New York University (NYU) recently leased 20,000 square foot of space in downtown Manhattan to house a new leading edge data center. This major initiative will answer the growing IT needs of the university for data center space. NYU's current smaller data centers located around the city are almost at full capacity. The new data center will allow for enhanced infrastructure reliability, flexibility to manage current technology and the ability to leverage future data center technology.

EYP Mission Critical Facilities Technology Infrastructure Group, IBM Corporation and the NYU ITS team designed the highly resilient data center environment that is fully equipped to protect NYU's valuable information technology (IT) investments. The facility takes into consideration all factors required for the complex migration and upgrade project such as cabling systems, flooring trenches, switching systems, electromechanical systems and data center layout.

TRITECH Communications was awarded the significant multimillion dollar Structure Cabling Systems contract to furnish, install, terminate, label, test and certify a complete system. The project called for a combined backbone and horizontal cabling system involving multiple manufacturers, including Systimax Cat 6A copper connectivity, Corning MTP Pre-terminated fiber, Great Lakes Cabinets for the new server equipment, Ortronics ladder racks to create extra space in the server cabinets as well as Mighty Mo 10 Racks for the MDF and IDF solutions.

Project Summary… The ambitious project schedule called for the data center to be operational by the start of the NYU 2009 school year which meant all connectivity work would need to be complete by the end of June. This called for an 8 week work schedule to complete installation, termination and testing of over 375,000 feet of cable, 500 patch panels, over 200 racks and cabinets, 3000 fiber strands and modules, 2000 ft of ladder rack, 500 ft of cable basket and 1000 ft fiber raceway and components throughout the data center.

The space was designed to meet the specific needs of NYU including 9,000 sq ft of raised floor for the IT equipment. The fiber optic backbone was routed from the NYU telecom cage on another floor using overhead conduit and ladder rack at the floor level to the two telecom risers to the data center main distribution frame (MDF). TRITECH’s structure cabling system will serve the data center, Network Operation Center (NOC) and administrative areas located on the same floor as data center.

The MDF is the main concentration point for all network and telecom services in the data center and houses Layer 2/3 networking switch gear. From the MDF various types of data/telecom backbone and horizontal cables are extended/interconnected to the intermediate distribution frame (IDF) cabinets and onto various server cabinets and IT equipment. A separate SAN distribution frame (SDF) will serve the Storage Area Network (SAN) equipment to allow SAN network connections through IDF zone cabinets onto the SAN equipment. Configuration includes three server pods with two dedicated IDF cabinets, two SAN Pods and two dedicated SAN IDF zone cabinets to allow for redundant and diverse routes of structure cabling plus a separate IDF to serve the NOC and administrative areas.

“The NYU downtown data center project posed a challenge in terms of schedule, deployment of leading edge technologies and implementation in an historical landmark building environment. It is a testament to the strong working relationships displayed by the entire project team that TRITECH was able to complete this project on time on budget and even include a few additional changes in the time frame allotted." TRITECH Project Manager Manny Bogel LEED AP

TRITECH OneSource, Connecting Your Business allows our clients to benefit from the synergy of single point of accountability and economies of scale that result when working with one single systems integrator capable of integrating all three disciplines—communications, audio visual, and security. This delivers a seamless integration of components, ultimately resulting in a smoother installation of highly complex technology interfaces.

About New York University
Founded in 1831, New York University is the largest private university in the United States. The University, which is composed of 14 schools, colleges, and divisions, occupies five major centers in Manhattan. It operates branch campus and research programs in other parts of the United States and abroad, as well as study abroad programs in more than 25 countries. New York University is also one of the largest employers in New York City, with over 16,000 employees.

About TRITECH
TRITECH is a leading technology systems integrator providing clients with OneSource for engineering, installation and maintenance of large / complex communications, audio visual and security systems. From needs assessment and engineering, to procurement and project management, to installation and maintenance. TRITECH provides technology solutions nationwide to leading organizations in all industries including government, education, healthcare and corporate enterprises.

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