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Data Center Decommissioning
In brief
Data center decommissioning is the planned dismantling of a data center or server room in which servers, storage systems and network equipment are shut down, taken apart, cleansed of data and recovered. Occasions include a move to the cloud, a consolidation or a hardware replacement. What is decisive here is a complete inventory list, the secure erasure of all data carriers and unbroken proof.
Typical process
| Phase | Contents |
|---|---|
| Planning | Inventory of all systems, dependencies, shutdown dates |
| Migration | Transfer and verify data and services on new systems or in the cloud |
| Dismantling | Remove servers, storage and Rack server and record serial numbers |
| Data sanitization | Erase drives, cleanse storage systems, destroy defective data carriers |
| Recovery | Resale, spare-parts recovery or recycling |
| Proof | Erasure and destruction certificates, disposal proofs, final report |
Special features of dismantling
In the data center, data is often scattered: in RAIDarrays, in storage systems with logical drives, on magnetic tapes and in forgotten spare drives. Every single drive must be recorded and treated. Network devices contain configurations with access credentials, which must also be removed. Because servers and network equipment often still have value, a sale is worthwhile instead of scrapping. How this works is described in the guide sell used servers.
Second IT übernimmt beim Rückbau Ankauf, Sicherheitslogistik, Löschung mit Blancco, Vernichtung nach DIN 66399 und Wiedervermarktung aus einer Hand. Alle Geräte werden gezielt auf Speichermedien geprüft – auch auf versteckte Festplatten in Servergehäusen.
Frequently asked questions about data center decommissioning
What does decommissioning mean?
Decommissioning means taking out of service. In the IT context, it refers to the orderly shutdown, dismantling and recovery of systems, up to the complete dismantling of a data center.
Do server hard drives have to be destroyed?
Not necessarily. Working drives can be erased with certification and reused. Primarily defective or non-erasable data carriers are destroyed, with a certificate of destruction.
What happens to network equipment during dismantling?
Configurations are backed up and removed from the device. Afterwards, switches, routers and firewalls can be resold or recycled.
Where is data located everywhere when a data center is dismantled?
Data is often scattered: in RAID arrays, in storage systems with logical drives, on magnetic tapes and in forgotten spare drives. Network devices also contain configurations with access credentials. Every single drive must be recorded and treated.
Is selling servers worthwhile when dismantling a data center?
Often yes. Servers and network equipment frequently still have value, which is why a sale is worthwhile instead of scrapping. The prerequisite is that all data carriers have been verifiably erased beforehand and configurations removed from the devices.
Dismantle a data center: buyback, erasure and proofs from a single source.
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