Leveraging the practical experience of our consultants in designing and auditing computer rooms and data centres, the DCD Data Centre Design Course emphasizes best practices in the specification, sizing, and design of data centres. Upon completing the course and passing the exam, you will receive a certificate and earn the right to use the DCD logo and designation while your certificate remains valid.

Description

A Data Centre Design Course Based on Real Project Experience

Drawing from our facilitator’s extensive practical experience in designing and auditing computer rooms and data centres, the DCD Data Centre Design Course emphasizes best practices in the specification, sizing, and design of data centres.

As the first-ever data centre design course, it has set the benchmark for others that followed, none surpassing its quality.

Our instructors, who are actively engaged in data centre design and auditing when not teaching, can provide expert answers to your questions.

What Will You Learn?

This comprehensive course covers everything from defining the optimal rack layout for your computer room to determining the size of the UPS and generator needed for backup power. You’ll learn how cooling systems work, which system is best for your facility, and its required capacity.

Simply the Best Learning Experience

While many Data Centre Managers experience only a few facilities in their careers, our instructors visit new facilities monthly. They are ready to answer any questions you have.

The course is rich with information and practical exercises to help you understand all aspects of data centre infrastructure. If anything is unclear, our experienced data centre consultants are available to assist, ensuring you benefit from their practical experience.

The course is continuously updated, explaining the relevance and application of US, UK, European, and International standards. Our instructors are actively involved in developing both European and American data centre standards.

Who Should Take This Course?

• IT Managers and Directors
• Data Centre Managers and Directors
• Facilities Managers
• Engineers and Consultants involved in data centre specifications

Get Certified – Certificate and Logo

Upon completing the DCD Data Centre Design Course and passing the exam, you will be awarded a certificate and the right to use the DCD logo and designation while your certificate is valid. The certificate expires three years from the date of issue. To renew certification, you will need to pay for and take a renewal exam and subscribe to the appropriate course. A reminder email will be sent near the certificate expiry to explain the renewal process.

Course Content

• Introduction to Data Centres:
  • Definition and limiting factors
  • Technical standards
  • Cost considerations
  • Ratings, tiers, and classes for reliability
  • Data Centre Efficiency – PUE
• Building a New Data Centre:
  • Steps in the process
  • Role of the designer
  • Budget allocation
  • Importance of handover documentation and commissioning
• IT Systems:
  • Basic building blocks and functions
  • Impact of changing technology
  • Differences between telecoms and IT equipment
  • Principles for improving cooling efficiency
• Spaces and Places:
  • Ideal locations
  • Engineered spaces for a data centre
  • Architectural requirements
  • Sizing the computer room
  • Calculating floor strength and room heights
  • Access and DDA requirements
  • Fire escapes and emergency lighting
  • Facilities management issues
  • Raised access floors: calculating floor strength, distributed and point loads, correct sealing, and preventing zinc whisker contamination
• Racks and Computer Room Layouts:
  • Hot and cold aisle concepts
  • 7 and 8 tile pitch models
  • Server and communications racks: 2 and 4 post designs
• Air-Conditioning:
  • Air conditioning and cooling principles
  • Laws of thermodynamics
  • Precision vs. comfort cooling
  • Available technologies: DX vs. central chiller options
  • ASHRAE, TIA, and CIBSE requirements
  • Ventilation and filtration requirements
  • Cooling efficiency: energy saving techniques, air economizers, water economizers
  • Calculating heat loads and aircon sizing: kW vs. tons vs. BTU of cooling
  • Hot aisle/cold aisle options
  • Advanced cooling systems: side to side cooling, water-cooled racks, CO2 cooled racks, spot cooling
  • Airflow calculations and CFD analysis
• Power:
  • EN50600/TIA942 & N, N+1, and 2N power models
  • EU Code of Conduct requirements
  • AC vs. DC power, kW and kVA
  • Single vs. 3-phase distribution
  • Rating, Tier, and Class 1-4 models
  • Calculating power needs: UPS and generator sizing
  • UPS options: off-line, online dual conversion, delta, transformerless, battery, and kinetic energy systems
  • Emergency Power Off requirements
  • Power distribution units
  • Earthing, grounding, and bonding: European, USA, and world standards (EN 50310 and TIA 607)
• Fire Systems:
  • Fire safety plans
  • Fire detection methods (VESDA)
  • Integrating fire, BMS, HVAC, and power systems
  • Fire suppression techniques: inert gas vs. halocarbon, water mist, low oxygen methods
  • Low risk fire cabling (US and European standards)
• Security:
  • Security standards
  • CCTV methods
  • Access control
  • Physical security measures
• IT Cabling Systems:
  • Evolution of computers, LANs, and cabling
  • International cabling standards: Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 6, Cat 6A, and Cat 7
  • Cabling components and high-speed networking
  • Definitions and differences: screened vs. unscreened cables, copper & fiber connectors
  • Pre-terminated cabling solutions and fiber optics
  • Matching LANs to cables
  • Latest fiber technologies (OM4, OS2)
  • Value engineering cable and LAN plant
  • Cabling system design: 2, 3, and 4 connector systems
  • ISO 11801 hierarchical model
  • Intelligent patching options
  • Rating and Class 1-4 requirements
  • Best generic designs: US vs. EU standards and terminology
• Cable Containment:
  • Separation of services to EU and USA standards
  • Calculating fill factors
  • Cable containment options
  • Fire stopping
• Monitoring Systems (DCIM and BMS):
  • BMS vs. DCIM
  • System costs
  • Key functions and implementation considerations of BMS and DCIM