Innovation on the campus
July 28, 2023
References
The Challenge
- Relocation of the existing IT environment to a new data center on the university campus
- Tight schedule for building the required infrastructure
Our job
- Planning of a custom-fit rack solution for the server and network components
- Installation of the cabinets, cable routing enclosure and cold aisle containment
The business edge
- On-time provision of the basic infrastructure for the new data center
- Secure housing and reliable operation of sensitive IT systems
- High energy efficiency due to cold aisle containment
- Sensor-controlled sliding doors for optimum user comfort
Leuphana University of Lüneburg's IT needed a new home. enthus and EFB-Elektronik worked hand in hand to plan a modern rack infrastructure and install 24 server and network cabinets on schedule. As a result, everything was ready in time for the new data center to move in.
Infrastructure for the university of the future
Digital technologies play a major role in everyday university life at Leuphana. The approximately 10,000 students use a variety of innovative teaching and learning opportunities every day, research projects make use of intelligent tools for data analysis - and strategies and solutions for the future of the university are being developed in a newly founded Digital Transformation Lab.
However, successful digitization also requires a high-performance infrastructure in the background. In order to reliably provide the growing number of digital services, Leuphana planned to build a new data center. IT applications that had previously been operated at an external location were to run in the Media and Information Center on the university's own campus in the future. An important part of this project was the installation of a modern rack infrastructure for the server and network components.
Secure racks for sensitive IT systems
Following a public tender, Leuphana opted for a solution concept from enthus and its long-standing technology partner EFB-Elektronik. "The proposed solution not only met all structural and technical requirements - it was also more cost-effective than comparative offers from other providers," says Horst-Arno Bolz, who is responsible for the project at the university's building management department.
The solution concept included a total of 24 server and network racks of the PRO series from EFB-Elektronik. The 19-inch racks are designed for high payloads and thus ensure secure accommodation of sensitive IT systems. In addition, the modular racks can be completely disassembled and flexibly adapted to any room situation.
Compact cable routing housings were planned between the individual racks. These simplify the routing and organization of the required cabling. The project partners also supplied all components for a complete cold aisle containment of the two rows of cabinets. A special highlight are the electric sliding doors, which are controlled by motion sensors.
Together to project success
There was a clearly defined time window for the implementation of the project. Since the lease agreement with the previous data center location expired, the new infrastructure had to be in place by a fixed deadline. Despite the tight supply situation for IT components, the project partners managed to complete all work on schedule.
"enthus and EFB-Elektronik created the conditions that enabled us to take the next steps immediately when we moved our IT," summarizes Horst-Arno Bolz. "The racks are excellently finished and the enclosure plays perfectly with the air conditioning system of our data center. The automatic sliding doors not only make it easier for our employees to get in when they bring in new equipment - they also ensure that as little cold air as possible escapes in the process."
Following the successful completion of the project, Leuphana has now also awarded a follow-up contract to enthus and EFB-Elektronik. In the near future, the two project partners will also equip several older server rooms on campus with cold aisle containment.
"We worked very cooperatively with enthus and EFB-Elektronik right from the start. The data center specialists understood our requirements immediately and were able to implement them perfectly. In practice, the new rack infrastructure has proven itself and supports the reliable operation of our data center."
Horst-Arno Bolz, Facility Management, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Leuphana University Lüneburg
Leuphana University of Lüneburg is a state university run by a foundation under public law in the Hanseatic city of Lüneburg in Lower Saxony. Its focus in teaching and research is on education, culture, sustainability, management; entrepreneurship and political science. Leuphana sees itself as an active co-creator of social change processes and is dedicated to significant civil society challenges of the 21st century. The university has already received several awards for its innovative study model, which is unique in Germany. For more information, please visit: www.leuphana.de
enthus
| Short for enthusiasm. Best form for IT
Over 500 enthusiasast:innen at 10 locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are passionate #successmakers for IT and digitization with 170 million euros in annual revenue (2022). With innovative IT solutions, managed services & XaaS and our smart solutions for digital business processes, we want to be #yourfirstchoice on the way to the digital age. Because challenges are best solved by working together - in partnership and at eye level.
For more information, please visit: www.enthus.de