architects have also tried their hands at the trick. Instead
of air conditioners, they are using chilled water to cool their data center.
They have deployed APCs indoor cooling technology for this purpose. Also, their
cooling has the in row functionality. Basically, that means that only the
servers that are actively being used shall be cooled. Besides, they can also
control the rotations per minute for their fans. For instance, if a rack is only
25-30% in use, the rotations can slow down from 1,500 to 500.

And their racks also have been designed in a way that they have maximum space
and use minimum power consumption. In any conventional data center, the rack
density is around 6.5, or a maximum of 7. In this one, it can go unto 18.

The other details that they have been given a lot of attention to is the
contact of the data center with the outside world. The data center has been made
literally like a sealed box. Its coated with epoxy paint that prevents any
moisture or water from seeping in, then there are nitrate sheets for isolation,
glass wool for temperature. And all this on 9 inch think walls.

Definitely, this costs more money. The capex is close to $1.5 mn
(approximately Rs 7 crore) but the company expects the RoI to come anywhere
between fifteen to twenty-four months.

While the RoI is certain to come sooner than later, what Catalyst indeed is
hoping for is some sort of governing body that can provide a green
certification.

And they are totally craving for a desi certification. And well, they are all
nationalists at heart. As they say, "We have sparked off reverse economics by
bringing the brains back to India and by saving it in forex." So there is a
streak of saffron involved as well (together with the green one). And well,
these two together are indeed the colors of nationalism!

Mehak Chawla

mehakc@cybermedia.co.in