Monday, December 30, 2013

Invitation to Data Center Technical Visit + CPD course in Critical Facilities Design

2-day CPD course in Data Center Facilities Design
and Infrastructure Engineering (20 - 21 February 2014)

(HKIE CPD Course Code: CPD0227)

The 2-day CPD course is designed for Building Services Engineers, Facilities / Data Center Managers, IT Management, etc. to enrich and update the knowledge in critical facilities and data centers design & build.

Topics include:

- IT strategy
- Cabinet layout
- Raised floor system
- Data center network and structure
- Telecommunication backbones, redundancy, sizing and planning
- Fiber and optical system design
- Fiber and optical cable components
- Copper cabling components
- Copper system design and high speed ethernet
- Cable distribution, layout and management
- Earthing / grounding and bounding
- Power (1) – high / low voltage system, switch system, etc.
- Power (2) – UPS, transformers, fuel tanks, generators, etc.
- Cooling (1) – cooling topology, hot / cold aisle, etc.
- Cooling (2) – chiller, CRAC, cooling towers, etc.
- Environmental management system
- Physical security
- Fire protection system


Date: 20 - 21 February 2014 (Thursday - Friday)
Time: 10:00 – 18:00 (14 Hours)
Venue: 20/F, New Victory House, 93 - 103 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Fee: Special rate for HKIE's all membership classes


For detail and syllabus, please refer to the CPD Course Calendar of Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, HKIE (http://www.hkie.org.hk/eng/html/cpd/cpdviewer.asp?sn=2936) or contact (852) 2117 3893.

Kindly complete and return an Application Form together with a crossed cheque made payable to “Strategic Media Asia Limited” - Room 1605, 16/F, Causeway Bay Plaza 1, 489 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.






Half Day Technical Visit to Data Center in Tseung Kwan O
TELEHOUSE HONG KONG CCC

Sponsored by KDDI Hong Kong Limited (www.kddi.com.hk)


Further to the HKIE CPD Course, the half-day technical visit targets to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure / E&M facilities:


Date: 12 February 2014 (Wednesday)
Time: 13:45 - 17:15
Meeting Point: Exit D, Kowloon Tong MTR Station (Please refer to a rundown attached)

Fee: HK$100, Round-trip transportation will be provided
(Waiver for the CPD course's participants)


Remark:

Business Card and HKID Card are required for the on-site registration. KDDI Hong Kong reserve the right to refuse any unexpected registration for the Technical Visit. In case of disputes, the ultimate decision will be reserved by KDDI Hong Kong.


TELEHOUSE HONG KONG CCC


TELEHOUSE HONG KONG CCC (Telehouse Hong Kong Cloud Computing Complex) is one of the largest (360,000 sq.ft) and most technologically advanced carrier neutral data center facilities in Hong Kong and in the Asia Pacific Region.

Operated by KDDI Corporation, TELEHOUSE HONG KONG CCC is a Tier 3+ purpose-built data center facility that is strategically located in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong. With virtually no risk of natural disasters in the vicinity, TELEHOUSE HONG KONG CCC is ideal for securing mission-critical business systems.



About The Blogger


Strategic Media Asia (SMA, www.stmedia-asia.com) is a leading technical training and event organizer for corporations specialized in data center design & build, E&M facilities, telecom, ICT, finance and colocation. Currently, SMA delivers a series of data center trainings and qualification programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

All these events / training seminars are designed to support the leadership needs of senior executives (Chief Information Officers, IT Directors / Managers, Facilities Managers, company decision makers, etc.) and to provide useful and applicable knowledge.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Merry Christmas and Happy Year 2014

Season's Greetings - Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year of 2014 from Strategic Media Asia Limited (SMA)




Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Data Center Cable Management (2)

Peek into the data center, and you might spot server racks sporting snarled messes of spaghetti cabling instead of neatly tied bundles. Several strategies can help to consolidate and better manage computer cabling in the data center.




Implement a converged networking architecture

With the increased density of servers, storage and networking devices, cabling needs also increase. Blade server systems converge IO and networking to connect servers; storage; networks; and keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) systems. Using converged networking adapters (CNA) or mezzanine cards in blade systems enables the same adapter to be used for both storage and general network activity. Converged adapters simplify connectivity and improve flexibility in how CNAs will be deployed going forward.

Network devices such as switches are often added to server and storage cabinets. For example, a top-of-rack, bottom-of-rack or embedded switch aggregates the network and I/O connections within a server cabinet to simplify connectivity to an end-of-row or group of switches. Low-performing servers or storage can use low-cost, low-performance network interfaces to connect to a local switch, while a high-speed uplink connects to a core switch.


Deploy cable management technologies and best practices

Do you know which cable goes where and what it connects to? Can you easily identify different types of networks by looking at the cable or identifier tags? Are power and network cables clearly identified? If not, your organization needs some form of a cable management system.

Cable management systems, including patch panels, trunk and fan-in, fan-out cabling for overhead and under-floor applications, are useful for organizing cabling. Cable management tools include diagnostics to verify signal quality and dB loss for optical cabling, cleaning and repair for connectors, as well as asset management and tracking systems.

For a relatively low-tech option, label cable endpoints to track what the cable is being used for. Solutions can be as simple as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or as sophisticated as a configuration management database with intelligent fiber-optic management systems. An intelligent fiber system includes mechanisms attached to the cabling to facilitate tracking and identify cabling.


Verify airflow in and around cabling

While not typically considered green IT, cabling can impact airflow and, in turn, data center cooling costs. A well-designed cable conveyance system enables easy access for maintenance while allowing cool air to efficiently circulate where needed. Improved airflow means air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard, which reduces power consumption and energy costs.



Deploy Cat 5 for KVM needs

Simplify support for KVM devices by seeking solutions that leverage Category 5 cabling to let Ethernet wiring do double duty. If network consolidation leaves your organization with unneeded Cat 5 cabling, repurpose it to support KVM needs.


Don’t create problems by cost-cutting

In the quest to reduce costs, there can be a temptation to cut corners with lower quality cable and connectors. This can cause problems. For example, consolidating too much onto a single resource or cable can create a single point of failure. Invest in quality cabling to reduce total cost of ownership.Without cable and associated management, servers, storage and network devices aren’t able to communicate with each other, access the power they need or be monitored. Proper cable management can help maximize the return on your investment in technology.


About The Blogger

Strategic Media Asia (SMA, www.stmedia-asia.com) is a leading technical training and event organizer for corporations specialized in data center design & build, E&M facilities, telecom, ICT, finance and colocation. Currently, SMA delivers a series of data center trainings and qualification programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

All these events / training seminars are designed to support the leadership needs of senior executives (Chief Information Officers, IT Directors / Managers, Facilities Managers, company decision makers, etc.) and to provide useful and applicable knowledge.

For detail, please visit our data center courses & training seminars at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.


Data Center Cable Management (1)

Data centers represent some of the most demanding performance technology in the communications infrastructure market. Choosing the right cabling and cable management system is one of the most important aspects of data center design. Reliability, in combination with extreme density, should guide your choice of products. Data center longevity is also a consideration, especially when it comes time to upgrade to 40G and 100G Ethernet.




Tight Buffer Cable

Cabling infrastructure is the backbone of your data center. The rugged characteristics of tight buffer cabling reduce risk of downtime caused by cable failure. With increasing density and the subsequent increased risk of strain on your cabling system, reliability is essential when evaluating cabling needs.

Fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference and is specially designed for higher bandwidths (data rates) than other types of cables. As fiber becomes the prominent transport medium in the data center, it’s important to research and select the latest in data center products and technologies. Choose companies with experience in developing and supplying cable products perfected for the most critical communications applications.


Preterminated Fiber and Copper Cabling Systems

The sheer number of connections in the data center has increased dramatically and will continue to do so with the advent of the 40G and 100Gbit/s Ethernet standards. These new standards require increased fiber counts for a single data connection beyond the conventional duplex configuration. Look for the highest density of connectivity. Preterminated copper and fiber cables are the preferred choice for several reasons.

First, the operator is less of a factor in the termination process required for either fiber optic or copper cables since no special skill set is required for termination or testing of preterminated cables. This also eliminates the concern of alien crosstalk testing on the copper side. No external contractors are needed, saving your company both time and money.

Secondly, preterminated cables eliminate excess loops, as they are cut to specified lengths. Preterminated copper or fiber optic cables can be customized to your specific needs for easy, perfectly cabled installation, eliminating the problem of excessive slack storage.






10G Copper Cat6A PoE Ready Preterminated Cabling System

If your data center supports PoE enabled devices, such as cameras for surveillance and security or IP telephony, then copper cabling may be an appropriate choice for your facility. Choose products that allow you to build a foundation that will support both high-speed data and provide device power simultaneously. Preterminated Cat6A panels and cabling systems offer the foundation you are looking for to support current and future PoE devices.


Integrated Cable Management

Cable management is the key for accessibility and a clean visual appearance of any data center. In recent years, this has become even more pressing as the value of rack space has driven densities for both copper and fiber applications.

Combined with the high data counts for the 40G and 100GBit/s Ethernet standards, cable management has seen an unprecedented level of interest to accommodate the densities of today and anticipated densities of tomorrow. Ideally, choose products that ensure accessibility of all ports, have horizontal and vertical management mechanisms on the front of the panel, and smooth coupling mechanisms between the cassettes and the panel chassis.




Upgradability

A solid technical roadmap is key to installing infrastructure that is suitable for your current needs, as well as accommodating both anticipated and unanticipated needs for the future. Spend some time now researching the marketplace and choose products designed specifically with this in mind.

Choose fiber cassettes that are upgradable from 10G Ethernet to either 40G or 100G, and panels suitable for all technologies. Preterminated trunk cables used for 10G today can be leveraged into 40 or 100G tomorrow, simply by installing the respective new technology cassettes that suit your bandwidth needs.


About The Blogger


Strategic Media Asia (SMA, www.stmedia-asia.com) is a leading technical training and event organizer for corporations specialized in data center design & build, E&M facilities, telecom, ICT, finance and colocation. Currently, SMA delivers a series of data center trainings and qualification programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

All these events / training seminars are designed to support the leadership needs of senior executives (Chief Information Officers, IT Directors / Managers, Facilities Managers, company decision makers, etc.) and to provide useful and applicable knowledge.

For detail, please visit our data center courses & training seminars at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.




Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Certified Data Center Design Professional (CDCDP)

You are cordially invited to join the credential program organised by CNet Training, UK


CDCDP, Certified Data Center Design Professional, combines with 3-day Core Unit and 4-day Advanced Unit delivered by experienced instructors from CNet Training. It targets to electrical & mechanical engineers, facilities / data center managers, data center operators, system analyst, IT management, etc. who are responsible for critical infrastructure and facilities.


The 3-day Core Unit of CDCDP covers key theories for data center design and international standards, whereas the 4-day Advanced Unit of CDCDP combines with four modules - Data Center Efficiency, Cooling, Design Management and Power - more focused on the best way to implement the design processes.


Completion of the two units and examinations will receive a Level 5 accreditation (Certified Data Center Management Design Professional, CDCMDP) granted by (BTEC) Edexcel, a Pearson group. All units are conducted in English by instructors from CNet Training, UK.


Kindly visit the local site of CDCDP at www.stmedia-asia.com/cdcdp or download a detailed program brochure HERE. You can also visit the official site at CNet Training (www.cnet-training.com/regions/asia-pacific).






About The Blogger

Strategic Media Asia (SMA, www.stmedia-asia.com) is a leading technical training and event organizer for corporations specialized in data center design & build, E&M facilities, telecom, ICT, finance and co-location services. Based in Hong Kong, SMA currently delivers a series of data center training courses and credential programs in South China regions.

SMA is an authorized regional agent of CNet Training in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and South China.

For detail, please visit our data center courses & training seminars at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.



Monday, December 2, 2013

Strategic Media Asia becomes a CPD Course Provider of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE)

We are pleased to announce that Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) becomes one of the CPD Course Providers of Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) during 20 - 21 February 2014:


Data Center Facilities Design and Infrastructure Engineering


Further to the professional members of IDC industry and the management of critical infrastructure, the course is also designed to suit CPD needs of Scheme A trainees and Corporate Members of HKIE.

SMA, a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, will continue to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.

For more information of the training programs and industry events, please visit HERE.