Press Releas

Media Advisory For More Information Contact: Lee Belarmino Vice President of Information Technology (209) 954-5300 lbelarmino@deltacollege.edu

                                             Delta’s State-of-the-Art Data Center:
                       A Model for future Data Centers in the Community College System

     With the exterior work on Delta’s Data Center almost complete, work has started on the interior infrastructure technology. Further exterior infrastructure and landscaping work will move forward this spring and summer.
     Located on the north edge of the campus, the Data Center will provide a new home for the district’s technological nerve center. The new Data Center will consolidate Information Services, Information Technology and Audio Visual in to one convenient location. This centralized location will improve customer service and communication among the college’s Information Technology staff, and serve as the technological “hub” for Delta’s district.
     “The goal is to improve the delivery of technology services and expand our capabilities in order to meet the District’s projected future needs,” says Lee Belarmino, Vice President of Information Technology. “We envision a Data Center that will see Delta through the hi-tech advances of the next few decades.” Belarmino adds, “I believe Delta’s Data Center may become a model for new data centers throughout the California Community College system.
      The latest fiber optic and networking technology is central to future expansion. These advances will allow voice, video, data, air conditioning, security and other low voltage systems to run through the same network. This method is called “structured” cable design.  This new network configuration will achieve technological “convergence.” Simply put, “convergence” is the ability of network architecture to allow disparate systems to talk to one another. “This will also allow the District to support future technologies only imagined,” adds Belarmino.
      Yes, the technology is important, but Belarmino emphasizes the need for security. Rather than a grandiose location in the center of campus, the Data Center is located at the northern perimeter. Separate areas for electrical control and a loading dock for deliveries ensure greater security by keeping unauthorized persons out of secure areas. The computer rooms will be constructed with concrete cinder blocks, with special non-descript steel barriers tactically located. “It would take a tank or a bulldozer to get in,” smiles Belarmino. Access control, utilizing the latest ID technology, will limit unauthorized access to the server room.
      The Center’s design includes traditional office space with windows. This area will house the administrators, programmers and helpdesk staff. “It will also be really great to have a storage and workshop area for repairs,” says Dave Sartain, Delta College Information Technology Director. “It will be similar to what you would see in the Geek Squad workspace at Best Buy.”
      Efficient use of energy is also factored in. The server and network rooms will be separate, allowing reduced cost for cooling. Both the electrical power and the air conditioning run on a dual system that can work in tandem or individually should one system fail. To reduce cooling costs, the air ducts are located under the floor beneath each individual server rack, directly cooling the server(s) and communication equipment. In addition, the server and network rooms are lined with a rigorous fire-rated internal wall that also acts as a security barrier to prevent break-in.
      The plan also includes “Green Features” such as skylights, energy reduction windows, water-use reduction, recycled-source building materials, smart building technology, and more!
      The future is now! Delta’s new Data Center is scheduled to open during the Fall 2010 semester.

            
           The shell of Delta's Data Center is complete. Interior infrastructure work is underway.

                                               
                                               Delta's Data Center: Alternate view.

                             
                         Back View: The Data Center is nestled next to Delta's grape orchard.

                                                                      ###