Our Tier Standard has been used in the design, construction and operations of thousands of sites in more than 100 countries. With this in mind, the Uptime Institute has created 4 industry standard tier ratings (Tier 2.5 or 3.5 are not real ratings) to rate the general efficiency and quality of colocation services: 1. Netrality Data Centers owns and operates strategic interconnected data centers and Meet Me Rooms, providing a mix of colocation, powered shell and wholesale data center solutions driven by fiber-dense, network-rich interconnection environments. It is now more critical than ever for customers to have transparency into the sustainability and reliability of their data center service providers. There are different Tiers according to the system availability needed. To be helpful and relevant, our industry standards must be expanded as well.”. Featured News. Known as the Data Center Standards Foundation, or “DCSF”, the foundation and its new version of data center “Class” standards, provides much needed transparency into the reliability of data center offerings to help the industry self-regulate and safeguard the data of all humans relying upon the digital framework that supports our modern world. TierPoint operates data center facilities in excess of 20 markets and 5,000 clients, consistently increasing their footprint through acquisitions and rapid growth. Although not critical to its market position, Switch pursued industry certifications to provide clarity to those less familiar with data center technology. All of the IT equipment must have a fault-tolerant power design to be compatible. Industry experts and users alike understand that major threats to data center uptime include water damage, reliance on too few telecommunication carriers, being located in a high-risk geo zone, and inadequate physical and network security. highly flammable, explosive, HAZMAT, or nuclear risks), Independently repairable/replaceable dual roof system, All cooling water outside the building shell (i.e. These awards represent the 3rd party validation of data center designs, constructed facilities, operational plans and overall efficiency. Uptime Institute has issued 1789 awards in 105 countries for our Tier Standard, M&O Stamp of Approval and Efficient IT programs. Uptime Institute does not design, build or operate data centers. Browse the list below to find these awards by country/region or by company. The first step is the Tier Certification of Design Documents. Copyright © 2020 Switch. The components of Tier III are added to Tier II components so that any part can be shut down without impacting IT operation. This Data Center Site Infrastructure Tier Standard: Topology is a restatement of the content previously published as Uptime Institute publication Tier Classifications Define Site Infrastructure Performance. The Tiers are progressive, so each Tier incorporates the requirements of the lower Tiers. These awards represent the 3rd party validation of data center designs, constructed facilities, operational plans and overall efficiency. Multiple stations at three separate, fully functional, locations control and monitor facility for standby generation power, Multiple stations within the electrical backbone for switchgear control and monitoring at three separate locations, each station being fully functional, Fault tolerant station standby power path and switchgear, Fault tolerant standby power path and switchgear, Fault tolerant power paths from power sources to UPS input and mechanical loads, Fault tolerant power sources for ancillary building systems, Tie circuit breaker separation ensures maintaining one does not expose personnel to energized parts on the other, Capacity at ASHRAE N=20 dry bulb, maximum wet bulb and altitude, Capacity at ASHRAE N=20 dry bulb,  maximum wet bulb and altitude, Standby power has a continuous or unlimited runtime rating, UPS has sufficient stored energy capacity to sustain continuous availability until alternative energy source supports site operations, Distribution circuit breaker separation prevents personnel exposure to energized parts during maintenance, 10 on-net carriers available to all customers, 6 facility entry vaults from at least two pathways, D/DoS mitigation services made available to customers, Access to critical asset systems and networks such as HVAC/Power/Network/Security are securable, Monitored, motion activated, video surveillance of service spaces and entrances at 15 images per second and retained for at least 90 days, Each compartmentalized cage/room on the data center floor is independently securable, The facility within the premises has photo ID badged entry access control which records access times/dates/user for 180 days, The facility exterior walls are windowless and made of concrete or a similarly non-flammable, non-penetrable walls, Exterior doors are reinforced (e.g. A Tier IV data center has several independent and physically isolated systems that act as redundant capacity components and distribution paths. Uptime: Tier Certification is a third-party, independent assessment to the Uptime Institute's Tier Classification System, performed by its Professional Services consultants. Since then, these certifications have gained worldwide recognition and provide a mark of excellence unique to high-performing businesses. Castor continued: “A tidal wave of technological change has been cresting. Many solutions lead to engineering innovation and uniqueness across data centers. A Look at Data Center Cooling Technologies. Uptime Institute is the Standard bearer for Digital Infrastructure performance. The course is administered by Uptime Institute Faculty with field experience in the practical application of the Tiers. Our Tier Certification process is an unbiased assessment that ensures all parties involved meet the given requirements and expectations. Unlike Tier I and Tier II, these facilities require no shutdowns when equipment needs maintenance or replacement. All Rights Reserved. These mission critical elements are not being evaluated in other data center rating systems. Uptime Institute Tiers is U.S.-centric. The Uptime Institute uses a somewhat mysterious four-tier ranking system as a benchmark for determining the reliability of a data center. Hundreds of companies have gone through our Tier Certification program, recognizing that our classifications are meaningful to data center facility management. Operational sustainability is the second essential component of our data Tier classification. There are different Tiers according to the system availability needed. We will examine the infrastructure of your data center for our evaluation to consider your individual needs. Myth: Site Location Uptime: Although a critical consideration for the lifecycle operation of the facility, geographical location does not affect Tier. Switch’s plan is to utilize the Tier 5 standard as the initial step to create the new and open, Data Center Standards Foundation (DCSF). Switch then underwent a rigorous analysis of its operational teams and was awarded “Tier IV Gold” certifications for Operational Excellence by the Uptime Institute. We are the only licensed firm that can provide these certifications, making us the sole source for this valuable ranking. We developed our Tier Certifications over 25 years ago as a way to measure how well a data center can meet the needs of an organization. Since that time, Switch became concerned that other data center standards fail to provide sufficient transparency or accountability. Switch’s Tier 5 standard focuses on improving the transparency and accountability of such an important and mission critical part of all of our daily lives, the infrastructure that supports the Internet of Absolutely Everything.”. All Tier Certification of Design Documents awards issued after 1 … Uptime Institute is the Standard bearer for Digital Infrastructure performance. To meet their goals, suppliers have focused on improving electrical efficiency of equipment and have developed nonmechanical alternatives (such as free cooling). The requirements for a Tier I facility include: Tier I protects against disruptions from human error, but not unexpected failure or outage. Tiers, which allows for many solutions and a variety of configurations, gives the design, engineering, and operations teams the flexibility to … Tier 5 Platinum not only encompasses the resiliency and redundancy in other data center ratings systems, but also evaluates more than 30 additional key elements, such as long-term power system capabilities, the number of available carriers, zero roof penetrations, the location of cooling system lines in or above the data center, physical and network security and 100-percent use of renewable energy. No high-risk neighboring facilities (e.g. Tier IV data centers also require continuous cooling to make the environment stable. Switch knows a data center without connectivity, green sustainable power sources, and physical security is not really a data center. Uptime Institute created the data center Tier classification levels over 25 years ago, and today, they remain the international standard for data center performance. All Rights Reserved. and the associated certification of data center compliance with the standard. WORLD-LEADING EXASCALETECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS. PUEs have fallen from an average of 2.5 in 2007 to around 1.6 today. Uptime Institute created the data center Tier classification levels over 25 years ago, and today, they remain the international standard for data center performance. In response, Uptime Institute has implemented an expiration date on TCDDs. Our data center classifications are divided into four Tiers that match a particular business function and define criteria for maintenance, power, cooling and fault capabilities. no water permitted on or above data center floor), Representation and warranty letter signed by officer of the company guaranteeing service levels, Powered by local, new, renewable projects, Seasoned sector 12 month PUE trailing average of less than 1.3. A Trusted IT Partner for the World's Leading Enterprises. Tier II facilities cover redundant capacity components for power and cooling that provide better maintenance opportunities and safety against disruptions. That will work in contrast to revenue-driven Uptime Institute, which offers its certification administrations to similar clients pursued by Uptime Institute’s parent, ‘The 451 Group’. 2 Introduction This introduction is not part of Uptime Institute Data Center Site Infrastructure Tier Standard: Topology.It provides the reader with context for the application of the Standard. Customers can now choose between a broad array of options, from in-house, to carrier, to colocation, cloud or managed service offerings. Uptime Institute consultants review 100% of the design documents, ensuring that each and every electrical, mechanical, monitoring, and automation subsystem meets the Tier objective requirements. TierPoint operates data center facilities in excess of 20 markets and 5,000 clients, consistently increasing their footprint through acquisitions and rapid growth. For business objectives that are critical enough to require Tier III or IV facilities, Uptime Institute recommends a minimum of one to two qualified operators on site 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year (24 x 7). Dedicated cooling equipment that runs outside office hours. These classifications are objective and reliable methods for comparing the performance of one site infrastructure against another and aligning infrastructure investments to business goals. Tier IV facilities add fault tolerance to the Tier III topology. Training is centered around Uptime Institute Tiers Standards as well as the importance of staffing, training, planning and operations of data center infrastructure. The Uptime Institute does not certify data center designs, facilities or operations, as Tier V. Switch’s Tier 5 Platinum guarantees that a data center’s power and cooling systems are fault sustainable, but also guarantees many other elements critical to support the Internet of Absolutely Everything®. Uptime Institute has not authorized other organizations to certify data centers under its Tier Classification System. Browse the list below to find these awards by country/region or by company. Featured News. The underlying infrastructure must contemplate security, connectivity, sustainability and much more. Beyond the Tier 5 Platinum standard, Switch sees the need for industry alignment and self-regulation. To date, the Uptime Institute does not acknowledge Tier 5 data centers in their certification, but the original creators of the standards are in support of the newest tier level. Critical distribution path equipped with features to provide circuit monitoring from UPS to power panel branch circuits. A tier 5 certification is designed to denote a facility that meets the highest possible standards in the market today regarding uptime and resiliency. Switch invented the Tier 5® Platinum standard because Switch data center designs, facilities and operations far surpass the highest data center benchmarks available today. The Uptime Institute does not certify data center designs, facilities or operations, as Tier V. Switch’s Tier 5 Platinum guarantees that a data center’s power and cooling systems are fault sustainable, but also guarantees many other elements critical to support the Internet of Absolutely Everything ®. Investing in Tier Certification puts your data center infrastructure under review and proves compliance, reassuring your clients that your facility will meet their expectations. Furthermore, each Faculty is a co-author of the Tier Classification and Operational Sustainability white papers and a Tier Certification Authority. Uptime Institute is the Standard bearer for Digital Infrastructure performance. When the original data center standards were developed by Hank Seader and Ken Brille back in the early days, no one envisioned the world would evolve as much as it has. The tier 5 designation was initially developed by colocation and cloud provider Switch in 2017, and is technically separate from the four core tiers designated by the Uptime Institute. Rob Roy has well over 500 patent and patent pending claims that protect his vision and inventions. These metrics include redundant electrical path for power, uptime guarantee, cooling capacity, and concurrent maintainability, to name a few. The World’s Leading Data Center Ecosystem, Data center can run forever without water, Outside air pollutant detection and protective response capable, Physically diverse critical distribution pathways to the data floor, Fault tolerant critical equipment and critical distribution paths for each system, 12 hours of fault tolerant on-site and redundant makeup water capacity, Meets ASHRAE high and low temperature requirements, Capacity at ASHRAE N=20 dry bulb and maximum wet bulb, Capacity at ASHRAE N=20 dry bulb and extreme maximum wet bulb, Each compartment contains no more than the number of redundant capacity components, If chilled water technology is used, the chiller capacity is calculated at ASHRAE maximum wet bulb temperature, Automatic leak detection and automatic leak mitigation for all piping and CRAHs, Both A & B power stays online during 90% of site maintenance, Stored energy system configured in an N+1, The stored energy system has a permanently installed monitor. 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