How to Use This Assessment

Score your data center on a 1–5 scale for each dimension using the rubrics below. A score of 1 indicates critical gaps; 5 indicates full compliance with Tier III/IV standards. Sum scores for a total out of 35.

Complete this assessment with input from facilities engineering, IT operations, and security teams. Single-perspective assessments consistently miss gaps in areas outside the respondent's expertise.

Dimension 1: Power Redundancy

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Single path: Single utility feed, single UPS, single distribution path. Any component failure causes downtime.
• 2 — Basic redundancy: Redundant UPS modules (N+1) but single distribution path. Maintenance requires downtime.
• 3 — Concurrent maintainability: Dual distribution paths (A and B), N+1 UPS, dual-corded IT equipment. Maintenance without downtime. Tier III equivalent.
• 4 — Enhanced: Tier III with additional redundancy (2N UPS, multiple generators). Approaching Tier IV.
• 5 — Fault tolerant: 2N power architecture, multiple active paths, any single failure cannot affect IT operations. Tier IV equivalent.

Key Questions

• How many utility feeds does the facility have? Are they from diverse substations?
• What is the UPS redundancy level (N+1, 2N)?
• Does the facility have dual distribution paths (A and B)?
• Is all IT equipment dual-corded?
• What is the generator redundancy level?
• When was the last full-load generator test?

Common Gaps

Most enterprise data centers score 2–3 on power redundancy. Common gaps: single utility feed (remediation: negotiate second utility feed or install static transfer switch), single distribution path (remediation: add B-side distribution), and single-corded IT equipment (remediation: replace with dual-corded equipment or add PDU-level redundancy).

Dimension 2: Cooling Capacity

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Insufficient: Cooling capacity insufficient for current IT load. Hot spots present. No containment.
• 2 — Marginal: Cooling adequate for current load but no headroom for growth. No containment.
• 3 — Adequate: Cooling capacity with N+1 redundancy. Hot/cold aisle containment implemented. 20–30% headroom.
• 4 — Advanced: High-density cooling capability (20+ kW per rack). Liquid cooling available for dense zones. Comprehensive monitoring.
• 5 — AI-ready: Direct liquid cooling infrastructure. Supports 40+ kW per rack. Redundant cooling with automatic failover.

Key Questions

• What is the maximum kW per rack the facility can support?
• Is hot/cold aisle containment implemented?
• What is the cooling redundancy level?
• Is liquid cooling available for high-density deployments?
• What is the current cooling utilization rate?

Dimension 3: Physical Security

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Basic: Locked door with key access. No access logging. No CCTV.
• 2 — Developing: Badge access with basic logging. Some CCTV coverage. No mantrap.
• 3 — Standard: Badge access with full logging. CCTV coverage of all aisles. Visitor management. Mantrap entry.
• 4 — Advanced: Multi-factor authentication (badge + PIN or biometric). Full CCTV with 90-day retention. Security monitoring. Perimeter security.
• 5 — Tier IV equivalent: Biometric authentication. 24/7 security monitoring. Vehicle barriers. Comprehensive audit trails. Regular security assessments.

Dimension 4: Network Infrastructure

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Single path: Single carrier, single fiber entry point. Any network failure causes complete connectivity loss.
• 2 — Basic redundancy: Multiple carriers but single fiber entry point. Diverse carrier paths within the building.
• 3 — Diverse: Multiple carriers with diverse fiber entry points. Redundant core switching. Documented network topology.
• 4 — Advanced: Spine-leaf architecture. Multiple diverse fiber entries. Automated failover. Comprehensive monitoring.
• 5 — AI-ready: High-speed interconnect (InfiniBand or 400GbE) for AI workloads. Full redundancy with sub-second failover. Comprehensive network monitoring and management.

Dimension 5: Operations Maturity

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Ad hoc: No documented procedures. Changes made without formal process. No preventive maintenance program. Reactive operations.
• 2 — Basic: Some documented procedures. Informal change management. Basic preventive maintenance. Limited monitoring.
• 3 — Defined: Documented procedures for critical operations. Formal change management process. Preventive maintenance program. DCIM or equivalent monitoring.
• 4 — Managed: Comprehensive procedures. Rigorous change management with approval workflow. Full preventive maintenance program. Proactive monitoring with alerting.
• 5 — Optimizing: Continuously improved procedures. Automated change management. Predictive maintenance. Advanced analytics. Regular tabletop exercises.

Key Questions

• Are operating procedures documented for all critical systems?
• Is there a formal change management process with approval workflow?
• Is there a preventive maintenance program with documented schedules?
• Are incident response procedures documented and practiced?
• Is there 24/7 monitoring with alerting for critical systems?

Dimension 6: Documentation

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Undocumented: No current documentation. Single-line diagrams missing or outdated. No equipment inventory.
• 2 — Partial: Some documentation exists but is incomplete or outdated. Key systems undocumented.
• 3 — Adequate: Current single-line electrical diagrams. Mechanical system drawings. Equipment inventory. Operating procedures for critical systems.
• 4 — Comprehensive: All systems documented and current. Network diagrams and cable documentation. Maintenance records. Emergency procedures.
• 5 — Excellent: Complete, current documentation for all systems. Integrated with DCIM. Regular documentation audits. Version-controlled documentation management.

Documentation gaps are the most underestimated risk in data center operations. Undocumented systems cannot be safely maintained — technicians making changes to undocumented systems are operating blind, dramatically increasing the risk of human error.

Dimension 7: AI Readiness

Scoring Rubric

• 1 — Not ready: Maximum rack density below 10 kW. No liquid cooling. Power infrastructure cannot support AI servers.
• 2 — Limited: Supports 10–15 kW per rack. No liquid cooling. Can support small AI deployments with limitations.
• 3 — Moderate: Supports 20–30 kW per rack. Rear-door heat exchangers available. Can support H100/H200 servers in limited quantities.
• 4 — Advanced: Supports 30–60 kW per rack. Direct liquid cooling available. Can support full H100/H200 DGX deployments.
• 5 — AI-optimized: Supports 60–120 kW per rack. Full DLC infrastructure. Can support GB200 NVL72 systems. High-speed interconnect (InfiniBand NDR) available.

Key Questions

• What is the maximum kW per rack the facility can support?
• Is direct liquid cooling infrastructure available?
• Can the power infrastructure support 8–10 kW per AI server?
• Is high-speed interconnect (InfiniBand or 400GbE) available?
• What is the floor loading capacity in AI-dense zones?

Scoring & Next Steps

Any dimension scoring 1 is a critical gap requiring immediate attention regardless of total score. Power redundancy and operations maturity gaps at score 1 create significant availability risk.

DCS Global's Data Center Assessment provides a detailed technical evaluation of your facility against Tier III/IV standards, with specific remediation recommendations, cost estimates, and a phased implementation roadmap. Contact our engineering team to schedule an assessment.