IT Services

The New Data Centre

Our new data centre in Shawcross is designed to replace the facility in Chichester I (in use since 1991) as the primary server room on the campus.

The new complex incorporates 2 tonnes of cabling, over 2000 network connections, a high volume connection to JANET and an uninterruptible power supply and is capable of running independently on its own generator power.

Featuring energy-efficient technologies such as water-cooling, the design will help the University to achieve environmental targets whilst providing security, availability and connectivity for computer equipment as well as additional provision for the future expansion of email, file storage and web servers. It also provides a new high-performance research environment for the processing and storage of large volumes of data.

Construction of the data centre, which required major internal amendments within the listed building, was completed to budget and on schedule in December 2010.

During the development, floor levels were altered, a section of land adjacent to Shawcross was cleared and levelled to make way for cooling units and supply tanks and a six-tonne generator manoeuvred into position.

Server room

Providing secure and protected rack-space for hundreds of servers and high-speed network connections, the server room is the heart of the new facility.

Battery array

The first phase of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) consists of a powerful set of electric batteries, designed to support a fully loaded server room while the generator is starting up.

On-site generator

With automatic ignition triggered by the loss of mains power, the on-site generator takes over from the battery back-up within minutes and is capable of running for up to two days on a single fuel load.

Greener and more efficient: Water cooling

Server racks are cooled with integral water channels. This is more effective than air-cooling and enables the room to be operated at a warmer temperature, with less need for conventional air-conditioning. This has helped us to achieve an excellent environmental profile for the new data centre (Target PUE 1.2-1.3).

Enhanced fire prevention

Particle detection

Sensors sited throughout the server room detect particle densities indicative of a fire.

Gas suppression

The automatic suppression facility will flood the room with flame-retardant gas if thresholds are exceeded in multiple adjacent sectors.