Data centers site selection mathematical model - may 2012

Ashok Bhatla

May 2012

With the advent of Cloud Computing and Big Data, Data center investments are a major decision for any medium to large enterprise.

Companies are also faced with the challenge of different Hosting Models like Co location, Managed hosting, Outsourcing etc.

There is a lack of mathematical decision models which help management to make informed decisions.

Setup a modern energy efficient data center with minimum cost, high computing power, at a desired location with low chances of natural disasters – providing best value to the business it serves.

Develop a Decision Model for data center site selection for companies settings up their own dedicated data centers.

Decision Model can also be used for companies consolidating their data centers.

Define Overall Key Decisions

Select Different Criteria and Factors

Select Different Alternatives

Gather Expert Opinion for Criteria & Factors

Measure and Identify Relative weights

Calculate Impact of criteria on overall

decisions

Conclude the best possible site for an IT

Data Center

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Exper t 1: IT Data Center Manager – responsible for operations of Data Center.

Exper t 2: Facilities Planner – responsible for design and construction of buildings

Exper t 3: IT Systems Engineer – responsible for IT systems like routers, switches and servers.

Exper t 4: Finance Analyst – responsible for the NPV and ROI Analysis and Budgeting etc.

Exper t 5: Electrical Engineer – responsible for Cooling and Power Issues in a Data Center

  % of Criteria 1

% of Criteria 2

Pairwise comparison of Criteria's

C1: Geographical Factors     C2: Financial Factors

C1: Geographical Factors     C3: Political Factors

C1: Geographical Factors     C4: Social Factors

C2: Financial Factors     C3: Political Factors

C2: Financial Factors     C4: Social Factors

C3: Political Factors     C4: Social Factors

% of Factor 1

% of Factor 2

Pairwise Comparison of Geographical Criteria Factors (F11-F15)

F11: Disaster Avoidance     F12: Transport Availability/ Accessibility

F11: Disaster Avoidance     F13: TelecomNetwork Availability

F11: Disaster Avoidance     F14: Power Availability

F11: Disaster Avoidance     F15: Water Availability

F12: Transport Availability/ Accessibility     F13: TelecomNetwork Availability

F12: Transport Availability/ Accessibility     F14: Power Availability

F12: Transport Availability/ Accessibility     F15: Water Availability

F13: Telecom Network Availability     F14: Power Availability

F13: Telecom Network Availability     F15: Water Availability

F14: Power Availability     F15: Water Availability

Criterion Factors Desirability Values (0-100)

  Site A Site B Site C Site D

C1: Geographical Factors

  F11: Disaster Avoidance        

F12: Transport Availability/ Accessibility        

F13: Telecom Network Availability        

F14: Power Availability        

F15: Water Availability        

C2: Financial Factors

  F21: Land Cost        

F22: Building Construction Cost        

F23: Variable Costs – electricity cost, property tax        

C3: Political Factors

  F31: Tax Structure, Incentives and Subsidies        

F32: Jobs Creation        

C4: Social Factors

  F41: Safety & Security, Crime        

F42: Laws related to Urban Planning