A Data Center Technician is a professional who plays a crucial role in managing and maintaining data center operations. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of data center infrastructure and equipment. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Data Center Technicians.

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Main Responsibilities of a Data Center Technician

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Data Center Technician:

Analyze

Analyze systems to ensure best practices for both internal and external customers.

Apply

Apply basic configuration on hosted equipment (iLO, DRAC, switch ports, etc.).

Assist in

• Assist as needed with readings of equipment draw / customer audits.

• Assist in asset and consumable inventory management.

• Assist in capacity planning and resource optimization.

• Assist in installing, maintaining and removal of all servers and cabling within facilities.

• Assist in network connectivity configurations and troubleshooting.

• Assist in planning and designing of new installations of network and data processing systems.

• Assist in the daily operation of computer systems.

• Assist in the deployment and migration of data center systems.

• Assist in the diagnosing, troubleshoot and escalate any problems internally and externally.

• Assist in the implementation of data center security measures.

• Assist in the recovery activities necessary to restore normal operations.

• Assist other departments to facilitate Customer and / or auditor tours.

• Assist with inventory, audit and asset management.

• Assist with managing systems to avoid unplanned customer-impacting outages.

Build

Build and lead a list of critical spare parts.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support infrastructure needs.

Communicate

Communicate to a diverse audience, including upper management clearly and concisely.

Completion

Completion of the online Google IT Support Professional Certificate program.

Compose

Compose detailed reports and daily activity logs.

Conduct

• Conduct backups and implement disaster recovery solutions.

• Conduct preventive maintenance on data center equipment.

• Conduct regular audits to ensure data center compliance.

• Conduct routine and ongoing assessment of the infrastructure systems operations.

• Conduct routine tests to ensure proper functioning of data center equipment.

• Conduct thorough ticket documentation.

Configure

Configure and troubleshoot OS-related issues on servers.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and oversee power installations and upgrades.

• Coordinate design and installation of all data / fiber within the critical infrastructure.

• Coordinate equipment repairs and vendor support.

• Coordinate with Service providers for the installation and activation of new services.

• Coordinate with technicians in our remote sites to troubleshoot network related issues.

Copper

Copper and Fiber Optic Testing and Cabling Standards.

Create

• Create and maintain process and templates for documentation.

• Create audits and modifies Data Center asset documentation as required.

Deploy

• Deploy and manage virtualization technologies.

• Deploy servers and network equipment in an R&D and production environment.

Develop

Develop standard operating procedures and manuals for environments you are in charge of.

Diagnose

Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair customer and network circuits.

Document

• Document and update data center procedures and configurations.

• Document system problems and resolutions for future reference.

Empower

Empower a culture of safety, security, and compliance in all aspect of datacenter activities.

Ensure

• Ensure compliance with CO+I business units and service-level policies.

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.

• Ensure reception of equipment.

Escalate

Escalate problems and issues to the Operations Team.

Follow

• Follow defined processes to ensure that the production and corporate environments are in compliance.

• Follow department guidelines and procedures to ensure effective process management.

• Follow direction of data center technicians in regards to day-to-day activities.

• Follow direction of management in regards to day-to-day activities.

Generate

Generate reports required.

Handle

Handle all customer and internal shipping logs and maintaining facility cleanliness.

Help

Help test and troubleshoot new complex server hardware components and designs.

Identify

Identify, enforce, and assess safety hazards and risks.

Install

• Install and arrange new equipment for data centers.

• Install and configure server hardware and network devices.

• Install cable runs, patch panels and cross connects.

• Install, upgrade, configure and maintain network equipment, servers and Operating Systems.

Interact with

Interact with third party vendors and contractors.

Interpret

Interpret building codes and regulations as they relate to equipment installation.

Lead

Lead through change by bringing clarity, generating energy, and delivering success.

Maintain

• Maintain accurate documentation of data center changes and updates.

• Maintain accurate inventory of work tools, test equipment, and devices.

• Maintain a clean and safe workplace.

• Maintain a clean and tidy environment through general housekeeping activities.

• Maintain and complete regular facility and security tours documenting and responding to found issues.

• Maintain and service state of the art A / V and video conferencing equipment.

• Maintain and updates standards, policies, procedures, and documentation.

• Maintain a solid working relationship with multiple infrastructure and development teams.

• Maintain a working knowledge of all products, processes and systems.

• Maintain clean and proper installation of equipment across your region.

• Maintain correct identification of equipment.

• Maintain data center security protocols and access controls.

• Maintain detailed documentation of all deployed IT assets.

• Maintain detailed site documentation of customer cross-connects and power circuits.

• Maintain impeccable documentation around our data center configuration.

• Maintain inventory of data center assets and track equipment usage.

• Maintain professionalism in actions, demeanor and dress.

Manage

• Manage and track capacity of MMR, MDF, IDF, patch panels and cables.

• Manage building service requests through resolution.

• Manage data center cabling infrastructure.

• Manage data center power and cooling systems.

• Manage RMAs with manufacturers.

• Manage systems to avoid unplanned, customer-impacting outages.

Meet

Meet pre-defined installation intervals for risers and interconnects.

Monitor

• Monitor all business-critical systems and escalates issues accordingly.

• Monitor and maintain environmental conditions within the data center.

• Monitor and manage data center backup and restore processes.

• Monitor and Resolve technical issues and alarms with zColo Infrastructure, ensuring issue resolution.

• Monitor, and respond to abnormal conditions in facilities systems.

• Monitor and respond to critical issues related to Datacenter equipement.

• Monitor and track on hand inventory (optics, cabling, etc.) at data center locations.

• Monitor data center systems and resolve any issues promptly.

• Monitor pricing and work quality of outside contractors.

• Monitor, resolve, and escalate issues within critical facilities infrastructure.

• Monitor the building fire alarm system.

Navigate

Navigate and utilize a CMMS system.

Network

• Network device and protocol configuration.

• Network infrastructure and hardware.

Operate

• Operate electrical tools such as a multi-meter or infrared camera.

• Operate Hand and Machine Tools (hammer, drill, saw, etc.).

• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions in facilities systems.

• Operate, monitor, maintain, and respond to abnormal conditions in facilities systems.

Participate in

• Participate in facilities post incident reviews as required.

• Participate in incident investigations.

• Participate in regular facilities audits.

• Participate in the design and implementation of data center upgrades.

• Participate in the Market's on-call rotation, based on Market needs.

Perform

• Perform and complete work orders and customer service tickets in a timely manner.

• Perform cable lacing as per the Datacenter standard.

• Perform cable terminations and connections.

• Perform computer / server hardware and software support.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Perform power cycles, swap out failed components, handle storage media, and perform troubleshooting.

• Perform regular equipment inspections and maintenance.

• Perform server hardware maintenance and upgrades.

• Perform tests, rounds, and analyze data to assure the proper functioning of all equipment.

Prepare

Prepare, stage, configure and test hardware for deployment.

Procure

Procure and deploy equipment and its required connectivity in data centers.

Produce

Produce periodic status reports on utilization, progress, downtime, performance and costs.

Provide

• Provide 24x7x365 staff rotation onsite at the data center facility.

• Provide applied mechanical and integrated control expertise for the entire data center.

• Provide day-to-day exceptional customer service and support.

• Provide feedback to DCO Engineering on the effectiveness of existing standards and processes.

• Provide feedback to management on the effectiveness of existing standards and processes.

• Provide hands on support as needed for engineering staff.

• Provide operational and procedural changes to improve quality of service.

• Provide quick and accurate problem resolution for a variety of user problems.

• Provide software, hardware and networking support.

• Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to users.

• Provide Voice / Data and Fiber cabling for all critical and non-critical infrastructure.

Rack

• Rack and stack of equipment into custom configurations and setups.

• Rack, cable and configure Linux-based servers and other network hardware.

Register

Register customers and maintain SAE-16 security control.

Resolve

• Resolve requests and faults logged.

• Resolve tickets as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Respond to

• Respond and troubleshoot end users hardware and OS tickets.

• Respond to and resolve data center incidents and emergencies.

• Respond to customer inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

Review

Review, propose and implement data center sites improvement.

Set

Set standards of excellence for all data center operations.

Set-up

Set-up and configures computer, console and KVM hardware and connections.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with emerging technologies and industry trends.

Support

• Support customer and / or auditor tours as needed.

• Support customer requests with courtesy, efficiency and technical expertise.

• Support of all Vendor Maintenance Activities within Data Center.

Take

Take readings off of equipment (Electrical and Cooling) and maintain the related reports.

Test

Test, analyze and repair defective servers.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and Layer 1 and 2 connectivity problems.

• Troubleshoot applications and hardware issues and errors.

• Troubleshoot failed components.

• Troubleshoot hardware and network problems.

• Troubleshoot performance problems.

Understand

• Understand and follow optimal standards for cabling.

• Understand overall ticket management process.

• Understand power cabling and relationship between Volts, Amperes, Watts.

Update

Update inventory systems as required.

Use

Use developed procedures to solve problems.

Utilize

Utilize test equipment to ensure reliability of physical layer.

Work with

• Work with contractors and consultants for all system expansions, corrections and upgrades.

• Work with service teams to optimize performance.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Data Center Technician:

1. Proficiency in server hardware installation and configuration.

2. Networking knowledge and experience (TCP/IP, VLANs, routing, etc.).

3. Familiarity with data center power and cooling systems.

4. Understanding of virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V, etc.).

5. Experience in data center cabling and cable management.

6. Knowledge of backup and disaster recovery solutions.

7. Proficiency in server operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.).

8. Familiarity with data center monitoring tools and systems.

9. Troubleshooting skills for hardware and network issues.

10. Knowledge of data center security protocols and access controls.

11. Understanding of data center backup and restore processes.

12. Experience in capacity planning and resource optimization.

13. Proficiency in documentation and record-keeping.

14. Knowledge of industry regulations and compliance standards.

15. Familiarity with network connectivity configurations.

16. Proficiency in data center equipment maintenance.

17. Experience with data center audits and risk assessments.

18. Knowledge of cable terminations and connections.

19. Understanding of data center environmental monitoring.

20. Proficiency in data center incident management and resolution.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Data Center Technician:

1. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

2. Excellent attention to detail.

3. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

4. Ability to work well in a team.

5. Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment.

6. Time management and organizational skills.

7. Customer service orientation.

8. Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.

9. Critical thinking and decision-making abilities.

10. Continuous learning mindset.

Conclusion

By possessing a combination of these technical and soft skills, Data Center Technicians can excel in their roles and contribute to the smooth and efficient functioning of data center operations.