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Interview With John Dilkes Of Harrod's Data Centre
Nicola Hayes, vice president of BroadGroup interviewed
John Dilkes, Network Infrastructure & Security Manager of Harrods
Ltd after the opening of their new data centre.
1. As Harrods required further data centre space you took the
decision to build on the roof of the shop itself, can you explain to
our readers how this designs was made and whether you still feel this
was the best option.
Essentially the problem was that with the age and construction of the
Harrods store any area chosen had some degree of compromise due to structural
and services limitation. For instance ceiling height meant that shorter
racks were always needed and trying to create a space with sufficient
air flow for a modern data centre was nearly impossible. Additionally
its probably worth noting selling space being a premium effectively
creating ‘new space’ became an attractive solution.
2. Are there any problems you have encountered that have arisen
as a result of the placement of the data centre on the rooftop?
No utilising the idea to have a factory built solution meant dropping
it onto the roof meant that the solution could be delivered mush faster
with less disruption to the business and being factory built meant that
less of the building trades needed to work onsite so the building was
built to a much greater set of tolerances.
3. On365 (formerly universal power systems) were commissioned
for the data centre build, how did you arrive at your decision to use
this company? Was cost an issue or did other factors come into play?
Cost of course is always and issue but it was felt that On365 was a
much better ‘fit’ with Harrods. They wanted to work with
us in developing the right solution not just push whatever the new product
was. It really felt like working in partnership.
4. How is the data centre configured?
The actual building is based on the Linx range of buildings and is
formed by 6 Linx modules giving an over all floor space of 108.5 m2.
This floor space is divided into Plant Room / Server Room / Operator
Bridge space.
AC Units - 4 Airedale Ac units in N+1 configuration. Expansion for
additional units built in to room design
Electrical Supplies - 2 Separate 630A 400VAC 3ph 50 hz supported by
remote generator plant
UPS 2N+1 modular UPS design
Fire suppression - Inergen system
Access Control - Linked to Harrods swipe card access control system.
Building management - APC ISX manager and Harrods BMS control
Overall design philosophy
Compliant to BS7671:2001
High Availability
Safe Operation and Safe Online management
Scalable
Active IT and Facility management
Minimise human error
5. Do you envisage needed further space in the future and if
so will you expand on the roof or will you look at other options?
The room was designed with expansion in mind, the wall that separated
the rack space from the operations area is dismountable and has alternate
positions to allow growth. Also the AC units on the outside can be added
at anytime with very little disruption inside the room by simply removing
the blanking panels and adding the vents. Finally as the room itself
is modular is required the manufacture can supply new pods to add to
the solution.
6. Did you consider outsourcing to a commercial data centre
at any time? Why did you decide to build your own?
Yes, at the time the economics just stacked up in preference of keeping
the services on site. This was especially prevalent with predominantly
the EPoS system being utilised with the tills in the store the benefit
of any issues being under the same roof and the immediacy of access
to the servers outweighed other considerations.
7. You have the first truly green data centre that I have encountered
(well Harrods Green anyway!) did you consider using any ‘environmentally
friendly ‘technologies during the build? Would you do so in the
future?(ie reusing the heat from the DC navk into the Harrods store?
Very much so, its one of the key drivers with the choice of location
the room outside. With the AC units directly exposed to the air outside
the room runs on very environmentally friendly free cooling. This greatly
reduces both the cost and the environmental impact of cooling the room.
The whole building itself also should be noted is fully recyclable at
the end of its life.
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