The 8 Steps to Successful Data Center Decommissioning

 What are the requirements for successfully decommissioning a data center or relocating a data center? You may be overwhelmed by all of the logistics and planning involved in decommissioning a large data center.

Bay Tech Recovery wants to make this process as simple as possible for you. Because of this, we created this guide to the most important components of an effective data center decommissioning plan. Among the many questions you may have about decommissioning are:

What's the best way to decommission a data center?

During the decommissioning process, how can I minimize negative impacts to my business?

During a data center decommission, how can I stay on-schedule and under budget?

Which ITAD company should I choose?

Find out in our guide to data center decommissioning.

Checklist for decommissioning data centers and servers

Are you ready to start decommissioning your data center? Check out our checklist of the 8 most important steps for any successful decommissioning or data center relocation project. Use this checklist to ensure data center decommissioning is on-schedule, secure asset recovery is done, and more for your project.

 

1. Set a project scope for your project:

A successful data center decommissioning or data center relocation begins with a basic assessment of the overall scope of the project. The three most important questions to ask and answer are:

What are the project's objectives?

When should the project be completed?

How much will the project cost?

When you first begin your data center decommissioning plan, you may not have an answer to one or more of these questions. Although, it's best to lock down as much of this information as possible to make sure your project has a clear direction, focus, and timeline to prevent delays that may lead to wasted time and extra costs.

In addition, you may want to assign a project manager to oversee the decommissioning of your data center. In addition to working with a decommissioning partner like Bay Tech Recovery, you'll want a single point of contact for all communication and other tasks associated with the project.

 

2. Develop a detailed checklist for the data center:

When you have identified the general parameters of your project, it's time to get into more detail. Identifying and listing every hardware or software asset that will be decommissioned is the most important part of this phase. A comprehensive list of everything that needs to be considered for your data center decommissioning project should be included here.

Companies often begin by identifying outdated, ineffective, or obsolete hardware and software over their networks, using network discovery tools. However, the process ought not to end there. Your network discovery results should be matched with a physical assessment and review, identifying in-person decommissioning requirements for hardware. Before moving to the next stage of your server decommission checklist, you may want to compare your results with any existing configuration management databases.

Prepare a comprehensive inventory list of everything that will be decommissioned based on your network discovery and physical review. The same goes for servers, hard drives, and networking hardware. This applies to software licenses, keyboards, peripherals, power equipment, storage racks, cabinets, HVAC equipment, and anything else that will be decommissioned.

The following Tips will help you create a data center checklist:

 

·       Decommissioning equipment may require software licenses. Be sure to secure and retain these licenses.

·       Identify the actual locations of items set for decommissioning by creating a map or list.

·       Sort the items according to whether they will be resold, remarketed, or recycled.

 

3. Create a plan of action:

Getting started on the decommissioning of your data center should now be your priority. Determining the members of the decommissioning team is the first step. Next, determine their specific roles, responsibilities, and responsibilities. You will have less confusion or wasted time and work hours during decommissioning if you specify roles and responsibilities more explicitly and clearly.

 

A timeline should also be finalized during this phase. Approximately when will you begin decommissioning and when will it be completed? Set a 'best case scenario' date and a 'worst case scenario' date, which would be the latest date your project could be completed before it begins negatively impacting your business.

 

Tips for Scheduling Your Decommissioning Project

 

·       What will be the impact on peak operating hours? Would it be possible for you to schedule the project so that the impact is minimal?

·       Do you need to send out alerts in advance about service interruptions?

·       In addition to scheduling your project, you should create any necessary backup systems and policies in order to prevent losing critical data.

·       If you are considering decommissioning any data centers, you may also want to consider using a data center decommissioning service provider, such as Bay Tech Recovery, to ensure your project is as successful, low-cost, and smooth as possible.

4. Identify and obtain the necessary tools:

It's now time to determine which tools, machinery, and equipment you'll need for decommissioning or moving your data center in-house. This type of tool can cover a wide range of types depending on the type, size, scope, and scope of the facility being decommissioned. Examples include:

 

Forklift

Elevator

Shredding machines

Magnetos

Containers

Foam for packaging

Toolkits.

Printing

Packaging

Crating

Vehicle transportation

If you are planning on hiring outside help to assist with manual labor on the project, you will need to ensure that they have been properly vetted, including background checks, security authorizations, and other approvals. If you want to save time and effort, work with a data center decommissioning and relocation company such as Bay Tech Recovery.

5. Relocate or remove equipment:

If you intend to sanitize data on site first or remove equipment to sanitize at a secondary location, the following steps may occur in reverse order. Before you begin the project, there are a few final steps you'll want to take before decommissioning. Make sure that all of your plans are still on track, and finalize any details you have been waiting to finalize. To avoid unnecessary delays, ensure that any steps of the decommissioning process that require authorization are done ahead of time.

Disconnect all equipment on your checklist in the order you've set during decommissioning and follow the process you've outlined earlier in the planning process. Take some time to identify if any unexpected issues have resulted from disconnections from servers. Make sure that all assets are clearly identified for the next stages by labeling or tagging them.

 

6. Sanitize and wipe all data:

You must wipe, destroy, or sanitize all relevant equipment and software prior to completion of your decommissioning project. The decommissioning or relocation of a data center can be completed while the old equipment is still on site, or after it has been transported offsite for sanitization. Whether or not you plan to reuse, recycle, or resell the equipment after it is decommissioned will depend on your project.

 

7. Decommissioning Cleanup and Administration:

Despite having successfully decommissioned your equipment and software, your project is not yet complete. Depending on what you have planned for the equipment you have decommissioned, the next step will differ. Ensure that all equipment is properly disposed of, transported, and stored using the right packing materials and storage facilities for the job at hand.

Decommissioned equipment may be repurposed elsewhere in your organization. You should ensure that you have a clear communication protocol in place and a proper handoff protocol in place in these situations. Recycling equipment Be sure to properly label and safely package all equipment that will be transported or shipped for recycling or refurbishment.

Data Storage Equipment to be Destroyed Some of the more sensitive data storage equipment will need to be physically destroyed using a shredder or other machine. You should plan ahead for the rental or purchase of these devices, and also have a plan for what to do with the equipment after it is destroyed.

 

For decommissioned equipment that will be resold, you'll need an adequate storage facility where you can store it safely until the sale is complete. Additionally, you may want to double and triple check that all data has been securely erased before the equipment is sold, as well as perform any necessary maintenance or repairs so the equipment is in working order.

 

8. Choose the Right Data Center Decommissioning Services Provider:

You should consider partnering with a data center decommissioning service provider if you wish to have a truly successful data center decommissioning project. A reputable ITAD (information technology asset disposition) company will have the skills, resources, equipment, and teams you need for your decommissioning project to be as quick, low-cost, and secure as possible. You need a partner who will cater to the unique needs of your project when you're dealing with highly secure data and sensitive equipment disposal.

Are you curious about why Bay Tech Recovery is one of the most trusted data center decommissioning companies in the industry? Feel free to contact us!