Geo-Location
Selecting a Geographic Location¶
What is it?¶
The physical site where the data center is built.
Theoretical Definition¶
Strategic placement of DCs based on latency, utilities, and disaster risk.
Why is it Important?¶
- Impacts latency, cost, and availability.
- Wrong location = constant outages or high costs.
How is it Planned?¶
- Proximity to users.
- Safe zone (no floods/earthquakes).
- Nearby utilities + political stability.
Impact Down the Line¶
Wrong choice = business disruption, higher OPEX.
Real World Example¶
Facebook chose Sweden for cold climate → reduced cooling costs drastically.
Safe from Natural Hazards & Manmade Disasters¶
What is it?¶
Ensuring DC is resilient against natural and human risks.
Theoretical Definition¶
Designing with disaster-avoidance and mitigation in mind (earthquake, flood, fire, sabotage).
Why is it Important?¶
- Protects business continuity.
- Avoids catastrophic downtime.
How is it Planned?¶
- Choose safe locations.
- Fire suppression (FM200 gas).
- Earthquake-resistant design.
Impact Down the Line¶
Ignoring this = catastrophic outages, massive losses.
Real World Example¶
Hurricane Sandy (2012) flooded several NYC DCs, halting trading and services.
Availability of Local Technical Talent¶
What is it?¶
Skilled workforce near the DC site.
Theoretical Definition¶
Access to trained IT, HVAC, and electrical staff for smooth operation.
Why is it Important?¶
- Skilled staff reduce downtime.
- Easier hiring = lower costs.
How is it Planned?¶
- Build near metro hubs/university towns.
- Offer competitive salaries.
Impact Down the Line¶
No skilled staff = long downtime, slow fixes.
Real World Example¶
Northern Virginia is a DC hub partly due to a rich pool of skilled engineers.
Abundant & Inexpensive Utilities¶
What is it?¶
Access to reliable and cost-effective electricity and water.
Theoretical Definition¶
Utility availability ensures continuous power and cooling resources.
Why is it Important?¶
- Energy = biggest OPEX factor.
- Water = needed for cooling.
How is it Planned?¶
- Partner with utility providers.
- Use renewable energy for cost savings.
Impact Down the Line¶
Utility shortages = downtime. Expensive power = unsustainable OPEX.
Real World Example¶
Google DCs run partially on renewable energy contracts to reduce dependency and costs.
Selecting an Existing Building¶
What is it?¶
Reusing a current structure for data center use.
Theoretical Definition¶
Retrofit of commercial/industrial buildings into DC facilities.
Why is it Important?¶
- Can save CAPEX.
- But may limit scalability.
How is it Planned?¶
- Assess structural capacity, cooling, and power.
- Renovate accordingly.
Impact Down the Line¶
Mismatched retrofits = costly operational issues.
Real World Example¶
Many banks retrofit old office spaces into secure private DCs.