A breakdown of data center tier standards based on the Uptime Institute data center tier ratings. Find out which data center will be the right fit for your business. Whether you're a small, medium, or enterprise level business, understanding data center tiers will better prepare you to make the right hosting decision.

1. Data Center Tier Standards A breakdown of data center tier standards based on the Uptime Institute

2. Four Tiers for Data Center Tier 1 A Basic Data Center Tier 2 A Redundant Data Center Tier 3 A Concurrently Maintainable Data Center Tier 4 A Fault Tolerant Data Center

3. Tier 1- A Basic Data Center Non-redundant capacity w/ single distribution path Vulnerable to human and operational errors Requires annual maintenance to prevent serious operation failure Maintenance requires site wide shutdown

4. Tier 2- A Redundant Data Center Redundant capacity component w/ single distribution path Component can be removed without impacting computer equipment Vulnerable to human and operational errors Annual maintenance requires site wide shutdown

5. Tier 3 – A Concurrently Maintainable Data Center Redundant capacity component w/ multiple, independent distribution path Component can be removed without impacting computer equipment Somewhat vulnerable to human and operational errors Annual maintenance can be completed while data center remains operational

6. Tier 4 – A Fault Tolerant Data Center Multiple, independent, physically isolated capacity components and distribution paths Physically isolated system prevent massive infrastructure failure Component can be removed without impacting computer equipment

7. Tier 4 – A Fault Tolerant Data Center (cont.) System Self Heals – Automatically respond to prevent further site failure Not vulnerable to human and operational errors Annual maintenance can be completed while data center remains operational

8. Data Center Tier and Uptime Tier 1 A tier 1 data center has 99.67% uptime Tier 2 A tier 2 data center has 99.75% uptime Tier 3 A tier 3 data center has 99.98% uptime Tier 4 A tier 4 data center has 99.99% uptime

9. Which Tier is Right for You If your business needs for hosting are: Short-term Cheap Fast Setup Then you should pick either a TIER 1 or TIER 2 Data Center

10. Which Tier is Right for You If your business needs for hosting are: Long-term Dependable Uptime Fault Tolerant Hosting Then you should pick either a TIER 3 or TIER 4 Data Center

11. Thank You