American Power Conversion (APC), a global provider of end-to-end infrastructure availability solutions, announced last week a new set of courses and educational partners for its Data Center University(TM) by APC program, an online educational institution for IT professionals, engineers, and others involved in building or operating server rooms and data centers.
For TFM’s recent coverage of data centers, see “Effective Data Center Design” in the current issue.
The vendor neutral courses focus on the critical technologies and best practices that are relevant to leading edge, scalable, modular data center infrastructure. Since its launch in January 2006, Data Center University’s online courses have become a resource for IT professionals seeking real world training on the fundamental issues of network critical physical infrastructure (NCPI) of data centers.
Initially consisting of 20 courses in the subject areas of data center design, build, and operations, Data Center University by APC recently added 15 new courses, which are, for a limited time, available free online and on-demand at www.datacenteruniversity.com.
Topics for the new courses include:
* Calculating Total Cooling Requirements;
* Advantages of Row and Rack-Oriented Cooling Architectures (Parts I and
II in a series);
* Fundamentals of Cooling Architecture;
* Calculating Total Power Requirements;
* Inter-System Ground Noise: Impact on Data Center Availability;
* Generator System Requirements for Data Centers;
* Maximizing RFID Network System Availability;
* Specifications of Data Center Power Density;
* Fundamental Principles of Network Security;
* Standardization in the Data Center;
* Emergency Power Off: Don’t Get Caught in the Dark;
* Guidelines for Specifications of Data Center Power Density;
* Power Distribution Techniques – Part I;
* Financial Planning for NCPI Assets in U.S. Data Centers.
Data center executives with decades of combined experience participated in the development of the courses. In addition to maintaining its original partnership with IEEE, several leading technology and professional organizations recently agreed to new educational partnerships with the Data Center University by APC program, including: the Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS), the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, and Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI). In addition, State Engineering Boards from 18 different U.S. states will award credit for completion of Data Center University by APC courses toward maintenance of state board licenses.
“APC’s Data Center University courses prepared me for many of the issues we faced in evolving and expanding our data center, giving me a head start on the design, build, and operation,” said Richard Benson, RCDD, University of Idaho, Information Technology Services, who completed 16 of the original Data Center University by APC courses. “Data Center University has definitely given me a better feel for the process and the issues that I need to be aware of in the project management area. The courses also have given me a ‘short cut’ to best practices for developing our data center. The courses benefited me during construction, and, I believe, saved us time and money in the process. I now feel more confident doing my job.”
Data Center University by APC courses give IT professionals, engineers, facilities managers, and others involved in NCPI, an opportunity to broaden knowledge on a wide variety of topics related to data center design and management. Individuals can complete most of the courses in less than one hour and the courses are self-paced. The Data Center University by APC program also will offer certification paths beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006.
For more information about the Data Center University by APC program or APC’s products, visit www.apc.com or call 800-877-4080.
