Acceptable Use of Rack Space at Atlantic.Net Facilities

Acceptable Use of Rack Space at Atlantic.Net Facilities

Atlantic.Net’s data center rack colocation services include secure, lockable rack space for housing your servers and other IT equipment. Acceptable use of this service includes (listed below) physical building, networking infrastructure, environmental controls, power & cooling, and physical security for all your colocation needs.  

Here’s a breakdown of rules regarding what is allowed, and not allowed, within data center:

1. Equipment and Devices:

• Approved Hardware: Only devices that are explicitly approved by the data center management are allowed to be installed in the racks.
• Rack-mountable Equipment: Only rack-mountable equipment can be placed in server racks. Non-rack-mountable devices should be placed in designated areas. Special arrangements can be made for nonstandard equipment with permission of Atlantic.Net staff.
• Storage of Personal Items: Personal belongings such as bags, coats, and unnecessary electronic devices are not allowed to be stored inside racks to maintain security and cleanliness.

2. Cabling and Connections:

• Power and Data Separation: Power cables and data cables must be kept separate to prevent interference and potential hazards.
• Proper Labeling: All cables, power cords, and connections must be clearly and accurately labeled for easy identification and troubleshooting.
• Cable Length and Management: Cables must be of appropriate length and neatly managed to avoid clutter, airflow obstruction, and tripping hazards.
• Customers must provide Power Distribution Units (PDUs) in their dedicated rack.  PDUs must be UL approved, and data center approved equipment and match the power requirements.  PDUs are connected below the raised floor and can only be connected by certified personnel.
• No Daisy-Chaining: Connecting power strips to other power strips (daisy-chaining) is generally prohibited due to potential overload and fire hazards. 

3. Safety and Security:

• No Flammables: Combustible materials, such as cardboard, paper, pallets, or flammable liquids, are strictly prohibited inside server racks and on the data center floor to minimize fire risks.  All equipment packaging must be removed prior to entering the data center floor.
• No Food or Drinks: Food and beverages are not allowed on the data center floor to prevent contamination and pest infestations.
• Secure Access: Server racks must be locked when the customer is not present, and access is to be restricted to authorized personnel only.
• Emergency Procedures: Clear pathways for emergency exits are to be kept clear of debris and maintained around the racks and on the data center floor. 
• Weapons and Firearms: Strictly prohibited for security reasons.
• Customers are responsible for refuse, equipment, and cabling removal.  Customers are encouraged to recycle whenever possible.  Recycling directions and costs can be obtained from Atlantic.Net staff.
• Hazardous Materials: Substances that could pose a risk to the equipment, the facility, or personnel are not allowed.

4. Environmental Control:

• Blanking Panels: Empty rack spaces must be filled with customer-provided blanking panels to prevent hot and cold air mixing, improving cooling efficiency.
• Proper Airflow: Equipment is required to be installed in a way that does not obstruct airflow within the rack and around the data center. Airflow must be in accordance with hot and cold aisles.
• Hot and Cold Aisle Containment: Atlantic.Net emphasizes the importance of maintaining a separation between hot and cold aisles to ensure efficient airflow and prevent overheating. Please contact Atlantic.Net staff for further information.
• Heat Load Limits: The total heat load of the equipment in a rack must not exceed the cooling capacity of the data center. Atlantic.Net staff can help with load planning.

• Temperature and Humidity Monitoring: Temperature and humidity levels within the racks and data center are monitored and maintained within the specified range. Some organizations may install their own monitoring equipment, like sensors for temperature or humidity, with approval from the data center provider. 

Acceptable Use of Cage Space at Atlantic.Net Facilities

Atlantic.Net’s data center cages are secure, enclosed areas within a larger data center facility designed to house servers, networking equipment, and other critical IT infrastructure.  They provide physical isolation and restricted access for specific organizations or tenants within the data center, ensuring enhanced security, privacy, and control over their equipment. 

Here’s a breakdown of rules regarding what is allowed, and not allowed, within data center cages:

Allowed:

• Racks and Cabinets: Approved enclosed server rack/cabinet with proper hot/cold airflow.  All Racks/Cabinets must be grounded.
• IT Equipment: This is the primary purpose of the cage, including servers, storage systems, network switches, routers, and other essential hardware.
• Cables & Connectors: Power cables, network cables (fiber optic, Ethernet), and necessary connectors to link equipment within the cage.
• Power Distribution Units (PDUs): Customers must provide PDUs in their dedicated rack.  PDUs must be UL approved, and data center approved equipment and match the power requirements.  PDUs are connected below the raised floor and can only be connected by certified personnel.
• Basic Tools & Supplies: A limited selection of tools and supplies for maintenance and basic repairs, like screwdrivers, cable ties, and a label printer.
• Monitoring Equipment: Temperature and humidity levels within the racks and data center are monitored and maintained within the specified range. Some organizations may install their own monitoring equipment, like sensors for temperature or humidity, with approval from the data center provider. 
• Video Monitoring: Atlantic.Net has external video monitoring to cover aisles and public areas.  Customers may install equipment to monitor their own cage.  It is prohibited for customer cameras to capture other cages or racks and customer cameras cannot capture any public areas.  
• Work Surfaces: A small desk or table and one small chair are acceptable in cages if they do not obstruct airflow.  These cannot be positioned on hot aisle side of racks and cannot be placed over the perforated floor tiles in front of rack or impede the door opening.  Work surfaces must be kept clean and neat and not have any items accessible from outside the cage.
• Storage: Plastic bins are acceptable and can be placed in the cage.  Bins cannot be positioned on hot aisle side of the racks and cannot be placed over the perforated floor tiles in front of the racks or impede the door opening.

Prohibited:

• Open Face/2 Post Racks/Shelving: Open-faced, 2-post racks or open shelving are not allowed inside the cage or on the data center floor except if approved by the data center staff as this impeded airflow.  

• Food and Drinks: To prevent spills, pests, and contamination that could damage equipment, no food or drinks are allowed inside the cage or on the data center floor.
• Combustible Materials: These are prohibited, not limited to but including cardboard, paper, pallets, and other flammable substances, to reduce fire risk.  All equipment packaging must be removed prior to entering the data center floor.
• Storage of Personal Items: Typically, personal belongings like bags, coats, and unnecessary electronic devices are not allowed inside cages to maintain security and cleanliness.
• Unauthorized Tools & Equipment: Only necessary tools for essential maintenance are allowed to be brought into the cage.
• Modifications to the Cage: Altering the physical structure of the cage or its locking mechanisms without prior approval from the data center provider is usually prohibited. Hanging items on cage walls is strictly prohibited.
• Smoking and Tobacco Products: These are prohibited to maintain a clean and safe environment.
• Weapons and Firearms: Strictly prohibited for security reasons.
• Hazardous Materials: Substances that could pose a risk to the equipment, the facility, or personnel are not allowed. 

Important Considerations:

• Data Center Specific Rules: These guidelines are generally applicable, but specific rules and regulations will vary based on the data center provider and location. 
• Hot and Cold Aisle Containment: Atlantic.Net emphasizes the importance of maintaining a separation between hot and cold aisles to ensure efficient airflow and prevent overheating. Please contact Atlantic.Net staff for further information.
• Safety: Following safety protocols and guidelines is crucial within the data center environment.
• Compliance: Data centers adhere to industry standards and regulations, such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, or HIPAA, which can influence the rules regarding permitted items within cages. 
• Customers are responsible for refuse, equipment, and cabling removal.  Customers are encouraged to recycle whenever possible.  Recycling directions and costs can be obtained from Atlantic.Net staff.

In addition to the Atlantic.Net’s Acceptable Use policies, customers shall comply with all laws, orders, and regulations of all governmental bodies having jurisdiction over the building and/or customer’s activities and with all the building owner’s and Atlantic.Net’s policies and procedures.  More information may be found at Atlantic.Net’s website, https://www.atlantic.net/, in your Service Contract and Colocation Master Service Agreement.