Data centers are the backbone of IT ecosystems, providing the infrastructure needed to support databases, applications, and storage solutions. With artificial intelligence and machine learning requiring dramatic increases in database connectivity and reliability, you may be experiencing one or more of these data center pain points. Review seven of the most common data center connectivity pain points today and see how Equal Optics can help you overcome these obstacles.
1. Reliability Issues
One of the most conspicuous issues for data centers is reliability. Technical failures, inconsistent network speeds, and other factors can affect the measurable performance of your data center. Many reliability issues related to data center connectivity can stem from configurations that aren’t mapped out or documented. Whether through human error or equipment issues, reliability can dramatically affect data center performance and stall enterprise workflows.
For many organizations, the best data center connectivity solutions are to invest in additional employee training, particularly in the configuration process. Spending additional time and resources ensuring processes are efficiently automated and correctly documented can relieve the stress of relying on employees to maintain ongoing reliability.
2. Agility Problems
Is your data center responsive to industry changes and software updates? The rapid speed of technological innovation and adaptation requires an agile data center. Unfortunately, this can be a time-consuming investment for IT teams who may be far behind the curve. Maintaining modern configurations and updates requires nimbleness and the ability to respond quickly to changes in the industry.
Improve your data center connectivity with agile solutions to these issues. With Equal Optics, you can explore networking solutions that can update your products, streamline your system, and improve the overall agility of your process. Creating an agile process requires both innovative strategies and quality products, but Equal Optics can assist you in finding the most cost-effective way to remain agile in a fast-paced environment.
3. Infrastructure Limitations
Working with a single vendor for data center connectivity solutions may be holding your data center back. While a single-vendor strategy may appear to be a convenient way to ensure compatibility and efficiency, it limits your options. Compare multiple vendors that offer products and solutions for data centers to enjoy the following benefits:
- Increased options for hardware
- Flexibility in support channels
- Customized solutions for your network
- Greater freedom of choice
Work with a service provider who can help you shop for products from various vendors that promote data center connectivity. Finding the best cables, transceivers, and other products for your organization can expand your otherwise limited options and help you overcome this pain point.
4. Data Compliance Changes
One major benefit of data center connectivity is the ability to source data from many different sources. This allows your organization to make data-driven decisions and leverage the power of big data when improving your products, services, or business structure. However, changing data compliance policies can make this feel more like a liability than an advantage.
Maintaining data compliance amidst the many industry changes is a major pain point for data centers. Consider solutions to automate activities related to operational compliance to reduce the workload and risk of error when reviewing compliance requirements. Connect with a network solutions team to explore your options for remaining compliant with all the required regulations in your industry.
5. Heat Management Complications
It isn’t just your imagination; the amount of heat generated by IT equipment continues to increase due to the increased density and power of these systems. The heat generated by IT equipment can quickly become an issue if your data center isn’t properly cooled. Inefficient cooling solutions can compromise your equipment due to overheating. A temperature reading alone, however, can’t identify every legacy cooling system that should be replaced.
Efficient cooling systems should not only ensure proper temperatures for your IT equipment but should do so in an energy-efficient way. In a survey of data centers and their cooling system abilities, only 46% met cooling requirements. Over half of the respondents felt their cooling abilities were inadequate for energy-efficient cooling of key data center systems.
Look for heat management solutions that balance the need for energy efficiency, effective temperature reduction, and proper airflow. This involves not only finding the right equipment but also ensuring the optimal layout in your data center.
6. Connectivity Issues Outside Your Core Business Applications
What are your core business capabilities? In some IT departments, these won’t include managing every aspect of a data center. Investing in the latest IT solutions and carefully optimizing a network can be data center pain points for an organization where these tasks are outside of their core business applications.
Instead of attempting to become an overnight data center expert or spending far too many resources to manage every aspect with your in-house team, consider working with an IT networking solutions provider. An external team can provide the assessment, recommendations, and setup processes you need to avoid connectivity issues.
7. Environmental Concerns
Significant amounts of electricity and thermal management systems are required for modern data center connectivity solutions. The result is often significant energy usage to power a data center. Any improvements in the capabilities of your data center may continue to increase its electrical demands. Your organization needs to consider the environmental concerns for this energy usage.
Thankfully, there are many ways to address this issue. It’s important to recognize that data centers, while they can use a considerable amount of energy, are more efficient than other networking solutions thanks to their compact space and overall efficiency. Continuing to find ways to improve the efficiency of your data center can also make the most of the energy used to provide essential services.
Overcome Data Center Connectivity Pain Points With Equal Optics
Optimizing your data center involves many pain points, so use this guide to promote data center connectivity solutions that overcome those points. With Equal Optics, you can source equipment and find custom solutions to update your data center and power your organization’s connectivity. Contact us today to learn more about our dynamic options to help you find affordable, effective products.
Sources:
https://www.techopedia.com/top-10-it-pain-points-and-how-to-solve-them/2/34516
https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatacenter/tip/Data-center-cooling-challenges-and-how-to-solve-them