Strengthening Data Center Infrastructure

Colorado Christian University needed to enhance the reliability and security of its disaster recovery site located near the campus. With increasing IT demands and expectations for continuous availability, CCU sought a partner to assess its current environment and deliver a roadmap for the necessary redundancy to deliver the best customer experience possible.

Challenges

• Space: IT equipment was housed in a shared environment without secured cabinets.
• Power: Redundant UPS units were tied to the same electrical subpanel, some equipment was single-corded, and outdated unmetered power strips were in use.
• Cooling: Inefficient airflow created hot and cold spots.
• Connectivity: Outdated network patch panel and haphazard cabling reduced network reliability.

Solution

After listening to CCU’s concerns, a full site assessment was conducted and a turnkey hardening plan was delivered to address each area:

• Space: Installed secure locking cabinets with internal cable management.
• Power: Implemented true A-B power from separate subpanels, added automatic transfer switches for single-corded devices, and deployed fully managed switched and metered power strips.
• Cooling: Optimized airflow circulation by rotating cabinets 180 degrees.
• Connectivity: Upgraded patch panels and executed a seamless network cutover within a strict maintenance window.

Results

Colorado Christian University’s disaster recovery site was transformed into a secure, reliable, and efficient environment. The improvements provided redundancy, eliminated weak points, and ensured the infrastructure could meet rising demands.