Advantage Energy Technology Data Center Migration

Advantage Energy Technology Data Center Migra

Read the Case "Advantage Energy Technology Data Center Migration - Part A" at the end of chapter 6 and respond to the following questions: Brian Smith, network administrator at Advanced Energy Technology (AET), has been given the responsibility of implementing the migration of a large data center to a new office location. Careful planning is needed because AET operates in the highly competitive petroleum industry. AET is one of five national software companies that provide an accounting and business management package for oil jobbers and gasoline distributors. A few years ago, AET entered the “application service provider” world. Their large data center provides clients with remote access to AET’s complete suite of application software systems.

Traditionally, one of AET’s primary competitive advantages has been the company’s trademark IT reliability. Due to the complexity of this project, Brian will have to use a parallel method of implementation. Although this will increase project costs, a parallel approach is essential if reliability is not to be compromised.

Generate a priority matrix for AET's system move. Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for Brian's project, including duration (in days) and predecessors. Using a project planning tool, generate a network diagram for this project.

Follow these guidelines: hours per day are eight, five working days per week, with the exception of when Brian moves network components over a weekend, no holiday breaks, project start date is March 1, 2010. Ordering Ventilation System, New Racks, and Power Supplies/Cables takes only one actual day of work; remaining days are for vendors to fill and ship the orders, modeled with Finish-to-Start lag. The raised floor will be ready for inspection five days after project start, modeled with a Start-to-Start lag.

Paper For Above instruction

In managing complex IT infrastructure migrations such as the one faced by Advanced Energy Technology (AET), a systematic approach is vital to ensure minimal disruption and maximal reliability. The project encompasses multiple critical components, including hardware upgrades, facility renovations, and logistical coordination, all of which necessitate careful planning, prioritization, and sequencing of tasks.

Priority Matrix Development

The first step is to develop a priority matrix that categorizes tasks based on their urgency and importance. For AET’s system migration, the highest priorities include critical infrastructure components that directly impact system uptime and data integrity. These include the installation of new racks, power supplies, and cabling; the configuration of networking hardware; and the migration of core data services. These tasks are categorized as high importance and high urgency because delays or failures could compromise the entire migration. Medium priority tasks involve less critical activities such as vendor shipment coordination and physical inspections, which, while essential, can be scheduled with some flexibility. Low-priority tasks are administrative or preparatory activities, such as documentation updates and staff training, which do not directly impact the migration’s success but are necessary for long-term operational stability.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The WBS for Brian’s project breaks down the migration into manageable components with assigned durations and predecessors. Key tasks include:

• Project Initiation (1 day; no predecessors)
• Ordering Equipment (1 day; depends on procurement process)
• Vendor Shipment and Delivery (variable; depends on procurement)
• Data Center Renovation (10 days; with a 5-day Start-to-Start lag to indicate the raised floor inspection)
• Installation of Racks and Power Supplies (4 days; after arrival)
• Networking Hardware Configuration (3 days; following hardware installation)
• Data Migration and Testing (7 days; after hardware setup)
• Cutover and Go-Live (1 day; scheduled during the weekend for minimal disruption)

These tasks interconnect through dependencies, with some scheduled concurrently (e.g., ordering and renovation) and others sequentially, reflecting real-world constraints and vendor lead times.

Network Diagram and Scheduling

Using project management software, a network diagram can be created based on the above task sequence. For example, the project starts on March 1, 2010, with project initiation. The equipment orders are placed on the same day, with vendor shipments "Finish-to-Start" lagging appropriately until goods arrive. The renovation begins immediately, with an inspection scheduled five days into this phase via a Start-to-Start lag. Hardware installation occurs upon delivery, followed by configuration, migration, and finally the cutover during a weekend window to minimize operational impact. The critical path includes tasks such as equipment ordering, renovation, hardware setup, and migration, which collectively determine the project duration.

Conclusion

Effective project planning, through prioritization, detailed WBS, and network diagramming, is crucial for the success of AET’s data center migration. The approach outlined minimizes downtime, ensures critical system reliability, and aligns with the company's strategic emphasis on IT reliability and service continuity. Employing tools such as Gantt charts, dependency networks, and careful resource allocation will facilitate timely execution and provide a clear framework to address unforeseen delays or issues.

References

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