There are many considerations to keep in mind before choosing the right generator and configuration for your data center. First, identify your data center tier based on the most common data center redundancy levels:

N redundancy: This level is the minimum required for a system to power or cool the facility at full load.

N+1 redundancy: This level refers to the base level of resources required plus a single backup for the system to function normally providing a single redundancy solution.

N+2 redundancy: This level is the next step up where two separate backups are added to the base level resources needed for system functionality. These sometimes consist of two identical systems providing 100% of the capacity required and 100% of stranded capacity.

2N redundancy: Twice the number of required resources and capacity for an IT system to operate.

3N/2 redundancy: The three-to-make-two level of redundancy provides nearly 2N reliability with N+1 capital and operating costs but with added load challenges.

2(N+1) redundancy: This level is the highest level of redundancy in a facility. This system is very costly as it includes double the amount of power equipment plus an extra UPS module on each side to account for single power failures plus additional components in case either of the two parallel systems fail.

Why Preventative Maintenance Is Necessary

You’ve invested money into your facility and expect it to be running 24/7 without power interruptions, but inevitably things happen and equipment fails, natural disasters can hit when you least expect it, that is why reliable service and regular scheduled maintenance plans are essential to keeping your system up and running when you need it most.

When power loss occurs, you need to make sure that there is a seamless transition from utility power to generator power without any lag or downtime. Maintaining your generator is essential for keeping your data center protected.