Oxford University is one of the worlds leading academic and research communities and at its heart is a complex and powerful IT infrastructure. Although many of the colleges run their own computing environments, Oxford University Computing Services (OUCS) is tasked with providing many of the key shared facilities, services and core networks reaching all departments and colleges.

With the growth of virtualisation technologies, the newest OUCS facility built at its South Parks Road site has been designed to allow IT to become a more fluid resource. As David Birds, Data Centre Manager for OUCS explains; from its inception, the design needed to be in-line with best practice in terms of remote management, provisioning and security. “We had looked at how other modern data centres were constructed and evaluated elements like rack design, cooling, PDUs, monitoring and security. From day one, we always envisioned the data centre to be effectively “lights-out” but with a high level of automation and security to ensure the safety of the site and any lone workers.”

Working closely with J Brand, an advanced Mobotix partner and principal contractor for the data centre fit-out, Birds conducted a comprehensive review of potential CCTV solutions. The system needs to integrate alongside a range of security measures such as biometric readers, RFID keycards and anti-tailgating doors.

“It was clear from early on that the Mobotix solution was particularly well suited to our requirements as it offered high quality images, proven reliability and hemispheric technology to allow us to cover the widest areas with as fewest possible cameras,” explains Birds, “the fact that the systems had scope to add additional features such as integration with access devices and audio also provided a strong case for the longevity of the solution.”

Just 16 cameras including 14 x Q24 hemispheric models cover the 12,000 Sq/f facility. “The implementation was relatively straight forward and like the entire facility, the cameras have access to redundant power and battery backup,” Birds adds.

OUCS has opened the doors to the first University Department to make use of the facility and the lights-out nature of the centre also provides a significant operational benefit. “Having staff on site is a waste of resources as 99% of all the provisioning, adds, moves and changes that need to take place are all done remotely,” explains Bird. “Any activity inside the centre now leaves a full video audit trail which has significant advantages over a guard who, even if we had one, would never be allowed to wander unsupervised around the more critical parts of the facility.”