A Tier III data center is concurrently maintainable with redundant components as a key differentiator, with redundant distribution paths to serve the critical environment. A Tier I data center is the basic capacity level with infrastructure to support information technology for an office setting and beyond. Uptime Institute created the data center Tier classification levels over 25 years ago, and today, they remain the international standard for data center performance. Uptime Institute can rate and certify your design and facility using the standards from our Tier classification requirements to give a Tier Certification. These classifications are objective and reliable methods for comparing the performance of one site infrastructure against another and aligning infrastructure investments to business goals. Customers can now choose between a broad array of options, from in-house, to carrier, to colocation, cloud or managed service offerings. Castor continued: “A tidal wave of technological change has been cresting. Founded in 2010 under the name Cequel Data Centers, TierPoint, LLC, is a data center provider that focuses on delivering cloud, managed services, colocation, and disaster recovery solutions to a variety of customers. Like a Tier I facility, unexpected shutdown of a Tier II data center will affect the system. Rob Roy has well over 500 patent and patent pending claims that protect his vision and inventions. It is ultimately up to the owner to determine which Tier is best for their business needs. Developed by Uptime Institute over 25 years ago, the Tier Certification is a proven measure of your data center infrastructure’s capability to meet the performance level your business depends on. The course is administered by Uptime Institute Faculty with field experience in the practical application of the Tiers. steel stiffened) in a steel frame which is fully grout filled and if unmanned without visible hinges, The premises has at least a minimum 7' with 18" perimeter fence with a 3 strand barbed wire topper, or similar piking, at 45 degree angle away from the premises that is not minimized by vehicle or pedestrian access, The facility has man trap access control  at all entrances, Access control authenticates each badge holder by PIN/biometric/Two Person Integrity, Security operations employs the most stringent physical security enforcement tools allowable by law, No flammable material is permitted on the data floor, Auditing standards required for the logical data housed are met, Access Control Program regulates access to operational zones, The premises can maintain shelter in place security operations for 100 hours. The first step is the Tier Certification of Design Documents. Switch has raised the bar beyond current industry standards with its own Tier 5 Platinum data center standard. 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. Although not critical to its market position, Switch pursued industry certifications to provide clarity to those less familiar with data center technology. © 2013-2020 Uptime Institute, LLC. Founded in 2010 under the name Cequel Data Centers, TierPoint, LLC, is a data center provider that focuses on delivering cloud, managed services, colocation, and disaster recovery solutions to a variety of customers. Together, topology and operational sustainability establish the performance criteria for data centers to follow. highly flammable, explosive, HAZMAT, or nuclear risks), Independently repairable/replaceable dual roof system, All cooling water outside the building shell (i.e. The environment will not be affected by a disruption from planned and unplanned events. Accordingly, for nearly two decades, Switch’s data center and telecommunication technology and services have been praised as Tier Elite® – above and beyond any current tier metric. The definitions and benefits of the Tiers are set in our topology standard and focus on the data center infrastructure. In 2016, Switch became the only entity to do so – twice. Uptime Institute reports its findings to the owner, noting any Tier deficiencies. These awards represent the 3rd party validation of data center designs, constructed facilities, operational plans and overall efficiency. Each data center can decide the best way to meet the Tier criteria and business goals. Uptime Institute has issued 1784 awards in 105 countries for our Tier Standard, M&O Stamp of Approval and Efficient IT programs. It is an American professional services organization best known for its "Tier Standard". Uptime Institute created the data center Tier classification levels over 25 years ago, and today, they remain the international standard for data center performance. “The spectrum of data center options has greatly expanded since their creation. All Rights Reserved. Data center owners can align their management style to a Tier to achieve these goals, as management behavior is essential to operational sustainability. False. 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 facility will have to shut down completely for preventive maintenance and repairs, and failure to do so increases the risk of unplanned disruptions and severe consequences from system failure. 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®. A Trusted IT Partner for the World's Leading Enterprises. A Look at Data Center Cooling Technologies. LAS VEGAS — Recognizing shortcomings in the way data centers are evaluated, Switch is introducing a new proprietary Tier 5 Data Center Standard that it expects will be the most comprehensive standard in the industry.. Explaining the Uptime Institute’s Tier Classification System (Oct2020 Update) The Making of a Good Method of Procedure. As demonstrated by the foils below, in 2014, Switch became the first and only carrier-neutral multi-tenant/colocation facility to be certified “Tier IV Gold” by the Uptime Institute. Uptime Institute is the Standard bearer for Digital Infrastructure performance. Investing in Tier Certification puts your data center infrastructure under review and proves compliance, reassuring your clients that your facility will meet their expectations. Switch’s Tier 5 Platinum contemplates internet connectivity and reliability of carrier services, physical security, regional disaster risks, and the sustainability and energy efficiency of a facility. It is now more critical than ever for customers to have transparency into the sustainability and reliability of their data center service providers. The data center classifications created by Uptime Institute are recognizable in the industry as the standards to follow for data center performance. Uptime Institute is currently delivering Tier Certifications in more than 85 countries. Hundreds of companies have gone through our Tier Certification program, recognizing that our classifications are meaningful to data center facility management. All of the IT equipment must have a fault-tolerant power design to be compatible. 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. Switch is introducing this new Tier 5 standard in an effort to reduce the lack of transparency and enhance the reliability of data center rating standards. Browse the list below to find these awards by country/region or by company. For each facility, Switch obtained certification in both Design and Facility categories. Featured News. Accordingly, Switch created a new standard in data center excellence: Tier 5® Platinum which are not only “fault tolerant”, but Fault Sustainable™️ in design, implementation, and operation. Fill out the form and we will follow up with you right away. 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. 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). A Trusted IT Partner for the World's Leading Enterprises. Tier IV facilities add fault tolerance to the Tier III topology. Tier I is, by consensus, the delineation for the least capable hosting facility. All Tier Certification of Design Documents awards issued after 1 … Data center owners may also want to consider other factors, such as building codes, regional weather, security and property usage. Myth: Site Location Uptime: Although a critical consideration for the lifecycle operation of the facility, geographical location does not affect Tier. To continue its pursuit of building the world’s best data centers, Switch raised the bar beyond current industry standards with its own Tier 5 Platinum data center standards. Our Tier Standard has been used in the design, construction and operations of thousands of sites in more than 100 countries. “The original data center standards were created for legacy data centers in the early 1990s,” said Samuel Castor, Switch’s EVP of Policy who helped formalize Switch’s new Tier 5 standards in partnership with Switch’s engineers and under the direction of Rob Roy. We will contact you soon regarding your inquiry. Switch also wanted to ensure no one was misled by would-be competitors misrepresenting the quality or reliability of their facilities. The Uptime Institute created the standard Tier Classification System to evaluate various data center facilities in terms of potential site infrastructure performance, or uptime. 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. The separation is necessary to prevent an event from compromising both systems. A Look at Data Center Cooling Technologies. Since that time, Switch became concerned that other data center standards fail to provide sufficient transparency or accountability. 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. It refers to the behaviors and risks apart from infrastructure design that determine the ability of the data center to meet long-term business goals. Founded in 2010 under the name Cequel Data Centers, TierPoint, LLC, is a data center provider that focuses on delivering cloud, managed services, colocation, and disaster recovery solutions to a variety of customers. Featured News. TierPoint operates data center facilities in excess of 20 markets and 5,000 clients, consistently increasing their footprint through acquisitions and rapid growth. PUEs have fallen from an average of 2.5 in 2007 to around 1.6 today. A detailed comparison between the Tier IV standard and Switch’s Tier 5 standard is available here. 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. 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 requirements for a Tier I facility include: Tier I protects against disruptions from human error, but not unexpected failure or outage. Accredited Operations Specialist (AOS) Course, Accredited Operations Specialist Eligibility, Accredited Operations Specialist Curriculum. 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. A Tier IV data center has several independent and physically isolated systems that act as redundant capacity components and distribution paths. Switch obtained the Uptime Institute Tier IV Gold certifications in 2014 and 2016. Switch believes this lack of transparency and holistic relevance makes it difficult for CTOs, CIOs and data center managers to understand the deep dive differences between colocation product offerings when selecting a provider. 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’. Uptime: Tier Certification is a third-party, independent assessment to the Uptime Institute's Tier Classification System, performed by its Professional Services consultants. and the associated certification of data center compliance with the standard. Uptime Institute is the operating division of the 451 Group. Tiers, which allows for many solutions and a variety of configurations, gives the design, engineering, and operations teams the flexibility to … Have questions or need help? However, if the redundant components or distribution paths are shut down for maintenance, the environment may experience a higher risk of disruption if a failure occurs. Uptime data center tier standards: The Uptime data center tier standards are a standardized methodology used to determine availability in a facility. TierPoint operates data center facilities in excess of 20 markets and 5,000 clients, consistently increasing their footprint through acquisitions and rapid growth. Our Tier Standard has been used in the design, construction and operations of thousands of sites in more than 100 countries. Switch's data center and telecommunication technology services have been praised as Tier Elite® – above and beyond any current tier metric, including those offered by the Uptime Institute. Uptime Institute does not design, build or operate data centers. TierPoint operates data center facilities in excess of 20 markets and 5,000 clients, consistently increasing their footprint through acquisitions and rapid growth. The Tiers are progressive, so each Tier incorporates the requirements of the lower Tiers. When a piece of equipment fails, or there is an interruption in the distribution path, IT operations will not be affected. Tiers are flexible enough to allow for many solutions that meet performance goals and compliance regulations. The Accredited Tier Specialist program provides instruction for the data center management team directly responsible for data center’s uptime. 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. Browse the list below to find these awards by country/region or by company. The data center Tier definitions define criteria, but not specific technology options or design choices to meet the Tier. These metrics include redundant electrical path for power, uptime guarantee, cooling capacity, and concurrent maintainability, to name a few. The underlying infrastructure must contemplate security, connectivity, sustainability and much more. Operational sustainability is the second essential component of our data Tier classification. In response, Uptime Institute has implemented an expiration date on TCDDs. Explaining the Uptime Institute’s Tier Classification System (Oct2020 Update) The Making of a Good Method of Procedure. This certification means that the infrastructure has no weak areas, and the data center has worldwide accountability for excellence. These mission critical elements are not being evaluated in other data center rating systems. This progression does not mean that a Tier IV data center is better than a Tier II — it means that these levels fit differing business operations. The security team conducts at least semi-annual security threat assessments in accordance with the facility's established quantitative and qualitative threat assessment methods. 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. Data center owners may want to reach a particular Tier level to meet their business demands. There are different Tiers according to the system availability needed. Since then, these certifications have gained worldwide recognition and provide a mark of excellence unique to high-performing businesses. Beyond the Tier 5 Platinum standard, Switch sees the need for industry alignment and self-regulation. 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