Data centre operations
Keep OPS Data's halls running: replace failed parts, keep power and cooling up, keep racks online and add capacity.
Overview
A data hall is racks of servers with a UPS (on mains or a generator), CRAC cooling and network uplinks. Every running server makes heat. If cooling can't keep up, the hall warms, servers degrade at 32 °C and shut down at 40 °C. On battery, the UPS runs out. A rack needs a ToR switch and CAT6 to an online router. OPS Cloud customers' servers run on these hosts: when hosts fail, their servers restart elsewhere or go down, and OPS Web, DNS and mail can depend on them too.
Jobs this covers
dc_fault, dc_cooling, dc_power, dc_network, dc_capacity — certificate: Data centre operations (required)
The equipment — what everything does
42U rack
Holds servers, storage, switch and firewall by rack unit.
In game: /towers → OPS Data. [E] on the rack → Install kit / the unit → Repair, Power, Role.
Compute / storage servers
Halcyon C1/C2 run cloud VMs or OPS services; S4 is storage.
In game: Installed into the rack from [E] → Install kit.
ToR switch
Puts the rack's servers on the network. No switch, no network.
In game: Install kit → Meridian TOR-48X.
UPS & generator
Keep racks powered through power cuts.
In game: /towers → OPS Data → Racks & power. The UPS needs a socket within 3 m or a generator in the hall.
CRAC unit
Removes 30 kW of heat each.
In game: /towers → OPS Data → Cooling. Needs a socket within 3 m.
Tools & PPE
Engineer laptop & console cable
Configures routers, NVRs and servers, runs speed tests and opens OPS Hub.
Torque driver
Tightens electrical terminals and rack rails to the correct torque — not too loose, not stripped.
Thermal camera
Shows hot spots: overloaded cables, failing fans, blocked server airflow.
RJ45 crimper & cable tester
Fits RJ45 plugs onto CAT6 and proves all eight cores are connected in the right order.
ESD wrist strap PPE
Grounds you so static electricity doesn't destroy server and network boards.
Standalone servers: tools are in your van (OPS Work → My van & tools). Items servers: collect them — and the job’s parts — at an OPS depot.
Step by step
OPS Hub → Data & Cloud shows which rack, unit and problem.
Set GPS to the job address (the data hall).
[E] on the rack: power source, online, hall temperature and each unit's status and fault.
Fault: the unit → Repair. Cooling: add or plug in CRAC units. Power: give the UPS mains or a generator. Network: fix the switch / CAT6 uplink. Capacity: install new compute servers.
Check the hall is healthy and the unit shows Running and online.
Press Check on the job.
Health & safety
Static electricity
Risk: Static destroys server components.
Control: Wear an ESD wrist strap when handling boards and drives.
Manual handling
Risk: Heavy kit such as racks, UPS cabinets and cable drums can injure your back.
Control: Lift with your legs, keep loads close, and use two people or a trolley for anything over 25 kg.
Electricity
Risk: Mains voltage can give a fatal shock and cause burns.
Control: Never open powered kit. Isolate and prove dead with a voltage tester before touching terminals.
Heat & noise
Risk: Overheated halls and loud fans.
Control: Limit time in hot aisles, use hearing protection.
In game you confirm these in a risk assessment before starting. Skipping them on risky work can cause a fall or a shock — and it’s logged as a safety incident.
When it’s not done correctly
Leaving the hall overheating
Servers degrade at 32 °C and shut down at 40 °C, cloud servers go down, and the cooling check needs cooling ≥ the full demand.
UPS without mains in a power cut
The battery drains, every rack goes dark, and customers' servers and OPS services fail.
Rack without a working switch
Everything in it is unreachable — the rack offline job stays open.
Installing compute servers with the wrong role
Only 'cloud' role servers add capacity; the capacity check counts those.