1. PROJECT:
Power distribution circuit location
This project took investigative work and it did involve some time to locate the circuits under a raised floor system. Some
of the circuit labels had long been lost.
History:
At the time this project was started electrical panels where full, so locating unused circuits was imperative so that circuits
could be reallocated to other projects or devices.
Project details:
This project was to locate the ends of each circuit and either remove that circuit or document its location in a spreadsheet.
A copy of the spreadsheet was then stored in the pocket of each PDU. Information captured in a spreadsheet was: PDU
number, panel number, circuit number, outlet location, connector type, conduit footage, AMP draw and the Moves, Adds
and Changes (MAC) ticket number if we had one and going forward. This circuit information was also attached to a label
at the device end of the circuit, so that in the event that power needed to be removed from the equipment the circuit could
be quickly located and isolated. The circuit information and conduit length was also located inside the cover of the larger
devices. This information was also used in the adjustment of availably space as new equipment needed to be
accommodated.
Each access floor panel (tile) was given a letter and a number. This was then used as a reference on the spreadsheet as
to the location for each circuit (outlet location). All receptacles where photographed at its current location. The images
where stored as jpeg's on one of the servers.
A label would look like this: pdu1p2c33 = pdu number 1, panel 2 and circuit number 33.
Power Equipment:
This facility used Six Liebert Corporation Power distribution units (PDU’s) in the computer rooms. This gave a total of 23
panels for 966 possible circuits.
The First floor computer room has Four PDU's. The two original PDU’s where within feet of each other, and made for a
very full access floor in this area. (This was the main focus of this project) But because of the location air flow in this area
was not a problem. The two newer PDU’s had larger capacity and this was because of the high density of the server room
addition.
The second floor computer room has two PDU's.
PDU1's main unit was made up of 2 panels and had 1 sidecar with 1 panel. PDU2's main unit was made up of 2 panels
Both of the PDU’s that powered the 2nd
floor computer room where at circuit capacity space but not the capacity of the
PDU. This was because of the original server consolidation that moved all servers into controlled space. (This was also a
primary focus of this project)
Each panel has a capacity for 42 poles, Most circuits where computer blue' flexible conduit (also known as liquidtight) with
its connector at the other end. Length was from 20 feet to 80 feet. All where within the four walls of the Data center and
connected to a device or lay abandoned at a location (if it was not an empty slot).
The “Sever room” was built just for servers. In this area we had 1 row of racks for switches and patching. The rest of this
room had shelving and cabinets dedicated to servers. Servers that had been on the 2nd
floor where moved to this new
area. Electrical service to this room was from the 2 new PDU’s
Over a period of months load readings were taken to locate circuits that had current flowing through them. This
information was tracked in a spreadsheet for that circuit. This information gathered was also used to confirm that it was to
a device that we believed it was attached to.
The building:
Five-story headquarters building that is one city block wide and two city blocks long, 11,080 sq. ft. of secured Computer
space, located on 2 floors. This area was located in the center core of the building and all outer walls where lined with
steel. each and every person needed a badge to enter this area of the building. Access to the space was through a
mantrap operated by a security officer in the main control room for the 2nd
set of doors. The first floor computer room was
divided into two areas, The first area you arrive in is the Mainframe side (legacy system). Through a set of double doors
takes you to an area for the newer server based systems.

2. PROJECT:
Converting from token ring to Ethernet
This project was a total rewire of the complex from a token ring topology to Ethernet topology
History:
Three floors had the token ring type 3 wiring and as the other 2 1/2 floors became available the accepted transfer of data
moving forward was Ethernet topology. All network connections when using a Bytek switch required the port to be set up.
We used a unix based system to do this and when we got to over 1300 devices the managing computer ran so slow that it
became an all day event to make any changes to the system. And the agency was growing beyond the limits of this
topology
Project details:
The new floors where wired with category 5e wire and the correct number and type of switches where installed. As the
staff was relocated to the new areas the computers needed to have a network card swap and new software installed. The
plan was put together, tested and implemented. Moves where whole divisions and where up to 130 staff over the course
of a weekend. Each move was coordinated by the space planning staff and the facilities team. Information technology
staff where involved to make sure all switches where configured correctly and software for the desktop computers was
correct for the machines that were receiving the swap. Facilities team then prewired each station with power cords for the
computer and monitor and pre-patched each network cable to the correct network. (agency had 15 networks) Movers
came in on Friday and moved just the computer equipment that facility staff had packed and labeled for the move. We had
facility staff in the new space when the computers arrived to insure that the correct computer was placed in the correct
location, and would set the computer back up. Part of the process was to replace the network card for the proper network
topology and turn it on to check for connectivity. Early the next morning depending on the size of the move, we would
have staff arrive and remove the old software and replace with the correct drivers for the proper network card. This took
around 45 minutes to an hour per system touched. Large divisions would require large deployment teams and a
coordinator to control the installs and issues as they arose
Moves into and out of token ring topology took about a year and a half to complete.
In the areas of the building with the older token ring topology a plan was put together to put the new cable in alongside
with the older system cables. Racks where added in the communications closets and new Ethernet switches where
installed and Pre patching was done as in the new spaces and cards where swapped on the desktop computers the night
before. The next morning large teams were brought in as before to replace software on the desktop computers. At the end
of the project around 1200 computers had the network card replaced.
This same time frame a second floor in a second building was added and that also required a network card swap for any
computer that moved between locations.
Equipment and wiring In the completed areas that had been converted to Ethernet from the older token ring was removed
over time. The token ring equipment was then transferred to another state agency.
This same project had 8 area offices that were also on the token ring topology that also required a change to the Ethernet
equipment and required weekend trips to each office to replace the hardware and software just as was done locally.
The buildings:
Five-story headquarters building that is one city block wide and two city blocks long, Client occupied all of the 1st
, 2nd
and
the South side of the 3rd
floor. As space became available it was brought up to the current standards of the tenet before
moving into the available space. The building has over 492,900 square feet of office space.
This building has 17 communications closets, All desktop connections are patched to/from these closets. Each closet then
runs to the main computer room over fiber. 1 fiber path(equals 2 strands) for every 2 switches is the load standard. Each
switch has 36 ports.
Remote area offices are located on a single floor and staff is from 8 to 15 people per site. One of the offices had a training
room on the first floor, but all other area offices had all of their space located on the same floor.
All of the Southern area offices where considered to be disaster recovery sites should access be denied to the
Headquarters building. Extra desktop computers where leased and stored at a different location and could be moved to
any of the locations should a need arise.

3. PROJECT:
Server Relocation
As the need grew for more servers to house programs and data the existing location was no longer sufficient. A whole
new area was built for the growing need for servers. The space was attached to the existing 1st
floor computer room and
was accessed through that same 1st
floor mantrap.
History:
In the early days one division, one server and the servers where housed in closets up by the division that used it or even
on a desk top. As the need for more applications grew, a need for a more secure location was needed for the now
growing collection of servers. At first servers where moved into the 2nd
floor computer room and put on racks that made
them easier to access. Then it spilled out of the 2nd
floor space and into the 1st
floor computer room back in the corner.
Patching was done in a cabinet that was up against the wall and was hard to access. But this space was quickly filling up
and available power circuits where becoming a problem.
Project details:
With one program equals one server. The need for more space was a top priority and the best location was to extend the
current 1st
floor computer room to the West. Staff that was in the area that was going to become the new server room
needed a new home before build out could begin. Four large air conditioners for keeping everything cool and Two Power
Distribution units would feed the power needs for this area. Fiber optics would carry the data between the two computer
rooms. Then shelving for the servers to rest on where installed and one long row of racks held all the patching and all the
switches that supported this space. As it became time to start the moves into the new locations. Information on the
networks(15 different networks) the server were currently on and what division the server belonged to was the information
that we gathered. We then needed to find what weekend this equipment could be down and would someone then be
available to check that the application was running correctly once it was back up running in its new location. Over the
course of weekends in one Month we successfully moved over 200 servers into their new homes
The information on power needs and what network(s) where required was gathered from the current location and then
was reproduced at the new location. Pre-patching and pre-wiring each location was how we moved a large number of
machines in a short time. All cables were labeled at both the switch end as well as the server end. Each network has a
color and we attached a zip tie for the proper color on the patch cords along with the device name. All information went
into a data base that kept the circuit number the switch port(s) and the shelf or cabinet location.
The building:
Five-story headquarters building that is one city block wide and two city blocks long, 11,080 sq. ft. of secured Computer
space, located on 2 floors. This area was located in the center core of the building and all outer walls where lined with
steel. Each and every person needing access to this area needed access on their badge to enter this area of the building.
Access to the space was through a mantrap operated by a security officer in the main control room for the 2nd
set of doors.
The first floor computer room was divided into two areas, The first area you arrive in is the Mainframe side (legacy
system). Then through a set of double doors takes you to an area for the newer server based systems. Building has over
492,900 square feet of office space.

4. PROJECT:
CalPERS Yearly Conference
Starting in 2000 client would have a training conference for their members alternating between Southern California and
Northern California from one year to the next. The transporting of the needed equipment was the same each year just the
distance of the trip changed.
Project details:
Planning started in March with the think about the Design and start putting together the materials needed to support the
Conference. This included what type of network? Who’s Network would be utilized? The number of PC’s that we would
be using and Power requirements for this equipment. We did the Coordination for making sure that the PC’s had the right
image for this task and that all needed equipment and materials where purchased and on site in time for the loading
process to begin.
We were responsible for the materials arriving at the Conference. This included but was not limited to Computers
(Monitors, Keyboards, Mouse, speakers & Printers) all network pieces plus backup pieces (switches, Hubs, patch cords,
server and cables) and all handouts that were used during the Conference.
Monitored Performance of connection speed during the course of the Conference, so problems could be resolved before
attendees realized any problem existed.
We were involved with the loading, transporting, Setup and breakdown of required equipment that makes the Conference
a success.
Saw to it that all Computer equipment was installed and functioning properly so access to the needed applications back at
headquarters could be achieved.
The buildings:
Southern California used the Anaheim Hilton Hotel & Resort in Anaheim California Northern California used the
Sacramento Convention center in Sacramento California.
The Anaheim Hilton required scheduling dock time to unload and load the equipment. This location also required we use
their staff to do the unloading/loading. For this conference we had several meeting rooms a hallway and a large ballroom.
The Sacramento Convention Center used several meeting rooms a hallway and a large ballroom.

5. PROJECT:
Gateway Oaks move project
History:
As this agency grew in size the main building still had other tenants, so other space needed to be found for the increasing
number of staff.
Project details:
The search for more space involved hours of looking at vacant buildings that were within a few minutes of the
headquarters building. A building was located, a design was approved and then build out began. Furniture was set up and
network cables were run to each station and then pre patched into switches that had been configured and mounted in the
communications closets (All remote locations shared a closet for both voice and data)
Friday afternoon of move weekend staff turned off their machines in their old locations and we came and disconnected the
computers and readied the computers for the movers to pick them up. Each staff member was given a number to place on
their boxes as well as their computer. The number was for their new desk location in the new building, so the movers
could place their computer and boxes in their new location. We then arrived at the new location to oversee the placement
of computers on the desktops, and make the card swap for the new Ethernet topology. We checked for connectivity of the
computer and returned Saturday morning along with the Desktop support team and replaced the software for each
machine.
The building:
This is a 3 story building located 5 minutes North of downtown and is 81,719 square feet. tenant took the 1st
& 2nd
floors
and used it as the regional office for the area. It provided free parking for the members and staff. Two communications
closets supported this building. The 1st
floor was shared with Voice equipment, and 2nd
floor housed the servers for this
location.
This building was also our disaster recovery site should access to the headquarters building be denied but access to the
surrounding area was still allowed. For this reason extra equipment was stored at this site.

6. PROJECT:
1 Capital Mall move project
History:
As this agency grew in size the main building still had other tenants, so other space needed to be found for the increasing
number of staff.
Project details:
Tenant moved 2 divisions into this building over a 3 year span. The first was the central records division. This was 12
staff and the paper files of all members. The staff and files occupied all of the 6th
floor. Files were stored here until they
were converted to electronic files in early 2002. The 2nd
division was programming staff of the IT department on the 2nd
floor.
The space was within walking distance of the headquarters building. Both the 2nd
and 6th
floors where part of the Token
ring to Ethernet conversion project. The 2nd
floor was designed and built. Furniture was set up and network cables were
run to each station and then pre patched into switches that had been configured and mounted in the communications
closets (All remote locations shared a closet for both voice and data)
Friday afternoon of move weekend staff turned off their machines in their old locations and we came and disconnected the
computers and readied the computers for the movers to pick them up. Each staff member was given a number to place on
their boxes as well as their computer. The number was for their new desk location in the new building, so the movers
could place their computer and boxes in their new location. We then arrived at the new location to oversee the placement
of computers on the desktops, We checked for connectivity of the computer and returned Saturday morning along with the
Desktop support team and Reconfigured the software for each machine.
The building:
This is a 8 story building located in downtown and is 205,000 square feet. tenant occupied most of the 2nd
and all of the
6th
floors. The 6th floor was used by Central records and the 2nd
floor was IT staff. Two communications closets
connected the users to the client network. The voice equipment and the servers where moved to the 2nd
floor from the 6th
floor when we took over the 2nd
floor 6th floor feeds the 2nd
floor network.

7. PROJECT:
1 Capital Mall move project
History:
As this agency grew in size the main building still had other tenants, so other space needed to be found for the increasing
number of staff.
Project details:
Tenant moved 2 divisions into this building over a 3 year span. The first was the central records division. This was 12
staff and the paper files of all members. The staff and files occupied all of the 6th
floor. Files were stored here until they
were converted to electronic files in early 2002. The 2nd
division was programming staff of the IT department on the 2nd
floor.
The space was within walking distance of the headquarters building. Both the 2nd
and 6th
floors where part of the Token
ring to Ethernet conversion project. The 2nd
floor was designed and built. Furniture was set up and network cables were
run to each station and then pre patched into switches that had been configured and mounted in the communications
closets (All remote locations shared a closet for both voice and data)
Friday afternoon of move weekend staff turned off their machines in their old locations and we came and disconnected the
computers and readied the computers for the movers to pick them up. Each staff member was given a number to place on
their boxes as well as their computer. The number was for their new desk location in the new building, so the movers
could place their computer and boxes in their new location. We then arrived at the new location to oversee the placement
of computers on the desktops, We checked for connectivity of the computer and returned Saturday morning along with the
Desktop support team and Reconfigured the software for each machine.
The building:
This is a 8 story building located in downtown and is 205,000 square feet. tenant occupied most of the 2nd
and all of the
6th
floors. The 6th floor was used by Central records and the 2nd
floor was IT staff. Two communications closets
connected the users to the client network. The voice equipment and the servers where moved to the 2nd
floor from the 6th
floor when we took over the 2nd
floor 6th floor feeds the 2nd
floor network.