Relocation of a data centre during ongoing operation
As part of the "Headquarters" project, MeteoSwiss relocated its site from Zurich to Operation Center 1 at Zurich Airport. Besides the new workplace infrastructure, the uninterrupted move of the entire IT infrastructure in particular was a central challenge.
The "Data Centre and LAN/WAN" subproject comprised the complete move of all central systems during ongoing operation. Numerous services had to remain available around the clock even during the migration.
The basis for the successful move was a precise inventory of the existing infrastructure. Together with MeteoSwiss, CND analysed all systems, connections, performance requirements as well as the need for power, cooling and rack space. On this basis, a detailed rack and infrastructure plan for the new data centre was created.
CND was responsible for the overall concept, the design as well as the detailed construction of the new environment, which was implemented as cold aisle containment. This required close coordination with rack and system manufacturers as well as targeted adjustments to the existing systems.
The actual move took place step by step using redundant system architectures. First, the infrastructure was built in parallel across both locations. Then the systems were physically relocated in several stages and each time reintegrated into the redundancy concept.
CND carried out all operational tasks itself: dismantling, cleaning, packaging, transport as well as installation, cabling and commissioning at the new location.
The move could be implemented without interruption of operations. In total, over 100 physical systems, around 200 logical servers as well as 449 applications and services were successfully migrated.
The services described here are part of our Data Center Services and IT Logistics Services for Public Sector and show how complex data centre moves can be implemented securely and in a structured way under productive conditions.
In the MeteoSwiss move, planning, engineering and implementation came from a single source. The infrastructure was not only designed but securely relocated under real conditions and kept in operation without interruption.
„With CND AG we had a professional partner in the area of data centre planning, construction and relocation, who actively participated in the project and was responsible for central areas. Thanks to the flexibility, even unforeseen situations could be clarified quickly and the schedule kept.“
Urs Zimmermann
Project Manager DC Move, MeteoSchweiz