Data Center Tier Standards

A breakdown of data center tier standards based on the Uptime Institute

Four Tiers for Data Center

Tier

1 2 3 4

A Basic Data Center

A Redundant Data Center A Concurrently Maintainable Data Center A Fault Tolerant Data Center

Tier

Tier

Tier

Tier 1- A Basic Data Center

Non-redundant

capacity w/ single distribution path Vulnerable to human and operational errors Requires annual maintenance to prevent serious operation failure Maintenance requires site wide shutdown

Tier 2- A Redundant Data Center

Redundant

capacity component w/ single distribution path Component can be removed without impacting computer equipment Vulnerable to human and operational errors Annual maintenance requires site wide shutdown

Tier 3 A Concurrently Maintainable Data Center

Redundant

capacity component w/ multiple, independent distribution path Component can be removed without impacting computer equipment Somewhat vulnerable to human and operational errors Annual maintenance can be completed while data center remains operational

Tier 4 A Fault Tolerant Data Center

Multiple,

independent, physically isolated capacity components and distribution paths Physically isolated system prevent massive infrastructure failure Component can be removed without impacting computer equipment

Tier 4 A Fault Tolerant Data Center (cont.)

System

Self Heals Automatically respond to prevent further site failure Not vulnerable to human and operational errors Annual maintenance can be completed while data center remains operational

Data Center Tier and Uptime

Tier

1 2 3 4

A tier 1 data center has 99.67% uptime

A tier 2 data center has 99.75% uptime A tier 3 data center has 99.98% uptime A tier 4 data center has 99.99% uptime

Tier

Tier

Tier

Which Tier is Right for You

If

your business needs for hosting are:

Short-term Cheap Fast Setup
Then

you should pick either a TIER 1 or TIER 2 Data Center

Which Tier is Right for You

If

your business needs for hosting are:

Long-term Dependable Uptime Fault Tolerant Hosting
Then

you should pick either a TIER 3 or TIER 4 Data Center

Thank You