Demystifying Greenfield Data Centers This International Data Center Day

Buoyed by India’s unquenchable thirst for data consumption propelled by rapidly falling smartphone and internet prices, there has been an unprecedented demand for OTT video streaming, online gaming, and digital commerce services in the last few years.

The proliferation of IoT and 5G devices has further fuelled the demand for data consumption, with CRISIL estimating the 5G user base in India to reach over 300 million by 2025. Naturally, this implosion in data consumption has made Data Centers more important than ever for continuing the success of India’s growth story. As per a report by JLL, Data Centers in India are expected to add 681 MW capacity by end of 2024 needing 7.8 million sq. ft of real estate space.

However, building a Data Center is easier said than done. Data Centers are primarily categorised in two broad types - Greenfield and Brownfield Data Centers.

While a Greenfield Data Center is a completely new Data Center constructed from the ground up, a Brownfield Data Center is an existing Data center that is retrofitted or upgraded to meet new IT requirements.

Let’s deep-dive more into this and look at the step-by-step process to build a Greenfield Data Center.

Greenfield vs. Brownfield Data Centers

The most importance difference between a Greenfield and Brownfield Data Center is in the approach to building it. As mentioned earlier, a Greenfield Data Center is constructed from scratch, more often than not on an empty plot of land and is built to meet the specific requirements of the organisation. With this approach, organisations can design and customise their Data Center to their exact needs and specifications.

On the other hand, a Brownfield Data Center is an existing facility that is upgraded to meet the evolving Data Center requirements. While this approach is often more cost-effective, faster, and relatively easier to deploy, it comes with its own set of limitations like space, design, and IT infrastructure constraints.

Building A Greenfield Data Center: A Step-by-step Guide

Once the requirements are well-defined, the next step is to select a suitable site for the Data Center. Since Data Center designs are complex, the location should be carefully considered taking into account a diverse range of factors like accessibility, network connectivity, power and water availability, and more importantly environmental factors such as flood plains, seismic zones, etc. which are critical to the uninterrupted functioning of Data Centers.

The design and planning phase is critical to the success of building a Greenfield Data Center. Not only should the Data Center designed to meet the specific requirements of the organisation, but also incorporate best practices for sustainability.Factors such as the power and cooling infrastructure, security, fire mitigation mechanisms, equipment layout, etc. should be firmly incorporated while designing a Greenfield Data Center.

The phase involves the actual construction of the Data Center and includes the physical installation of power and cooling systems, IT equipment, security systems, etc. To ensure that the construction is of the highest quality and meets all regulatory mandates laid down by the local authorities, it is pivotal to work with contractors and vendors who have possess a strong experience of building Data Centers from the ground up.

Once the physical construction of the Data Center is complete, it should be meticulously tested and commissioned before it is put into operation. This involves testing each and every equipment, systems, and processes to ensure that they are working optimally and that the Data Center meets all performance and efficiency requirements.

• Step 1: Defining The Exact Requirements:The first step in building a Greenfield Data Center is to define the exact purpose and requirements of the facility, including identifying the capacity, scalability, availability, security, and energy efficiency needs of the organisation. This information is pivotal to the design and construction of the Data Center and to ensure that it meets the exact needs of the organisation.
• Step 2: Site Selection:Once the requirements are well-defined, the next step is to select a suitable site for the Data Center. Since Data Center designs are complex, the location should be carefully considered taking into account a diverse range of factors like accessibility, network connectivity, power and water availability, and more importantly environmental factors such as flood plains, seismic zones, etc. which are critical to the uninterrupted functioning of Data Centers.
• Step 3: Design and Planning:The design and planning phase is critical to the success of building a Greenfield Data Center. Not only should the Data Center designed to meet the specific requirements of the organisation, but also incorporate best practices for sustainability. Factors such as the power and cooling infrastructure, security, fire mitigation mechanisms, equipment layout, etc. should be firmly incorporated while designing a Greenfield Data Center.
• Step 4: Construction:The phase involves the actual construction of the Data Center and includes the physical installation of power and cooling systems, IT equipment, security systems, etc. To ensure that the construction is of the highest quality and meets all regulatory mandates laid down by the local authorities, it is pivotal to work with contractors and vendors who have possess a strong experience of building Data Centers from the ground up.
• Step 5: Testing and Commissioning:Once the physical construction of the Data Center is complete, it should be meticulously tested and commissioned before it is put into operation. This involves testing each and every equipment, systems, and processes to ensure that they are working optimally and that the Data Center meets all performance and efficiency requirements.

Web Werks – IMDC’s Greenfield Data Centers

As the leading Data Center services provider in India, Web Werks – Iron Mountain Data Centers (IMDC) operate multiple state-of-the-art Tier III Data Centers in India.

The latest addition to this ever-growing ‘String of Digital Pearls’ is Web Werks – IMDC’s MUM-2 Data Center that was constructed in a record time of just 18 months!

Strategically located in Navi Mumbai, the 10.5 MW MUM-2 Data Center is spread across 82,000 sq. ft. and offers Indian enterprises the densest Interconnection ecosystem in APAC comprising of 200+ Internet Service Providers (ISPs), all major Carriers, 4 Internet Exchanges (IXs), Hyperscale Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).

Here is a quick look at the launch of the MUM-2 Data Center:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=hDpC3wkze3Y&t=4s

To learn more about how our Greenfield Data Centers can help your organisation accelerate its digital transformation, please visit https://www.webwerks.in or get in touch with us at +91 8828 335 555.