The Uptime data center tier standards  are a standardized methodology used to determine availability in a facility. TheUptime Institute established the tiered system, which offers companies a way to measure their performance and return on investment (ROI).  The standards consist of a four-tiered scale, with Tier 4 being the most robust. The Uptime Institute offers a certification process in order to address the issue of companies advertising inaccurate interpretations of the standards and offer certification that is unverified. The beginning stage of the certification process involves submitting design documents and having them reviewed by licensed Uptime Institute engineers. The next step involves site visitations by Uptime employees to determine if the data center facility has been built or expanded according to the design that was submitted. The Uptime Institute has also released a grading system for operational sustainability to better improve the tier standards. The tiers focus on the how the data center facility is designed, and the operational sustainability grades evaluate how well the facility is operating. Tier I: Basic Data Center Infrastructure The fundamental requirement(s): A Tier I basic data center must have non-redundant capacity components and a single, non-redundant distribution path servicing the computer equipment. The performance confirmation test(s): Work that is planned will require most or all of the site infrastructure systems to be shut down affecting computer equipment, systems, and end users. Unplanned outages, failure or unplanned downtime of any capacity system, capacity component, or distribution element will impact the computer equipment. There must be enough capacity to meet the needs of the facility. The operational impact(s): The site is susceptible to disruption from both planned and unplanned activities.…