How Orlando Colocation Operators Design for Hurricanes

Most data centers are built to withstand strong winds and rain, but hurricanes represent a higher threat level.

Constant winds blowing at 111 mph or higher can demolish power lines, and rain-induced floods make it nearly impossible for IT personnel to even access the premises.

Because they operate in a region prone to hurricanes, Orlando colocation centers have been structurally and operationally designed to cope with the hazards that storms like Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Katrina represent.

Asset Protection

Experts have warned that few IT managers think long term when it comes to natural disaster protection, even if their facility is located in a high-risk area. 

In Orlando colocation centers, equipment and other physical assets are positioned off the floor, to minimize the chance of water damage, and away from doors and windows.

In multi-story facilities, servers and other valuable assets are stored on the upper floors, with the exception of the top level, as gale-force winds can damage the roof.

Emergency Power Strategies

Orlando facilities have a centralized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capable of maintaining the center in the event that commercial power sources become unavailable.

When the UPS system senses the interruption, it transmits a signal to power up the generator, which is capable of handling computer loads as well as the colocation center’s air conditioning system, emergency lights, and telecom closets. All generators have at least 48 hours’ worth of fuel, with multiple fuel suppliers available.

Regular System Maintenance

All disaster recovery systems are regularly maintained. Scheduled tasks include:

• Routine inspections
• Primary power system testing
• Backup power system testing

All testing protocols are benchmarked, meaning that they are tracked over time instead of treated as standalone ‘pass/fail’ tests. This enables facility managers to determine the efficacy of the current system and spot areas for improvement.

Staff Attention and Involvement

Orlando colocation center IT staff, department heads, and other employees are fully versed on disaster recovery steps and business continuity protocols.

In some companies, all staff is required to participate in drills, in order to ensure that when a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes, everyone knows their respective roles and responsibilities.

The Bottom Line

The servers that host a client’s web presence are complex and high-performing pieces of modern technology, but they are also fragile and vulnerable to disruption.

Hurricane-force storms can wreak havoc on them and, by proxy, on a customer’s online business.

Orlando colocation centers position all hosted servers in advantageous locations, maintain emergency power supply sources, and train staff on rapid disaster recovery procedures. This way winds and flooding have as limited an impact as possible on the equipment and data entrusted to the facility for safekeeping.

Is your colocation center in a hurricane-prone area? If so, what protective measures have been implemented to keep the hosted servers safe during high-risk weather conditions?  Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.

And if you’re responsible for signing on new clients for your Orlando colocation services, be sure to download your free copy of Lead Generation Best Practices for Colocation Data Centers.