Case Study: Data Center Migration for Leading Construction Company in the United Kingdom
Client Overview:
- Client: Leading Construction Company
- Industry: Construction
- Location: United Kingdom
- Scope: Data Center Migration
- Services Provided: Data Center Relocation, Device Transport, Rack Installation, Device Configuration, Project Management
Project Background:
Digital Infotech was selected to manage a data center migration for a leading construction company in the United Kingdom. The project involved the relocation of both the primary and secondary data centers, which housed critical IT infrastructure such as servers, network switches, storage devices, and backup systems. This required the migration to be completed with minimal downtime and to adhere to high standards of data security, device handling, and technical configurations.
The migration was scheduled over two weekend windows to ensure there was no disruption to the client’s business operations. Digital Infotech’s comprehensive approach was essential to ensuring that both data centers were successfully relocated within this time frame, and all systems were online at the target data center without issue.
Challenges & Issues Faced:
1. Delayed Device Power Down at the Secondary Data Center
Problem:
At the secondary data center, the team experienced delays in shutting down critical devices. The shutdown process was complicated by the interdependencies between devices, which required additional time to ensure systems powered down properly without causing any data corruption.
Impact:
The power-down delay extended the un-racking phase, which added additional pressure to meet the tight migration schedule.
Resolution:
Digital Infotech collaborated with the client’s IT team to streamline the power-down process. We utilized pre-migration coordination and dry runs to account for devices requiring extra shutdown time, ensuring that all equipment was safely powered off and ready for the next phase.
2. Unexpected Road Closures During Transport
Problem:
On the day of transport, unexpected road closures along the pre-planned route posed a significant challenge, potentially delaying the relocation process.
Impact:
The road closures risked delaying the arrival at the target data center, thereby potentially affecting the overall project timeline.
Resolution:
Digital Infotech’s logistics team, equipped with real-time navigation tools and alternative routes, quickly adapted to the changes, ensuring that the transport vehicle arrived on time without compromising security or safety.
3. Incorrect Rack Sizes Ordered by the Client
Problem:
Upon arrival at the target data center, it became apparent that the racks ordered by the client were not the correct size for several of the devices. This led to a delay in the re-racking process.
Impact:
The mismatch in rack sizes delayed the installation of some critical devices, which further extended the migration timeline.
Resolution:
Digital Infotech immediately sourced the correct racks from local suppliers to ensure proper installation. Once the correct racks arrived, the re-racking was completed promptly.
Solution Execution – Step-by-Step Process:
Step 1: Preparation and Device Shutdown
Pre-Migration Preparation:
Digital Infotech arrived at the secondary data center and conducted a thorough assessment of the devices to be relocated. This involved checking device specifications, dependencies, and confirming with the client that all equipment was ready for shutdown.
Device Shutdown:
Following customer confirmation, the team meticulously powered down all devices, ensuring each system was properly shut off to avoid data corruption. The careful shutdown process was coordinated to ensure smooth packing for transport.
Step 2: Unracking and Packing
Device Unracking:
Once devices were powered down, our team began the unracking process. Each device was carefully labeled to ensure it would be placed in the correct location in the target data center. We also ensured that all cables, connections, and hardware were properly documented to facilitate seamless reinstallation at the destination.
Packing for Transit:
Each device was securely packed for transit using industry-standard materials. The packing was done to prevent physical damage during transport. We followed strict packing guidelines to ensure that fragile components, like hard drives and storage units, were well protected.
Step 3: Transport and Arrival
Device Transportation:
The devices were loaded into transport vehicles and sealed with security tags to ensure they were tamper-proof. This security measure was critical to maintaining the integrity of the devices during the journey.
Journey to Target Data Center:
Despite road closures along the original route, Digital Infotech’s logistics team swiftly rerouted the transport to ensure timely arrival at the target data center, located 280 kilometers away. Real-time monitoring was used to track the vehicle’s progress and make adjustments as necessary.
Step 4: Unloading and Re-racking
Device Unloading:
Upon arrival, the security seals on the transport vehicles were verified by the client’s team before unloading. This ensured that all devices had arrived intact and secure.
Re-racking and Reconnection:
Once unloaded, our team carefully re-racked the devices according to the specifications outlined in the pre-migration plan. Each server, storage unit, and network switch was properly mounted, and the patch cables were reconnected. We took special care to ensure that each device was placed in the correct rack, as per the client’s requirements.
Step 5: Testing and Confirmation
Verification and Testing:
After re-racking, each device was powered on and tested to ensure it was functioning as expected. The team conducted an extensive round of testing for each system, checking for network connectivity, server boot-ups, and ensuring all devices communicated properly with one another.
Client Confirmation:
Once all systems were verified as fully operational and online, the client conducted their final checks and confirmed the successful completion of the migration. We provided a comprehensive migration report detailing the activities performed, as well as any adjustments made during the process.
Step 6: Primary Data Center Migration
The primary data center migration was executed following the same procedure. The process was mirrored to ensure that all devices in the primary DC were successfully relocated and brought online without issue. The team adhered to the same steps—shutdown, unracking, transport, re-racking, and testing—and completed the migration within the allotted weekend window.
Project Outcome and Benefits:
- On-Time Migration: Despite encountering unforeseen delays such as road closures and rack sizing issues, Digital Infotech successfully completed both primary and secondary data center migrations within the agreed weekend timeframes, minimizing downtime.
- No Data Loss or Corruption: By strictly following best practices in device shutdown and using tamper-proof transport measures, the integrity of all systems was maintained, ensuring no data was lost or corrupted during the process.
- Efficient Re-racking and Device Setup: Despite the rack sizing issue, the devices were re-racked with minimal delay, ensuring that all systems were up and running as per the client’s requirements.
- Client Satisfaction: The client expressed high satisfaction with the seamless migration process, the expertise shown by Digital Infotech’s team, and the smooth transition of all IT infrastructure to the new locations.
Conclusion:
Digital Infotech’s data center migration service for the leading construction company in the United Kingdom was executed flawlessly despite the challenges of device power-down delays, road closures, and rack sizing issues. By executing a detailed, step-by-step migration process and ensuring constant communication with the client, Digital Infotech ensured that both the primary and secondary data centers were successfully relocated and brought online within the scheduled timeframes.
For companies seeking expert data center relocation or migration services, Digital Infotech offers tailored end-to-end solutions that ensure minimal downtime, secure device transport, and optimal configuration at the target data center.