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The Virtual Data Center

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When considering Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), for a data center application, UPS VA is generally used to appraise UPS Size. New computers however, designed to comply with recent green oriented server standards, feature input power factor correction which requires considering UPS Watt capacity when sizing a UPS.

Two figures Volt – Ampere (VA) and Watt (W) define Uninterruptible Power Supply capacity. Both should be above corresponding load requirements.

VA represents the Total (sometimes called apparent) Power, derived simply by multiplying Main's Voltage by consumer's Current (Amperes).

Watt figure represents the True power, required by the computer power supplies, derived by multiplying Main's Voltage by the value of Main's frequency Current component. The ratio of Watt to VA is defined as Power factor (PF).

Normally, Computer Power Supply's input current has a pulse shaped waveform. This current comprises basic mains frequency sinusoidal component of about 0.7 (70 %) of total current and also parasitic higher harmonics, which increase input current but do not contribute to the power which the Computer Power Supply can deliver.

Thus, a 120V server drawing, for instance, 2.5A from the mains, has input power rating of 300 VA (120V x 2.5 A) and 210W (300VA x 0.7), and requires at least 300VA/ 210W UPS.

Recent movement towards a green world affects also legislation of server power supplies, demanding to increase server's efficiency and decrease pollution of grid by elimination of unwanted current harmonics. New computer power supplies, which implement power factor correction to achieve sinusoidal input current with almost unity power factor, are the common trend.

Latest regulations, such as Energy Star, require server input power factor figure to be above 0.95 at full load. Thus, a new 120V server drawing 2.5A from mains may require 300VA and 285Watt (300VA x 0.95 PF).

The right UPS rating, to drive such server, should therefore be at least 300VA/ 285Watt. Most 300VA UPS systems are designed to supply maximum 210 Watt loads, and will not be able to feed a load that requires 285 Watt.Before buying a new UPS its Wattage capacity should be verified, to ascertain that it meets not only the VA but also the Watt requirements.

If the UPS feeds more than a single server, both total UPS Volt Ampere and Watt ratings should be above the respective VA and Watt sums of the individual servers.

Connecting to a UPS consumers that require real power Wattage, above the rating which the UPS supports, might damage UPS's Inverter semiconductors due to overheating, cause complete battery destruction, and expose the UPS and the critical load to various, severe phenomena harming the UPS as well as the load which it aims to protect

Mind the Watts, when Sizing a UPS

Load Volt Ampere and Watt figures are needed for sizing a proper power backup. VA rating is easily calculated by multiplying Mains (Line) voltage by total consumer's current, generally presented on each consumer's label.

Wattage rating is not always displayed on consumer labels or associated documents. In such case, it should be measured by a Watt meter, or obtained from the consumer's supplier.

An alternative approach is to assume that the load has a unity power factor and to look for a UPS that has a wattage rating, which is equal to the calculated VA rating. This attitude, although more expensive, might be the best approach, as it covers also the possibility of future server replacement, which will probably have unity PF rating.

Both UPS's VA and Watt ratings should exceed the respective load ratings with a reasonable safety margin. Unfortunately we may confront new hurdle when looking for a proper UPS. Frequently, only UPS's VA figures are provided by sellers or on manufacturer's sales information. The Specific UPS technical specifications should be consulted to get the relevant Wattage rating which the UPS supports.

To help solving the problem, UPSonNet displays on its website, www.upsonnet.com, a directory of Rack Mounted UPS systems, which enables to see at glance available systems from main manufacturers, including VA and Watt ratings. In addition, technical information, links to system suppliers,and relevant average system prices are also presented.

The Virtual Data Center

As the hub of the information technology department, data centers are an integral part of daily functioning for most companies. Preserving your data keeps your company running, and any downtime of the data center results in lost money and time. What challenges to companies face when it comes to data centers? How can some of these challenges be mitigated?

Brief History of the Data Center

Data centers now occupy the space that once belonged to the super computers of the early computer era. In the early days of computing, dedicated rooms were required to keep the huge machines cool, safe, and free of dust and other contaminants. These dedicated rooms later became home to data centers.

In the 1990s, the complex systems employed by information technology departments were gathered together in these dedicated rooms. Client-server networking became standard for information technology departments, and the dedicated room was perfect for the hierarchical design of the data center.

Eventually, data centers outgrew these dedicated rooms. As the Internet age came into being, companies learned that having an Internet presence was an integral part of doing business. These new requirements of Internet data centers brought with them a host of challenges for many companies.

The Challenge of Physical Space

While the early data centers could fit in a single dedicated room, the advent of the Internet data center made it much harder to find space for all the necessary servers, cables, and other important equipment. Finding the space for all this equipment became a challenge for many companies.

Private data centers were created to solve this problem. Rather than find dedicated space for a large Internet data center on site, a company could outsource their data center needs and use the space for other activities.

The Expense of Operating a Data Center

Even for companies that can find the physical space to house a large Internet data center, the cost of operating a large data center can be prohibitive. Outfitting a large data center with the necessary technology is no small undertaking. Good servers are expensive, as is the rest of the necessary equipment.

In addition, staffing a data center isn't affordable for many companies. Internet data centers must be running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that companies must pay their information technology employees to be on site and available during all times of the day. Staffing a data center during off hours can be very expensive.

Again, this is where private data centers have provided a solution. Rather than buying the equipment and hiring the staff for their own data centers, companies can use the services of a private data center instead. This has helped many companies significantly reduce the amount of money they spend on their data centers.

The Problem of Security and Reliability

Besides the challenges of physical space, equipment expense, and staffing, operating a data center also comes with a multitude of security and reliability challenges. A company is only as reliable as its data center, and if the data center goes down for any reason, a company usually has to suspend operations.

Reliability and security depend on having properly trained staff and good security practices in place. In addition, a good disaster recovery plan is necessary in make it easier for a company to come back from a major event.

Private data centers help many companies with this challenge by taking on the responsibility of storing the data securely. Finding a private data center can drastically reduce the stress associated with providing secure data storage and can make recovering from a disaster as quick and easy as possible.

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About Author

Both Meir Portnoy & Amy Nut are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Meir Portnoy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet. Meir Portnoy is VP of UPSonNet – a leading Information Source, about Power Protection and Power UPS field. Website includes UPS Theory, Selection guides, News, Industry Prices, and. Meir Portnoy's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.

Amy Nut has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, Interview Questions and Careers and Job Hunting. Leading provider of solutions with offices strategically located in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Quebec City. Visit us to learn more:. Amy Nut's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.

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