University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory - WCDC power distribution unit replacement – Maintenance details

WCDC power distribution unit replacement

Completed
Scheduled for January 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM – 5:25 PM

Affects

Internal Services

Under maintenance from 2:30 PM to 5:25 PM

Other Internal Services

Under maintenance from 2:30 PM to 5:25 PM

Datacentres

Under maintenance from 2:30 PM to 5:25 PM

WCDC

Under maintenance from 2:30 PM to 5:25 PM

Updates
  • Completed
    January 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
    Completed
    January 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
    Maintenance has completed successfully.
  • In progress
    January 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
    In progress
    January 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
    Maintenance is now in progress
  • Planned
    January 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
    Planned
    January 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM

    We will be replacing a power distribution unit (PDU) in our core infrastructure rack in the West Cambridge Data Centre, which powers the 1Gbps switches and a small number of other infrastructure systems. No user impact is expected, except for the following cases:

    • User servers tfc-app1, tfc-app2, tfc-app4 will lose networking for approximately half an hour

    • Verex access control management (card access updates etc.) will be unavailable for approximately half an hour

    • Minor delays in authenticating to Active Directory are possible, as one of the three domain controllers (adsrv07) will be turned off for approximately 45 minutes

    • BMC and serial console access to other systems in WCDC will be unavailable for approximately 30 minutes

    One of the two DHCP servers (sxp12) will also be turned off, but the other server should seamlessly handle all DHCP requests.

    This work is not related to the Estates electrical work happening in WCDC on the same day, but we have scheduled our work to take place during the same vulnerable period. Our PDU replacement will not reduce resilience any further.