Data Centre
For over 20 years City Lifeline, now part of Redcentric, has been the leading colocation centre in central London. Customers range from major IT and communications companies to Tech City start-ups.
Many customers choose to operate their most critical equipment from secure racks in one of Redcentric’s data halls. Others choose a private suite for security reasons or to operate the private and secure part of a hybrid cloud.
Customers choose Redcentric for reliability and resilience to Tier 3 standards and for a wide choice of data communications carriers. They choose Redcentric because we are friendly, flexible and easy to work with.
Redcentric is a well located, and excellently connected professional data centre and is really easy to work with.
Central London Data Centre
The Redcentric London data centre is a single-site, self-contained data centre operating from 28,000 sqft of central London space to the highest standards of security and reliability. All major systems are duplicated, so that any maintenance work or fault does not affect operation of critical colocated customer equipment. There are dual 11,000 volt internal electrical substations in the data centre, fed from diverse 132,000 volt external main substations, and quad diesel generators. Only 100% green electricity and biodiesel is used.
The facility is security manned, patrolled and controlled 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Sophisticated monitoring systems continuously check the data centre environment and the health of the electrical, cooling, fire, security and communications systems. Any alarms raised are actioned immediately.
Data Centre Overview
Redcentric offers London colocation to Tier 3 data centre standards of reliability and resilience. Every part of every critical system is duplicated. No fault or maintenance causes your colocated critical equipment a loss of power, cooling or bandwidth.
Tier 3 “concurrent maintainability”
Everything affecting the availability of power, cooling or bandwidth to you is designed to be resilient to faults. Any individual part can be switched off for maintenance, and all maintenance can be carried out without affecting your equipment. That’s what Tier 3 reliability and resilience is all about and is what we deliver to you.
Electrical Power
Our London data centre has dual electrical mains feeds and six independent UPS pairs. Power is fed from two 11,000 volt substations within the facility, and derived from two diverse 132,000 volt substations in different parts of London. Maintenance or failure of any UPS system or any other power component will not affect your critical equipment. Four independent diesel generator systems support the facility – so even if the mains fails whilst one is being serviced, you are unaffected. That’s what concurrent maintainability means.
Cooling
Cooling systems are duplicated and fed from different power sources. Even switching off a whole cooling system will not affect you. In high density data halls and private suites, cooling systems are fed from UPS systems dedicated solely to cooling support, so that there is no interruption to operation even during a power fail changeover.
Connectivity
Bandwidth is supplied from independent routers on two cables and sourced from multiple carriers. No failure or maintenance affects you. Connectivity to other London data centres or to other locations can be single or diverse, and can be supplied by Redcentric or direct from the wide choice of carriers available in the data centre, as you choose.
Reliability and Resilience
When you choose Redcentric for London colocation, you get design for resilience. You get design for maintainability. You get reliability. You get protection from faults and errors. You get certainty that your critical services will keep going – all the time. That’s what Redcentric’s policy of designing to Tier 3 standards of concurrent maintainability means.
Tier 3 Standards
Redcentric’s London data centre is designed, built and operated to Tier 3 standards of Concurrent Maintainability. Every part of every critical system in the data centre is duplicated. No fault or maintenance causes your colocated equipment a loss of power, cooling or bandwidth.
Tier 3 means “concurrent maintainability”
Everything affecting the availability of power, cooling or bandwidth to your colocated equipment is designed to be resilient to faults. Any individual part can be switched off for maintenance, and all data centre maintenance can be carried out without affecting your equipment. That’s what Tier 3 standards of reliability and resilience are all about and is what we deliver to you.
Connectivity
Bandwidth is supplied from independent routers on two cables and sourced from multiple carriers to meet the Tier 3 requirements. No failure or maintenance affects you. Connectivity to other London data centres or to other colocation centres can be single or diverse, as you choose.
Tier 3 standards mean resilience and reliability
When you choose Redcentric for London colocation, you get a data centre designed for resilience. You get design for maintainability. You get reliability. You get protection from faults and operator errors. You get certainty that your critical services will keep going – all the time. That’s what Redcentric London Tier 3 colocation standards means.
Power and Cooling
Our London data centre has dual electrical mains feeds and six independent fully-redundant UPS pairs. Power is fed from two 11,000 volt substations within the facility, and derived from two diverse 132,000 volt substations.
Maintenance or failure of any UPS system or any other power component will not affect your colocated critical equipment. Four independent diesel generator systems support the colocation facility – so even if electrical mains power to the data centre fails whilst one is being serviced, you are unaffected. That’s what Tier 3 standards of concurrent maintainability mean.
Cooling systems are duplicated and fed from different power sources. Even switching off a whole data centre cooling system will not affect you. In high density data halls and private suites, cooling systems are fed from dedicated UPS systems, so that there is no interruption to the operation of your colocated equipment even during a power fail changeover.
We have been in the Redcentric London data centre since 2004. We have a great working relationship with Tech Ops, who are always very helpful. Redcentric has great carrier connections and has invested a lot of money into the facility – that investment is very apparent. We are absolutely happy there.
Data Centre Security
Redcentric takes Security extremely seriously. The London data centre is security staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Security guards are trained, qualified and accredited. They make decisions and take immediate action when matters affecting building or Customer security arise. Things are dealt with courteously and firmly by a real human being who knows what he is doing and there is a controlled escalation procedure for more serious events.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
The entire data centre has complete external CCTV monitoring, plus floodlighting as needed. Movements out-of-hours are detected and alerted by automatic analysis of the camera images and by separate electronic movement sensors. CCTV is recorded for evidence and analysis purposes, and notices make it clear to any potential intruder that they are being watched and recorded.
Entry and Exit
Entry and Exit is through controlled turnstiles. Access is available on a 24/7 no-notice basis to persons pre-approved by the Customer, and on a permission-based control system for persons not pre-approved. Out-of-hours, all entry points are blocked by mechanical roller shutters, leaving only fully-alarmed one-way reinforced fire escape doors.
Biometric Control of Access
Access throughout the London data centre is controlled through biometric fingerprint scanners. Access is granted by Security on a daily basis to specific, controlled areas of the facility. As a Customer, your access is secure, quick and easy. If you do not have authority, you will not gain access.
Find out more about our data centre biometric security controls >>
Patrols
Every part of the data centre is patrolled 24 hours a day. All access points and fire exits are checked, all customer areas are checked and every individual colocation rack in every data hall is checked to ensure it is locked and secure. Any action needed is taken and reported immediately.
Removal of equipment
Removal of equipment from the data centre is managed through permission-based procedures, where only persons whom you have designated can authorise removal.
Redcentric’s security keeps you and your colocated equipment safe from thieves or interference. You can access your equipment at any time of the day or night, without prior notice if necessary, but no-one else can touch it or remove it without your knowledge and permission.
Electrical Power
The London data centre’s electrical systems are designed to Tier 3 levels of reliability and resilience. No individual fault affects the operation of your critical colocated equipment.
Electrical Mains Feeds
Power is delivered from two 132,000 volt main distribution stations in different parts of London. One is in Clifton Street, only 150 metres from the data centre. The main distribution stations transform the voltage down and feed it to two independent 11,000 volt substations in different parts of the data centre. Each substation has dual fully-redundant feeds through two separate resilient ring structures. Both substations continue to operate securely and reliably even if one half of an 11,000 volt ring on either substation is lost.
Diesel Standby Power
If a power feed fails, automated detection systems transfer the power sources to on-site diesel generators. The diesel generation capacity available is more than enough to power the whole data centre indefinitely. Four generators, configured as two 2N pairs, ensure full power performance even if one generator in either pair fails.
Priority Refuelling
The on-site diesel fuel tanks provide four days’ continuous running, and contracted priority re-fuelling ensures that adequate fuel is available even in the most extreme emergency.
Six UPS Pairs
Electronic and IT equipment in the London data centre is supplied from six independent pairs of Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS). Each pair is in 2N configuration, with at least 15 minutes running autonomy. All are covered by fast-response manufacturer’s service contracts.
-48 volt dc Power for Telecoms
Specialised telecoms equipment is fed from a 2N fully redundant -48 volt dc onsite power system. dc power is available in all data halls and private suites.
120 volt Power for USA Colocation Customers
Most electrical power used in colocation in London is specified at the 230/240 volt European standards. Most equipment for USA customers is bought to UK standards to operate in the UK. Occasionally, it may be necessary for a US specified piece of equipment to operate in the London data centre at 120 volts. Electrical power at 120 volts can be made available when needed.
Power in the London data centre is carefully thought through to deliver Tier 3 standards of reliability and resilience and to absolutely guarantee secure and reliable power. So you never need to worry about the power available to your colocated equipment.
Data Centre Cooling
The London data centre uses all-DX chilling systems. These give the smallest possible footprint and the high energy efficiency needed in a colocation facility. The chilling systems are configured at 2N, meaning that their operation is resilient to any failure or removal of any part for maintenance.
2N Fully Redundant DX Cooling
Redcentric chooses all DX (Direct Expansion) cooling as the best fit for a central London data centre. DX provides the best use of valuable space. Heat is moved around the data centre as in 5mm copper pipes under extremely high pressure, typically 30 Bar. The choice of DX means very high flexibility and scalability in a data centre which is continuously under change, as colocation requirements change. Any escaping fluid turns instantly to gas, avoiding the leakage risks of water cooling in a multi-storey data centre.
Hot and Cold Aisle Containment
Air is separated, with no mixing of hot and cold air. The high temperature difference across the cooling coils gives the maximum efficiency. Cold air naturally falls and hot air naturally rises, so the airflow is designed for cold air to fall into the cold aisles and hot air to rise into the cooling coils. Cold aisle temperatures are normally set at 22 degrees C, to cater for the many types of electronic and IT equipment that colocation customers may install in the data centre.
Green and Efficient Cooling
The DX chilling systems used in the London data centre are exceptionally energy efficient and environmentally friendly. DX efficiency is measured by its COP (Coefficient of Performance). Redcentric’s London data centre uses DX systems with a COP of not less than 3.5. This gives a Partial PUE of 1.28. Computerised Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are used to design the data hall cooling for maximum efficiency. The DX systems are exceptionally quiet, to reduce noise pollution in an urban area. They are very small, compared with alternative air handling technologies. This makes them visually acceptable and allows them to use the minimum possible space.
Monitoring and Alarms
Each half of the 2N system has a separate monitoring system, for resilience. A further independent temperature monitoring system is also installed throughout the London data centre, providing remote alarms to the Technical Operations team if any parameter moves out of its safe zone.
Redcentric’s cooling systems are highly optimised for the specific colocation environment of a London data centre. They are efficient, green, reliable and designed so that you never need to worry about the environment in which your most critical colocated equipment operates.
The Data Centre Space
Redcentric provides secure data centre space for operating an organisation’s most critical operations. The facility itself provides 28,000 sqft (2,600 sqm) of space, over five floors, in the very centre of London. The colocation facility is 21 metres above the level of the River Thames, and does not suffer from the flood risks of sites in the London docklands areas. The data centre roof is a popular place to mount aerials and antennas.
Space Organisation for Security
The data centre has only two entrance points, one through Reception at the front and one through the loading bay at the rear. The Security Office sits between the two, so that Security can monitor and control all person and goods access.
Data Centre Space Flexibility
Space in central London is expensive and the facility is carefully designed to maximise the use and value of data centre space for colocation. Flexibility is also important – since City Lifeline, now part of Redcentric, started operations in 1993, every part of the facility has changed use at some time. All electrical plant is situated at ground floor level, as is the meet-me room, where most carriers locate their equipment. Most chilling plant is at roof level, to use the roof space effectively and free the floor areas for colocation and cloud services.
Fibre Entry Points
There are three fibre entry points to the data centre, physically separated from each other. Because much fibre is laid in Clifton Street, the most common choice is an entry point at the north of the data centre, running north and an entry at the south of the data centre, running south.
Aerials and Antennas on the Data Centre Roof
The height of the data centre roof allows good line-of-sight communications across London. The data centre space accommodates roof aerial and antenna colocation for local and long distance use. Satellite aerials and antennas can also be mounted, although very large aerials or antennas, over 4 m in diameter on the data centre roof, will require permission from the local authorities, and may also require structural steelwork for safety and stability under wind loading.
Floor Loading
The facility is constructed of concrete and steel to a live load level of 3.5kN/sqm. Most normal loads are well within this level. Exceptional loads can be accommodated with steel spreader bars between structure columns.
Fire Protection
Fire is a rare occurrence in a well-run data centre these days. Modern server and telecoms equipment contains little combustible material and data centre designers consider the effects of fire and fire protection at all stages of design. But precautions and protections are still needed.
VESDA Smoke Detection
VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection and Alarm) systems are the primary defence against fire in the London data centre. Any fire in a data centre will always start with smoke. Sensitive smoke detectors under the floor and in the air movement areas above the floor detect the first signs of smoke. The data centre is manned 24/7 and they send alarms to the Security guards to investigate and take early action if needed.
Gas suppression
Data Halls and common colocation rack areas are additionally fitted with gas suppression systems for the suppression of fire if one should break out. These are manually operated and flood the data hall with inert gas, suppressing the spread of a fire, whilst allowing enough oxygen for any persons present to escape.
Private Suites
Private colocation suites are always built to customer specification. They contain as much or as little fire detection and suppression as the customer requires, subject only to the overall fire safety of the facility.
Inspections and Monitoring
Fire rarely occurs without warning. Redcentric has qualified, well-trained technical staff performing regular, scheduled alarm system checks and inspections of all risk areas.
Safety from data centre fire
All the necessary precautions and procedures against fire in our London data centre have been put in place. Any risks are dealt with proactively before they become problems. Any signs of smoke will be detected early and acted upon swiftly by real on-site persons, with the power to make decisions and take immediate action. Any real fire in the data centre will be quickly and effectively suppressed.
Your colocated equipment is safe from any fire risk.
Monitoring the Data Centre
Redcentric has developed sophisticated in-house data centre monitoring systems to oversee and display the active status of all critical elements of the London data centre. The Technical Operations team receives alerts if a parameter goes out of its safe band and takes pre-emptive action.
Monitoring on the move
The systems show the Technical Operations staff any changes to the data centre on iPhones, even when they are on the move. Monitor alerts are automatically raised if any parameter moves outside its acceptable range. Technical staff know immediately what is happening and can decide if any action is needed, even if they are not in the data centre at the time.
The Key Parameters
The important parameters for the correct performance of a data centre are the electrical systems, the cooling systems, the environmental conditions and the security status of the facility. Redcentric monitors them all, in real-time and the Technical Operations team are able to respond quickly and effectively to any event that occurs.
History recording in the data centre
The entire history of the data centre is monitored and recorded at three second intervals for the previous five years. Long-term trends and energy improvements can then be calculated. The data recording is used for long-term improvement projects. History recording helps make the facility more efficient.
Reliability and Service from Monitoring
You know that the data centre is always fully monitored and the technical staff are always fully informed. They have the tools and information they need readily to hand. They are aware of everything happening and can and will deliver the level of service and reliability that you need.
So, if there is a problem, the monitors will pick it up and someone will be aware of it immediately and will be taking action to fix it. So you have peace of mind that the London data centre technical staff are working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly and as it should.
London Colocation
Colocation (and its many spelling variants) involves an organisation operating its most critical computer and communications operations from a secure external data centre where other organisations which are useful to it also locate their equipment. The benefits of colocation come from the ability to interconnect quickly and easily to them and to be part of a community with similar and complimentary aims.
Carrier Neutral Colocation
An organisation which requires multiple interconnections for data communications should always choose carrier neutral colocation in a data centre where many carriers are present. The alternative is a carrier-owned data centre, where the carrier provides the data communications, as so restricts choice.
Rack Colocation in a Data Hall
Most customers locate their critical equipment operations in racks in a Data Hall inside the data centre and shared with other similar colocation customers. The Data Halls contain between 20 and 100 racks each, with common power distribution, cooling and diverse fibre cableways. All racks are individually lockable and totally secure. The data centre racks are standard sizes, ranging from a quarter rack with a 2 amp power allocation to a full size rack with a 32 amp allocation.
Colocation in a Private Suite
Some colocation customers have specific requirements around security. Others wish, for their own reasons, to be separated from other colocation customers in the data centre. City Lifeline offers custom built Private Suites to such customers. Each suite is built to the customer’s exact requirements and every customer colocating in a Private Suite has different requirements.
London NOC
Unusually amongst London data centres, City Lifeline provides the facility to operate a 24/7 manned Network Operating Centre (NOC) inside the data centre. City Lifeline’s location, with its easy access, and its policy of manning the data centre 24/7 for security management, makes operating a NOC very simple.
Redcentric understands data communications and has impressive clients with requirements just like ours. They offer extremely robust ISP and carrier connectivity from a secure data centre right in the heart of central London. As we grow, we know they will offer all the service, connectivity and power we need.
Rack Colocation
This data centre facility is a major London colocation centre. The London data centre accommodates single, half or quarter racks in common data hall areas. Colocation customers operate their most critical equipment in Redcentric for many purposes, typically private clouds, ISP’s, telephony, unified communications and web hosting.
Each colocated rack in a data hall is individually lockable and has its own power feeds from unique breakers. Cooling, fire precautions and security are common to all the racks in the data hall.
Racks range from a quarter rack with a 2 amp (approx 0.5KW) power allocation at 240 volts up to a 47U full rack with a 32 amp (approx 7KW) allocation at 240 volts. Higher power allocations can be made available where needed.
Rack Facilities in the data centre
A standard rack for colocation use is 600mm wide x 1000mm deep x 42U high. A half rack is 600mm x 20U and a quarter rack is 600mm x 10U. Each standard rack in a rack colocation area is fitted with:
- under-floor Commando power connections
- overhead air handling and distribution
- internal rack power distribution arrangements
- rack current metering
- IP-enabled remote power cycling, if you so choose
You can measure your current draw at any time, either visually or over IP-enabled remote monitoring. If you choose to have IP-enabled power distribution, you can remotely restart the equipment in your colocated rack without physically visiting the data centre.
Non-standard sized racks can sometimes be accommodated in the London data centre.
Why Rack Colocation at Redcentric?
Rack colocation in Redcentric’s London data centre gives you:
- the full range of facilities available in a large professional London data centre
- individual access and control over your own rack
- smaller rack numbers than a private suite
- the ability to expand or contract as you wish, when you wish
- costs matched to your needs
Redcentric owns one of the best data centre facilities in London for operating colocated racks.
Redcentric is a great place for colocation for any small business. The data centre’s location in London makes it easy to get to and there is always help and advice on hand if I need it. My clients have a wide choice of communications carriers and I'm delighted to be there.
The Shoreditch Data Hall
The new Shoreditch Data Hall, to be opened in 2015, hosts 88 racks, used for cloud colocation and data communications. It occupies half of the fourth floor of Redcentric’s London data centrc and is the first part of a major expansion of the data centre in London. The data hall and the electrical and cooling systems are entirely new and built to Tier 3 standards of data centre concurrent maintainability and to the highest standards of industry best practice.
Redcentric understands data communications and has impressive clients with requirements just like ours. They offer extremely robust ISP and carrier connectivity from a secure data centre right in the heart of central London. As we grow, we know they will offer all the service, connectivity and power we need.
Data Hall Racks
All racks are 42U high and separately and individually lockable. They are organised in rows of seven colocation racks for easy access. All are fed with dual electrical power from two independent (A+B) underfloor commando sockets. Common power allocations vary from 2KW (8amps) to 7KW (30 amps). Higher power racks are available by special arrangement.
Power and Cooling
The Shoreditch Data Hall is the first application of a new 11,000 volt electrical substation inside the Redcentric London data centre. The colocation racks are fed from two independent UPS sets, isolated from each other for resilience. Two independent diesel generator sets, with Perkins engines and Stamford alternators optimised for high-harmonic data centre applications, provide 2N redundancy in the event of an external mains failure.
Cooling is at N+2 redundancy for reliability and resilience. All cooling systems are high-efficiency DX, with a Partial PUE of 1.28. All air handling is overhead. DX technology avoids the risks of water leaks and avoids contamination from outside air in the data centre.
Future Data Hall Expansion
The Shoreditch Data Hall is a major stage in Redcentric’s expansion. The new electrical substation will deliver up to 2MW of extra power and the space is already available inside the facility to add a further two data halls of similar size for cloud colocation and data communications colocation.
Colocation in a Private Suite
Redcentric’s London data centre is one of the few colocation centres in central London to offer private suites. A private suite offers complete equipment and operational security. No-one can enter or even view your colocation area inside the data centre without your having authorised them in advance. It is like having your own data centre within a data centre, with all the economies of scale that implies.
A private London colocation suite is economically viable above four to five racks (depending on power draw). Customers with fewer racks often choose this option where security and control aspects are critical.
Custom Private Colocation Suite
A private suite for colocation purposes can be completely built to your needs and to your requirements. Private colocation suites come in all shapes and sizes. You can select:
- power feed combinations and power redundancy
- cooling capacity, redundancy and headroom
- fire detection and suppression
- layout, work tables, cupboards and decoration
- access control, security and intruder detection
You can define everything to suit your specific needs for maximum reliability, the highest possible security or lowest cost for your budgets. Private suites come in all shapes and sizes. You can have your own balance between cost, reliability and redundancy and as much or as little security as you choose. For highly secure environments, a private colocation suite in the data centre facility in London is unbeatable.
Why choose a Private Suite at Redcentric?
When you consider moving your most critical operations to a colocation centre, consider operating from a Private Suite in the Redcentric London data centre. You have all the advantages of a large professional data centre operation at your disposal. You can specify and build your own data centre inside a data centre, in exactly the way you want. You’re in control and you can do it your way.
We chose Redcentric because they ticked all the right boxes for a private suite for us. They were independent, had excellent global connectivity and were good on uptime processes. Their pricing was good and they were in the perfect central London location. A great decision and we couldn’t be happier.
Colocated London Network Operations Centre (NOC)
Redcentric’s London data centre is an ideal colocation centre from which to operate a London NOC. A Network Operations Centre (NOC) is a place from where an operator of computer and communications networks controls and monitors the networks and systems, usually in real time. Full-time staff at a London NOC might analyse computer or communications problems and perform troubleshooting.
A NOC may schedule travelling site technicians or attend to unexpected emergencies, such as a fibre break or a power outage at a remote site. London NOC’s are sometimes operated only during working hours, but usually need to work 24/7, as faults and problems can occur anywhere and at any time.
Finding a technically sophisticated and well connected location for a 24/7 NOC is not easy. Few London data centres will allow NOC staff to work permanently in their facility.
Redcentric has had massive investment since we joined in 2005. It is now a top flight data centre, equal to any in London. I would have no hesitation in inviting any of my customers to tour the building. Redcentric's team have done a great job.
Locating a NOC in a London data centre
Redcentric’s data centre in London is an ideal place to locate a Network Operations Centre (NOC) because of:
- its location in the heart of London, easily accessible for staff
- its world class carrier neutral internet and telecoms connections
- its flexible 24/7 data centre access policies
- the high levels of security in its London data centre environment
- Redcentric’s ability and willingness to create and construct custom designed private suites specifically for your NOC
Designing a London NOC
When you specify that your London NOC be built in the Redcentric London data centre, you know it will work continuously and reliably. You can connect to multiple carriers to suit your needs. You can design it exactly the way you want it to work. You can locate it where you know your staff can get to it quickly and easily.
Major communications companies, such as Singapore Telecom and Nowtel, already operate their NOC in Redcentric for exactly these reasons.
100% Green Data Centre
This facility is one of the most environmentally conscious and sustainable green data centres in London. Our London data centre purchases only 100% renewable electricity, uses the maximum possible bio mix in its diesel fuel and has a continuous improvement policy dedicated to energy efficiency.
Green electricity for the green data centre
Redcentric buys only 100% renewable electricity. It comes from certified renewable wind, hydro, solar and biomass sources. No fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal are used. This is not the cheapest option, but is the most socially and environmentally responsible. Our data centre is exempted by the government from the Climate Change Levy because of this.
We have been in the Redcentric London data centre since 2004. We have a great working relationship with Tech Ops, who are always very helpful. Redcentric has great carrier connections and has invested a lot of money into the facility – that investment is very apparent. We are absolutely happy there.
Diesel generators for the green data centre
Diesel fuel for the backup diesel generators is a bio/petroleum hydrocarbon mix at the maximum bio level consistent with reliability. The fuel is regularly clean-cycled to ensure its purity. The diesel generators are new, electronically controlled and optimised for the very low pollution levels required in central London.
Reducing the data centre carbon footprint
Energy efficiency is often measured by PUE (Power Utilisation Efficiency). This is the ratio of the energy supplied to the facility and the energy supplied to the equipment. Redcentric’s London data centre has one of the lowest PUE’s of any green data centre and one of the lowest carbon footprints. Redcentric operates a policy of continuous energy efficiency improvement.
Energy efficient green colocation
Cooling is the major consumer of data centre energy after the equipment itself. Green colocation services are provided by all-DX systems with a minimum COP of 3.5. There is a continuous process of older units being cycled out and replaced with newer, more energy efficient ones. All new cooling designs are optimised using CFD (Computerised Fluid Dynamics). Redcentric does everything possible to be environmentally conscious and to be London’s greenest data centre. By using 100% green colocation services, you can achieve a reduced carbon footprint for your colocated IT and communications operations. You can demonstrate to your management or your customers a strong and on-going commitment to corporate citizenship and environmental sensitivity.
Carrier Hotel
London Carrier Hotel
A Carrier Hotel is a data centre accommodating many suppliers of data communications and international carriers. Most Carrier Hotels specialise in voice and data communications and host Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) and voice telephony service suppliers, alongside computer and IT systems. City Lifeline, now part of Redcentric, was one of the UK’s very first London Carrier Hotels and retains an extensive range of carriers colocated in the data centre.
London’s Fibre Alley
Data Communications carriers and service companies supplying data and voice communications tend to group and colocate together so that they can interconnect with one another as well as with customers and potential customers. In the 1990’s many carriers ran fibre down Clifton Street in London, largely because of the presence of the Redcentric London data centre and other customers. Clifton Street became known as “fibre alley” and the small area just north of the City became a major electronic communications centre. Redcentric became the leading London Carrier Hotel, rivalling those established in Docklands.
Unified Communications
As all communications technologies continue to move together and become part of the internet, so it becomes increasingly important to choose a data centre which has good data communications carriers. Voice, in particular, is now a function of the internet, rather than an industry on its own. Even simple computer systems are moving towards requiring sophisticated data communications. Not all carriers are the same and not all internet connections are the same. Colocating critical equipment in a data centre which is carrier neutral, as every Carrier Hotel must be, allows a wide choice of data communications suppliers.
Colocation in a Carrier Hotel
There are many choices today for colocation of critical computer and communications operations. Redcentric offers colocation in racks in data halls, in private suites and facilities for operating 24-hour NOC’s in London. An important part of the choice of data centre is its choice of carriers. Choosing a long established Carrier Hotel provides choices and options for today’s needs, and also for tomorrow’s more integrated and unified communications.
