Data Center Relocation and Professional Mover Checklists

Updated for 2022:

Exponential data growth is a critical challenge for the IT industry. Every day, organizations face the daunting task of migrating or relocating their data centers. Companies might need to plan for a data center relocation because of potential cost savings, the need for more physical space, and security/compliance issues. Whatever the reasons, data center relocation is a high-risk operation and a big effort to tackle.

Data center relocations and migrations are inevitable. Modern data centers typically move three to five times, with 53% of companies expecting to move within the next few years, according to senior project manager Shawn Simon of 国家计算机仓库服务有限公司 （NCWS）。

据西蒙说，最常见的数据中心搬迁涉及两种类型的工人：

1. 1. 1. 1. In-House Staff. In-house staff may move servers daily, but they are often not prepared for the difficult and fast nature of a massive server deployment during a data center migration or relocation. They should prepare for it in conjunction with professional movers and stay involved in the planning process.
         2. Professional Data Center Movers – Professional movers take care of the physical move, including handling servers that have been packed and prepared as freight, and all of the big items such as cabinets and furniture. It’s best to partner with an experienced company that has extensive knowledge of the intricacies involved in a data center move.

Involving in-house staff, including management, financial decision-makers, and facilities maintenance, can help avoid surprises and gain company-wide buy-in. Early in the process, establish and practice coordinating efforts between in-house staff and professional movers.

How To Choose A Professional Data Center Moving Team

Hiring professional movers for data center migrations isn’t like hiring residential or warehouse movers. Though you may come across some warehouse moving teams that claim they can help with data center relocations and migrations, contracting with a company that doesn’t specialize in moving servers and other sensitive IT equipment may not result in a good experience. 

One reason is because general movers don’t know how to safely disconnect and reconnect your servers and other devices. Another reason is that their moving equipment—usually warehouse lifts and hand carts—is not designed to move your sensitive, expensive hardware. 

To ensure the process of moving to a new data center is smooth and painless, you can use the following checklist to help you evaluate whether a potential moving company will adequately meet your needs. 

Once you’ve found a data center moving company you’re comfortable with, it’s time to dig into the details.

While all data center migration projects require some custom decisions based on the needs of your company, there are standard best practices that will make migration or relocation easier. This checklist includes important aspects that should be considered before the move:

Checklist For Data Center Moves

1. Project Planning

• For large moves, choose an experienced, certified, and insured moving company with data center experience.

• 在数据中心移动人员和内部人员之间建立并练习协调。

• 制定预算和数据中心搬迁蓝图，包括：
  
  • 计划时间和精力
  • 新设施的购置，评估和装修成本
    
  • 额外人员
  • 随着时间的推移
  • 搬迁公司费用
  • 风险识别
  • 应急计划
  • 可能的服务器更换或多样化
  • 散热要求
  • 基础架构的获取和修改
  • 接线/电缆

• 安排所有部署和重新安装事件

• 验证所有硬件和虚拟系统元素的清单，注意：

  • 设备状况
  • 尺寸
  • 重量
  • 序列号

• 查看并更新整个系统图

2. Pre-Deployment Documentation, Warranty, and Insurance Coverage

• 查看设备制造商的保修

  • 目前的覆盖范围
  • 可能影响服务器安装或拆卸的限制

• 验证和审查内部保险政策

• 验证并了解搬家者的保险条款和条件

3. Pre-Server Deployment

• 准备目标服务器区域

  • 网络连接

    • Internet connectivity
    • 布局/服务器机房图
    • 网络布线
    • 能源管理
    • 机架放置
    • 虚拟专用网
    • 域名解析
  • Prepare in-house deployment staff

    • 安全程序培训
    • 服务器部署协议的培训课程/演练，包括：

      • 标签和包装设备
      • 电缆线
      • 滑轨
    • 将经验丰富的合作伙伴与初学者配对
    • 提醒员工有关服务器数据中心电梯的可用性和重要性：
      
      • 安装/拆卸
      • 运输
      • 定位
    • 配备计划时间表和服务器机房图的手臂负责人
    • 向员工和客户建议即将发生的系统停机
    • 安排项目经理从开始到签到现场工作

4. Preparing In-House Hardware and Software

• 查看和更新每个机架的图和列表

  • 验证柜内物理可用性
  • 验证安全存储的备份副本
• Verify complete virtual assets backup

• 确定并计划要在迁移期间执行的升级

• 清点所有硬件和虚拟系统元素

• 识别并去除不必要的废弃电缆

• 验证撞击，潮湿和其他抗灾包装材料的可用性

5. Execution of Server Deployment

• 更换机柜时镜像功率要求

• 根据已建立的协议关闭服务器，存储和网络设备

• 在重新装载机架之前，检查，清洁，维修和重新盘点所有物品

• Ensure project manager sign-off on hardware list and scheduled tests once all items are deployed and inventoried

Planning and Finding the Best Professional Movers Will Pay Off

Fortunately, while the actual move is fast-paced, it is also short-lived. Most of the effort lies in effective planning. Help yourself and your coworkers avoid as much stress as possible by investing time and effort in collaborative planning.

Skillful coordination and cross-device collaboration will minimize potential difficulties that could arise. Utilizing a specialized consultant or migration coordinator for the project can help your team avoid common pitfalls.

You should also keep 安全 at the forefront during the entire moving process. A safe move is a smooth move, which, in turn, reduces the risk of downtime, injury, or damaged equipment. And starting early will give you the time to make sure every step is executed flawlessly.