S 1.52 Redundancies in the technical infrastructure

Initiation responsibility: Management

Implementation responsibility: Site planner

If there are any special requirements regarding the availability of a computer centre or server room, then redundancy should also be created in the area of the technical infrastructure.

For example, it is recommended retaining sufficient redundancy where air conditioning equipment is used, so that if six units of a particular component are needed, then seven should be purchased. By this means peak loads, e.g. during hot summers, can be catered for and even if one air conditioning unit fails or is being serviced, sufficient air conditioning capacity will still be available.

For communications links checks should also be carried out as to possible areas in which redundancy should exist (see also S 6.18 Provision of redundant lines). This is particularly important if any central network nodes or central active components are located in unmonitored areas.

In a computer centre the power supply should also be designed to provide redundancy. For recommendations in this area, see safeguard S 1.56 Secondary power supply.

If the secondary power supply is not located in an adjoining fire cut, consideration should be given to redundant cabling of the power supply.

Additional controls:

• Does the assessment of protection requirements suggest that there should be redundancy in the technical infrastructure?