[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5Mistakes.png” alt=”Top 5 Data Center Mistakes and How To Avoid Them” title_text=”Top 5 Data Center Mistakes and How To Avoid Them” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Data center deployments require careful planning and execution. <\/span>The sheer complexity makes it easy to<\/span> stumble <\/span>into common pitfalls that can compromise <\/span>uptime<\/span>, security, and scalability. After talking with hundreds of customers, we’ve compiled<\/span>\u00a0the top five <\/span>data center <\/span>mistakes <\/span>organizations <\/span>often ma<\/span>k<\/span>e<\/span> during deployments<\/span>, with tips on<\/span> how to avoid them.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_padding=”15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”60px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In <\/span>the data center, the <\/span>focus is bringing production infrastructure online, including power, cabling, racks, servers, and network gear. But many project managers and architects say they wished they’d given more attention to<\/span>\u00a0setting up<\/span> proper management infrastructure. This <\/span>oversight <\/span>usually leads to <\/span>business challenges <\/span>down the line<\/span>, especially when management access relies on the production infrastructure<\/span>.<\/span> When a device fails or goes offline, <\/span>there\u2019s<\/span> no choice<\/span>\u00a0but to go on-site to manually troubleshoot and recover.\u00a0<\/span>Many professionals admit to <\/span>making this data center mistake and wish <\/span>that they <\/span>had <\/span>consider<\/span>ed<\/span> this<\/span> early in the planning process. Incorporating <\/span>something called Isolated Management Infrastructure from the start can avoid this challenge, since it provides a dedicated management plane through which teams can access production gear without relying on the production network.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”30px||30px||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>: Make management infrastructure a priority in your initial planning stages. This proactive approach can prevent complications later.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/IMI.png” alt=”IMI” title_text=”IMI” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”60px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_padding=”15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_id=”ZpeBlogPost” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”|0px||0px|false|true” custom_padding=”60px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px|0px|0px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|0px|0px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_css_free_form=”#ZpeBlogPost .et_pb_row.et_pb_row_4{|| width: 100%;||}” border_color_top=”#D6D6D6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Many data center implementors focus heavily on the<\/span> \u201crack and stack\u201d<\/span> initial<\/span> setu<\/span>p, <\/span>but<\/span> f<\/span>ail to<\/span> automate processes for <\/span>configuration and scaling operations<\/span>.<\/span> This <\/span>data center mistake often <\/span>leads to <\/span>days\u2019<\/span> or weeks\u2019 worth of manual, repetitive<\/span> work, <\/span>while <\/span>also expos<\/span>ing<\/span> the organization to human error. <\/span>A lot of people we talked to wish they’d invested just a few weeks into automating essential tasks such as switch setup, VLAN configurations, and IP address assignments, which would have saved them lots of time later on and likely helped to prevent errors<\/span>. Additionally, if rearchitecting is needed, automated systems allow for quick reimplementation, minimizing the time and complexity involved.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>: Dedicate time to automating routine processes. This investment will pay off in enhanced operational efficiency and reduced human error.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_padding=”15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”60px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_color_top=”#D6D6D6″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n When people think of out-of-band (OOB) management, a common misconception is that it is solely about Ethernet switches. However, <\/span>it’s<\/span> crucial not to overlook the importance of having management access to your entire device stack. Low-level access can be essential for system recovery and management<\/span>. The recent <\/span><\/span>CrowdStrike outage<\/span><\/span><\/a> is a perfect example<\/span> \u2013 when the failed devices <\/span>needed to be reimaged<\/span>, typical out-of-band management solutions were inadequate at providing this type of low-level access<\/span>.<\/span> Generation<\/span> three out-of-band serial consoles, like the <\/span><\/span>Nodegrid<\/span> Net SR<\/span><\/span><\/a>, give Ethernet, serial, and USB access, allowing teams to remote-in <\/span>at the BIOS level to revive failed devices. <\/span>Using this kind of comprehensive out-of-band \u2013 on a fully isolated management plane \u2013 helps teams remotely recover and <\/span>confidently automate processes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”30px|15px|30px|15px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tip<\/strong>: Ensure that your OOB strategy includes robust serial console access to enhance system reliability and recovery capabilities.<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMI-with-Nodegrid2.jpg” alt=”IMI with Nodegrid2″ title_text=”IMI with Nodegrid2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_padding=”15px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”60px||||false|false” border_color_top=”#D6D6D6″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Zero trust security is no longer just advisable, <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> essential.<\/span> The typical approach is to <\/span>establish<\/span> direct connectivity to devices\u00a0to configure, troubleshoot, upgrade, etc. But this <\/span>comes with<\/span> unnecessary risks, <\/span>often exposing management ports to the Internet<\/span> and leaving you at risk of attack. Without a fully isolated management plane and zero trust security controls,<\/span> how would you recover if you were <\/span><\/span>ransomware\u2019d<\/span><\/span><\/a>? <\/span>This is why <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> essential to implement <\/span>security controls<\/span> like<\/span> role-based access<\/span> and multi-factor <\/span>authentication<\/span>, and<\/span> ensure complete separation of management and production networks.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”15px|15px|15px|15px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n1. Overlooking Isolated Management Infrastructure<\/h3>\n
2. Neglecting Automation for Configuration and Scaling<\/h3>\n
3. Inadequate Out-of-Band Management<\/h3>\n
4. Ignoring Security Best Practices<\/h3>\n