Data Centers:
Princeton University
Challenge
The senior managers responsible for facilities and information technology at Princeton University support a broad range of administrative, departmental, and high-performance computing functions that help reinforce Princeton’s status as a world-class research institution. As the University’s data center began to approach capacity, studies indicated that increasing the capacity of the existing facility would be prohibitive due to a number of factors, including configuration limitations, access to utilities, and cost. CS Technology was engaged to develop a strategy that would provide a framework to support future growth at an affordable cost.
Solution
After conducting a detailed analysis of the University’s future computing needs, CST examined the data center resiliency requirements associated with various compute loads processed via the data center. CST then developed schematic designs for several alternatives that would support the University’s computing needs over a 15-year timeframe, along with projections for the capital expenditures, operating expenses, and energy footprint associated with those various scenarios.
Result
Upon completion of the due diligence phase, CST worked with University administrators to build the business case for designing, funding, and building a new High-Performance Computing Research Center (HPCRC). Subsequently, CST was engaged to provide owner representative/project management (OR/PM) services to the University for the duration of the project. In that capacity, CST is functioning to support Princeton’s internal team in matters related to the project management, budget management, scheduling, design, construction, and commissioning of the new data center facility.