What are people using for offline backups? I generate about 20TB/wk for work. Currently, I spit the data to a 104TB (usable) ZFS volume on a Supermicro then power down. What's the current data center tech?

Note: USB hard disks are not a suitable answer.

I’m about to build a cupboard to house my home data center. It has to be in a cupboard (or hidden) for approval from the other half.

Would love to see other peoples servers or data centers that are hidden behind a door or in a cupboard.

I'm seeking an affordable cloud server similar to OVH or Vultr, etc for disaster recovery (DR) and failover testing in my home lab. The server requirements are as follows: 6 CPU cores, 128 GB of RAM, and 500 GB of storage. It must support VMware 7.0 and be reconfigurable to run Proxmox and other environments. Additionally, it should offer dedicated IPMI for remote management.

Hi, I'm trying to build a business plan for building and owning data centers.

I would love to get some feedback on cloud service vs colocation service in terms of USD per square foot (Or for let's say 1mw power).

Any comments on the topic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I'm working on a project that's rapidly expanding, and I want to make sure our data center can handle the growth without breaking the bank. Here are a few things I'm pondering:

1. Scalability: How do you plan for future growth in your data centers?
2. Efficiency: Any tips on optimizing energy usage without sacrificing performance?
3. Security: What are your go-to methods for keeping data secure in your setups?

I've been researching different cooling systems, server configurations, and even renewable energy options. But real-world experiences and recommendations from you all would be invaluable. Plus, if you've faced any unexpected challenges or successes, I'd love to hear about those too. Let's geek out over data centers—drop your thoughts below!

Hi all, for those of you that are running a s3 compatible public cloud in your home datacenter, what are you using to run it (software wise)? I’m looking to build one out and have all the hardware in place, but haven’t looked into the software side yet. Wanted to get an idea of what others are doing and which way would be the best to go. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I’ve been diving deep into designing the infrastructure for a data center, and wow, it's a beast of a task. You’d think it’s just a bunch of servers in a room, but it’s way more intricate than that. I’m talking about power distribution, cooling systems, network setup, and security measures, all working together seamlessly. Anyone else tackled something like this?

First off, the power setup is no joke. You can’t just plug everything into a power strip and call it a day. You need redundant power supplies, backup generators, and UPS systems to keep everything running smoothly even during outages. I’ve been reading up on some of the best practices, and it’s like learning a whole new language. Anyone got tips on avoiding common pitfalls here? Then there's the cooling. Servers get hot. Like, really hot. So, you need a top-notch cooling system to prevent everything from melting down. I’ve seen setups with raised floors, chilled water systems, and even liquid cooling. I’m leaning towards a combination of traditional air cooling with some liquid cooling for the high-density racks. What’s worked for you guys?

Networking is another monster. Ensuring high-speed, low-latency connections between servers, storage, and the outside world is crucial. I’m thinking about going with a mix of fiber optics and high-capacity Ethernet cables. Also, designing the network topology to minimize bottlenecks and maximize efficiency is like solving a giant puzzle. Any network engineers out there with some wisdom to share? And let’s not forget security. Both physical and digital. Physical security involves surveillance, access controls, and sometimes even biometric scanners. On the digital front, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and robust encryption are must-haves. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, it feels like a constant battle to stay one step ahead. What’s your go-to strategy for securing your data center?

One more thing I’ve been pondering is the location. Should it be in a city center for easy access or a remote location for better security and cheaper real estate? Both have their pros and cons. I’m currently leaning towards a more remote location, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Lastly, I’m trying to future-proof this as much as possible. With tech evolving so fast, I want to ensure that the infrastructure can adapt to new advancements without needing a complete overhaul every few years. Modular designs and scalable solutions seem to be the way to go, but there’s so much to consider.

For those who’ve been through this, what were your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? Any horror stories or success stories? I’m all ears for any advice, tips, or even just a good discussion about the ups and downs of designing a data center infrastructure. Let’s hear it!

Background:

So I have a giant homelab with 400tb flash, 1.1pb HDD, 3.5tb ddr4, 160 cores, 4 3090's, 40gb and 10gb network, dual isp's, pfsense, etc.. I'm using this for big data on the scale of common crawl and plan on setting up a business around it. If I had revenue coming in I could justify moving it to a local colo with 10gb unlimited bandwidth for $1,500 a month. If I had $15k coming in, than $1,500 for a colo is obvious, but with no revenue that's just wasting money every month that could be spent on hardware. Right now electricity (including cooling) and ISP cost is about $500 per month.

My frame of reference:

Folks in r/homelab will have setups ranging from a single machine running plex to a 42 u cabinet running a bunch of k8s instances that replicate work environments. Folks in this sub such as myself will often have large amounts of hardware for a more specific purpose outside of what homelab people do. I'm trying to get an understanding of if anyone is using their home data center to support their own business which has real paying customers.

Questions for anyone using there home data center to support their own business or as the primary for someone else's.

1. What does your setup look like? Was it a series of small upgrades or did you drop a giant chunk of money all at once?
2. Why are you running it out of your home and not a data center? Did you have it in one and than decided to move it to your house, do you have it at your house and are considering moving it just not yet, or is it something else entirely?
3. What made you decide to avoid or use minimal cloud infrastructure and keep it in your home DC?

Any other wisdom you want to impart to on me?

Thanks in advance.

Designing a data center might sound daunting, but it's all about nailing down the essentials. First off, think about scalability. You want a setup that can grow with your needs, so planning for future expansions is key. Cooling is another biggie those servers can heat up faster than a gaming PC running Cyberpunk. Personally, I swear by a good airflow design to keep things chill. Security? Absolutely crucial. It's not just about digital defenses but also physical access controls. Trust me, you don't want any Tom, Dick, or Harry waltzing in and messing with your racks. Cable management is a sneaky detail that often gets overlooked but can turn into a nightmare if not done right. Lastly, consider energy efficiency. Green is the new black, after all. Opt for energy-efficient hardware and explore renewable energy sources where possible. It's not just about saving the planet; it could shave off a few bucks from your bills too.

Anyone else geeking out over data centers? Let's swap tips and horror stories!

I bought a network rack way back in the day.

Currently have a jonsbo N1 inside of it works perfect however my needs are exceeding the size and I desire to utilize the entire rack.

Currently the 12u rack has a netgear modem, dream machine pro and a 24 port poe UniFi switch and the jonsbo.

The rack is super shallow less that 15 inches deep from back of rack case to the front rack mounts.

I’ve tried to find cases but not much success so considering an open air idea.

Just a shelf with a motherboard tray and then possibly a rack mounted hard drive bay thing maybe 3D printed.

I don’t mind it getting dusty it’s a pretty clean area and rarely gets dusty.

Anything else I should consider?

I've got to say the innovations happening in this space are mind-blowing. It's not just about saving energy anymore, it's about how we can revolutionize technology while being kinder to the planet. From liquid cooling systems that reduce electricity usage to renewable energy-powered centers, the future looks promising. But here's the kicker these advancements aren't just good for the environment; they're also cutting costs and improving reliability. Imagine a world where our digital footprint isn't at odds with our ecological footprint.

I'm curious what are your thoughts on this? Are there any cool projects or technologies you've come across that are making waves? And how do you think we can push this agenda forward even more? Let's geek out together and discuss how we can make data centers not just more efficient, but also more sustainable. Let's hear your insights!

what should I ask the job recruiter in amazon web service engineering operation technician EOT?