New Data Center Pictures

[Karl]

I was asked for them, so here they are, pictures of our new 8,000+ sq. ft. data center. Yes, that is 8,000+ sq. ft. of usable data center space, room for over 200 cabinets.

Here are the front HVAC units. There is another set in the back, 5 on each side. They are setup in a manner that one could go down or be under maintenance without much of an increase in temperature even at full capacity. You can also see our garbage cart, etc. as we're still getting some things setup. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/front-hvac.jpg

A closer look of those cabinets from the same side. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/cabinets.jpg

A look down the aisle of the first 30 cabinets we setup. You can see one of the rear HVAC units in the back. Another thing to note is that there are HVAC vents right down the middle of the aisle. There is a vent every 2-3 cabinets to assure even cooling. The amount of airflow and direction of airflow can be controlled at each of those vents. I'm not sure if you can tell from this picture, but we can go down to about 45 cabinets in a row. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/aisle.jpg

A view from the other side. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/long-west.jpg

Here is a closer look at our power drops, above all the cabinets, as well as the cable baskets. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/power-basket.jpg

An image of one of the 6 PDU units currently in the space. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/pdu.jpg

The back PDU's, as I described before, you can also see two of the PDU units. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/back-hvac.jpg

A shot from the middle-back of the datacenter. You can see how much room we still have available. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/long-middle.jpg

The far east side of the data center, you can see the entry in the background as well as some of the painting stuff, they're just finishing up. In the foreground is our patch panel rack, where we're bringing in fiber and copper from our other data center space as well as from elsewhere in the building. Note: Yes, the fiber running across the floor to the left is temporary while we wait for the rest of the ladder rack/basket to be installed. - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/patch-rack.jpg

Yeah, this last picture is exciting, the door to our existing data center space. I'd open the door so you could see in, but the paint is still wet... - http://steadfast.net/images/newdc/door.jpg

[Henrik]

Up for a game of footie, anyone? ("echo, echo, echo...")

This new datacenter looks huge and I am personally looking forward to put my future server(s) in there.

For my curiousity; what kind of security system do you have in your facilities?

[BKotur]

Karl, compared to your original space, how large is the the one?

Up for a game of footie, anyone? ("echo, echo, echo...")

This new datacenter looks huge and I am personally looking forward to put my future server(s) in there.

For my curiousity; what kind of security system do you have in your facilities?

The security is pretty bad. They treat you like a criminal every time I go there. But then again, maybe it's because I look like one.

Actually, it's decent. When you first walk in, you have to sign in with the security at the front desk, then wait for someone to come down and get you (all doors require key cards). Then they escort you around and make sure you don't do anything you shouldn't. After that, you're escorted back to the front desk to sign out. While it's a long process if you're in a hurry, I haven't had any issues regarding it.

[Henrik]

What's your relationship with Steadfast? You work for them or are you allowed physical access to your servers?

What you describe sound fair enough! There are security guards and that?

[NickCatal]

Security isn't an issue in this place. For just the building everything requires a keycard and you are monitored from the moment you step on the property (security tends to follow people outside as they walk past with their cameras, especially at night.) There is a set list of who is allowed in the building and they check IDs if you don't have a keycard.

If you do have a keycard, you swipe by the "In" or "Out" terminal and on their computer it pops up your picture and if they don't know who you are they give you a once over.

I'm not familiar with the company's internal security disclosure policy, so I won't go much further into detail. Take a tour

[Justec]

Very niccce!!!

[Karl]

Yeah, building security has already been described, unless you're on the access list someone on the access list needs to escort you around the building. Then our own data center space is behind a key carded door and then a fingerprint scanner. There are cameras watching you the whole way as well, with full logs kept for at least 30 days. The Chicago fire marshal said it was the 2nd most secure building in the city...

This new space is four times larger than our old space.

[Henrik]

That is reassuring to know! Are there armed guards in the building btw?

[BKotur]

What's your relationship with Steadfast? You work for them or are you allowed physical access to your servers?

What you describe sound fair enough! There are security guards and that?

Oops, forgot about this thread. I'm a customer of Steadfast and I have a couple of servers colocated with them.

Their first DC is caged off, so even after getting through the door, you still need a key to get anywhere near the servers.

That is reassuring to know! Are there armed guards in the building btw?

I never paid attention to if they were armed or not.


I'm pretty satisfied with the security, even if it makes things difficult if I'm in a rush.

[Henrik]

Ah, thank you for giving an even better view of how things work over there!

I hope Karl&Steadfast manages to get more clients to open up their eyes to both the value for the money + the way clients get treated at their establishment.