What Would A Data Center Stack Look Like?

The networking world has always has its stack. But what about the data center? The Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model, or OSI Model, divides network architecture into seven levels. At its first conference in February, members of Data Center Pulse developed a proposal for a standardized “Data Center Stack,” segmenting data center operations into seven layers. The group’s draft proposal is illustrated in the graphic above (click the chart for a larger version).

“We all suddenly realized we need to have the same language, the same stack,” said Dean Nelson, a co-founder of Data Center Pulse. “If we can come up with common terminology, we can start to apply individual layer metrics.” That would lay the groundwork for metrics and certifications for entire data center facilities, Nelson said.

Is defining a data center stack a worthwhile idea? Can this be accomplished without an industry food fight breaking out? Share your view in the comments.

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About Rich Miller

Rich Miller is the founder and editor-in-chief of Data Center Knowledge, and has been reporting on the data center sector since 2000. He has tracked the growing impact of high-density computing on the power and cooling of data centers, and the resulting push for improved energy efficiency in these facilities.