Whilst we need to wait for the plaster to fully dry before we can paint, the joiners have been able to start hanging doors, fitting window frames etc…

Long term temporary lights (it makes sense to us!) will be installed in the computer room soon, so pictures of it’s evolution will follow then!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, it’s been a bit dark in there since the ceilings went in (there’s no lights yet), but we do have some pictures which we’ll put up soon!!  Focus will soon turn towards paint and colours, which will no doubt be an interesting meeting  ;-)

Interest in DC1.5 has gained momentum too, with more customers now expressing interest in rack space as it becomes available.  We’ve given several short tours around the build now, all met with favourable reviews.

(High Quality Colocation Rack Space in Sheffield – www.sheffielddatacentre.com)

The new fibre connection, in our under-constuction DC1.5, will provide a dedicated connection to our new computer room, and also provide load-sharing and redundancy for the existing connection in our existing computer room.  Both connections will be linked via dedicated transit VLAN’s between the two buildings.

No end-user disruption is planned during these early tests – we have a subnet not currently allocated to customers which we’re using for BGP testing.

On the whole a great day!  One step closer to Tier 3 perhaps…

A few of the latest build pics:

We are currently looking into different uses for the computer room in DC1.5, the obvious use is more colo space, however we’ve already had enquiries for a private suite, the other main consideration is splitting our cloud services across both computer rooms.

The carpenters have been on site erecting stud walls, starting to install ceiling joists and generally being dammed efficient!  Lots of deliveries have arrived on site, mainly construction materials to be installed over the next few days.

Here’s some pictures of the start of the Sheffield Data Centre Extension construction:

We’ll keep posting pictures every other day or so…

We can now reveal the BT Fibre which was installed last week was installed into this new unit, along with ductwork for fibre between the new and existing units allowing BT and Virgin Media to connect to both buildings.  A fibre “loop” will be created later this month.

Lots of work needs to be done before this new unit is ready for racks (or our desks!), construction won’t affect the current Data Centre or our customers, and plans to make live the 10 new racks in our current unit are still progressing.  Rack space in DC 1.5 is expected to be available in Q4 of this year.

There is potential for a private facility of 15 racks or a private suite of either 5 or 10 managed racks.

RCM Interiors has been appointed to complete the building construction which should take until the end of May, after which cabling, decoration, and general fit-out will take place in June and July.

Specifications, construction pictures and more info for DC 1.5 will appear on the blog over the next few days.

Once complete, the Sheffield Data Centre complex will boast the following:

• 2 fibre connections via 2 providers
• Full BGP failover network
• Mains, UPS and diesel generator power*
• A+B UPS feeds into DC 1.5
• Multiple redundant Evaporative Coolers*
• Multiple redundant hot air extractors*
• 1848U of rack space
• Welfare / rest space
• Disaster Recovery space
• 24/7/365 access for full rack customers*

*Available now in the current Data Centre.

If you’re interested in rack space in our facility, or want to discuss how our services can benefit your business, contact us on 0114 2280022, or email sales<at>hahosting.com

BT are back on Monday (30th) to do some more works  (ISDN, and NTE installs we think!)

It will be a couple of weeks before the fibre is “switched on” within BGP for carrying live traffic, until then we’ll be using it for testing and some internal project work.

Pictures of manholes, ducting and fibre sure to follow… watch this space!  :-)

New racks in place

All the new racks are bolted together and in their final places within the Sheffield Data Centre.  Planning has started for Hot Air Containment and extraction, due to be installed next month.  Cabling works will also start soon getting power and network feeds from the core to the new racks.

All the spare parts, and general clutter has now been cleared out of the computer room ready for the next 10 racks to be installed (as blogged last week):

Space - Ready for racks!

We have some work to do under the floor, as well as plan for cabling works.  Once done the racks will be wheeled in sometime later this week!