Repurposing Data Center Equipment: The Complete Guide
No matter how well a data center has served its purpose, sooner or later, it–or the technology within the data center, must be retired.
This is where data center equipment repurposing comes into importance, allowing us to find new uses for retired IT assets and equipment previously used in the data center. We can “repurpose” data center equipment in several different ways, including reusing the equipment in another way (within the same data center/organization or otherwise), selling it to another party, donating it to charity, and so on.
In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about repurposing data center equipment, including:
The need and importance of repurposing retired technology
How to identify repurposable equipment and IT assets
Different repurposing use cases
Common obstacles and pitfalls in data center equipment repurposing
Step-by-step guide to the repurposing process
And more.
Let us begin this journey by exploring the concept of data center equipment repurposing and its benefits.
Repurposing Data Center Equipment: The Concept
All technology hardware, infrastructure, and software that are used in a data center will reach the end of their operational life for one reason or another: failure, becoming obsolete due to new technologies being adopted, and so on.
So, how can we maximize the ROI of these technologies and equipment that would otherwise be retired? The answer is repurposing the equipment rather than decommissioning it, recycling it, or discarding it entirely.
There are many different viable options to repurpose data center IT assets, but we can differentiate them into four main groups:
Reuse within the same organization: for example, an organization can use older servers previously used in its data center for hosting less critical software or for its testing environment. Older HDDs and SSDs could be repurposed to back up newer ones, and so on.
Selling the equipment: if the equipment is still in good condition, there’s also a large market for used IT equipment. Organizations of all types and sizes are actively looking to purchase used equipment, which can save them money.
Donate the equipment: another option is to donate the IT equipment to charities that accept such donations. This approach can help you support a good cause, for example to provide better technology access to underserved communities.
Recycle: used data center equipment can be recycled, so you can extract valuable materials (gold, copper, etc.) that can then be sold to maximize ROI and reduce the amount of e-waste.
The best way to repurpose each piece of equipment will vary depending on the equipment itself, the need of the data center/organization, and other factors. This is why the repurposing process should begin with a thorough assessment to determine the equipment’s condition, capabilities and identification of potential use cases. We will further discuss the actual repurposing steps later in this guide.
Yet, regardless of the options taken, repurposing can be a great way not only to maximize ROI and save money, but also to reduce environmental impact and benefit society in general. We’ll discuss these benefits in the next section.
The Importance and Benefits of Repurposing Data Center Equipment
Why do you need to repurpose your data center’s end-of-life equipment? There are actually multifaceted considerations:
Environmental impact of IT equipment
E-waste (electronic waste) is now the fastest-growing type of waste in the world, comprising 70% of the world’s overall toxic waste. E-waste continues to become a mounting environmental concern due to several factors:
Rapidly growing volume: technology is rapidly advancing, and devices/equipment are becoming obsolete much quicker than ever before. This means the volume of discarded equipment is also rapidly increasing every year.
Toxic materials: IT equipment contains a variety of components, and many of these components contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and others. 85% of e-waste is disposed of in landfills or incinerated, and these hazardous materials can contaminate the soil and groundwater or be released into the air.
Energy-intensive manufacturing: Manufacturing new IT equipment is energy and resource-intensive, so the faster we replace IT equipment, the more we will contribute to resource depletion and carbon emissions.
E-waste and energy concerns are a global issue, including in developing countries, where the disposal issue is becoming more and more serious. Repurposing data center equipment instead of straight-up disposal offers a more sustainable way to mitigate these environmental issues.
Cost-effective and sustainable practices
Repurposing IT equipment would also allow organizations to adopt more sustainable practices while, at the same time, saving the company money and resources in various ways:
Cost savings: Repurposing existing data center equipment is, in most cases, more cost-effective than purchasing new ones. This can provide serious financial benefits to the organization in the long run.
Resource conservation: By extending the lifespan of the otherwise retired equipment, we can reduce the need for materials and resources for manufacturing new ones.
Promoting circular economy: Repurposing data center equipment aligns the company with circular economy principles, where resources are recycled and reused to reduce environmental impact.
To summarize, repurposing end-of-life or retired data center equipment can provide the following benefits:
Cost-efficiency: Pretty simple, repurposing your equipment is often more cost-effective than purchasing brand-new equipment. This can lead to significant cost-savings for the business, especially on new equipment purchases.
Financial gains: Selling your used IT equipment can generate additional revenue and help you maximize ROI. Donating repurposed equipment can also allow the organization to support the local community and charitable causes.
Reduced environmental impact: By not disposing of your hardware in landfills or incinerating old equipment, repurposing your data center equipment allows you to contribute to a more sustainable future. Repurposing your equipment would also help conserve valuable resources (energy, metals, minerals, etc.) that would otherwise be used to manufacture new hardware.
Risk mitigation: Repurposing older equipment as spare equipment or backup can reduce risks like unforeseen downtime or equipment failure.
Improved security: When disposing of or decommissioning older equipment, there’s always the risk of data breaches when sensitive data in this older equipment isn’t properly wiped. Repurposing the equipment within the organization or ensuring proper data erasure before selling can reduce these risks.
Is Your Data Center Equipment Repurposable?
Not all pieces of hardware can be repurposed. For example, if a server is already non-functional, most likely, it can’t be repurposed and must be disposed of.
With that being said, repurposing data center equipment should begin with a systematic process of evaluating existing IT assets after establishing selection criteria.
Inventory and assessment of data center assets
The first thing you should do is to assess and inventory all of your data center’s IT assets: servers, hard drives, SSDs, networking peripherals, and so on.
Make sure to also include specifications, conditions, age, current performance data, and usage history, among other relevant details.
You can either conduct a physical inventory (or manual inventory) or automated (software-assisted inventory)
In manual inventory, you manually inspect the different IT assets while identifying their type, make, model, condition, etc. Or you can use asset management software to streamline and automate the assessment and asset tracking process. There are various software solutions available in the market that can help you track your IT assets, their condition, age, etc.
Some additional tips to consider regarding asset inventory:
Make sure to assess the capabilities and performance of each IT asset (whether manually or with software.) Take notes of equipment that is still working as intended and those that still meet performance requirements for popular applications.
Conduct a thorough physical inspection to identify signs of aging, wear and tear, and even physical damage. List all these defects, and don’t try to hide them.
If the IT asset can store data, it’s critical to make sure that all data stored on the asset is securely wiped according to the applicable data privacy and/or sanitization standards and relevant regulations.
Criteria for repurposing suitability
When assessing and evaluating IT assets, there are a few important criteria to consider for determining suitability for repurposing:
Age and reliability: In general, “younger” IT assets are more likely to be suitable for repurposing than older ones. Not only is the younger equipment more likely to be compatible with current popular applications and technologies, but it naturally has a longer remaining usable life.
Condition: Pretty self-explanatory, IT assets that are in good condition are more likely to be repurposable than those with defects or poor overall condition. In general, the IT asset must meet the performance requirements of the intended repurposed use, and equipment in good condition is more likely to meet (or even exceed) these requirements.
Performance and compatibility: IT assets with higher performance capabilities (i.e., faster processing speed) are more likely to be repurposable than those with lower performance. This is mainly because equipment with higher performance tends to meet the requirements of and be compatible with more applications and technologies, including newer ones.
Upgradability: Hardware that can be upgraded or modified to meet specific requirements tends to be more repurposable.
Redundancy: IT assets that are redundant may be able to serve as a backup device/system to reduce downtime or disruption risks.
Remaining useful life: IT assets that have a long remaining useable life are more likely to be suitable for repurposing, since they can be used for a longer period of time before they need replacement.
Exploring Potential Challenges in Repurposing Data Center Equipment
Despite the benefits, there are a few challenges and obstacles organizations may face when attempting to repurpose their data center equipment. Here, we’ll explore some of the most common challenges and provide actionable strategies to tackle them.
Data security and privacy concerns
Failure to safeguard sensitive/personal data during the repurposing process won’t only expose the organization (or its customers) to data breaches and other cybersecurity threats, but may also lead to compliance violations (which may result in legal or financial damages.)
It’s critical to make sure all data is properly wiped or destroyed from any equipment that stores data before it is repurposed.
Lack of awareness
Many organizations (or people within the organizations) are not yet aware of the importance and benefits of repurposing retired equipment. They may rely on traditional approaches like disposing of the equipment in landfills or incinerating their retired equipment.
How to tackle this issue:
Lack of expertise
Some organizations may not have the internal expertise to repurpose their retired equipment, leading to inappropriate practices. In turn, this can cause problems like security vulnerabilities and compliance issues.
How to tackle this issue: Build in-house expertise by investing in training programs, including for maintaining repurposed equipment. If necessary, get external help.
Compatibility issues
Older IT assets may not be compatible with newer applications and technologies, so integrating repurposed equipment into another system or infrastructure can be challenging.
How to tackle this issue: Conduct thorough compatibility checks. Confirm compatibility of candidates with existing applications and technologies before committing to repurposing.
Regulatory compliance
Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and laws (i.e., data privacy, environmental, etc.) when repurposing data center equipment can be demanding and sometimes confusing.
How to tackle this issue: Stay updated with relevant laws and regulations as well as certifications and develop comprehensive plans to ensure adherence.
Equipment aging and reliability
Older equipment may have (hidden) performance and reliability issues, which may result in higher potential downtime, higher maintenance costs, or suboptimal performance when the equipment is repurposed to a new role.
How to tackle this issue: Continuously monitor the repurposed assets and check whether they perform as desired in the repurposed role.
The Right Partner in Repurposing Your Data Center Equipment; Big Data Supply Inc.
A viable solution to repurpose your data center equipment while tackling the challenges above is to partner with a specialist IT asset disposition company like Big Data Supply Inc.
Big Data Supply Inc. is an experienced and certified IT asset disposition company that specializes in repurposing data center equipment and offers a comprehensive range of repurposing services, including:
Repurchasing and reselling: Big Data Supply Inc. will purchase your retired data center equipment at a competitive price. This can be a viable option to help you maximize the equipment’s value.
Equipment assessment and inventory: Big Data Supply Inc. will conduct a thorough assessment of your data center’s IT assets and provide a comprehensive and accurate inventory of assets.
Data center equipment cleaning and testing: Big Data Supply Inc. can test and perform thorough cleaning of the data center equipment to ensure that everything is in the best possible working condition.
Data sanitization: Robust and secure data sanitization processes ensure that sensitive data and information are securely wiped from the IT asset before it is repurposed. Big Data Supply Inc. can provide a Certificate of Data Destruction for compliance purposes.
Refurbishment and upgrades: Big Data Supply Inc. can refurbish and upgrade your equipment, so it can meet the performance requirements of the repurposed role, whether for reuse within your organization or for sale to other organizations.
Recycling: Big Data Supply Inc. can recycle your IT assets responsibly, ensuring all hazardous materials are handled responsibly, and sensitive data is properly sanitized.
Environmental compliance: Big Data Supply Inc. is well-versed in environmental laws, regulations, and certifications. You can be sure your data center equipment is treated with responsible practices or disposal.
Big Data Supply Inc. is a RIOS and R2v3 certified IT asset disposition company, with both certifications only given to companies that closely follow the best practices specifically for electronic waste and the electronics industry in general.
Big Data Supply Inc. has an audited management system in place, which ensures a consistent level of responsible and safe processes anywhere and anytime.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reached the end of this guide, let’s reflect on the importance of responsibly repurposing your data center equipment in a variety of ways:
Environmental responsibility: Repurposing data center equipment fosters responsible technology consumption, reducing the creation of e-waste while promoting a healthy circular IT economy.
Financial prudence: Repurposing your retired IT assets can allow your organization to significantly save costs and improve the ROI of long-term investments.
Technological resilience: Repurposing data center equipment enables your organization to rapidly adapt to shifting business needs without needing to invest in exorbitant infrastructure.
Sustainable innovation: Repurposing your data center equipment means you are committed to contributing to realizing a sustainable tech ecosystem with responsible resource management and active reduction of carbon footprints.
Risk mitigation: You can repurpose older IT assets as backups or test environments, enabling you to protect your business against unexpected downtime due to cyberattacks or other uncertainties.
In short, opting for repurposing your data center equipment won’t just benefit you financially, but will also allow your business to contribute towards a more eco-responsible and sustainable future.
Reach out to Big Data Supply Inc. today, so you’ll get a reliable partner in your repurposing journey.
