CDCP Practice Exam Questions with Answers Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) Certification

The primary reason to install a monitoring system in the data centre is to notice abnormalities early so that actions can be taken to avoid disasters, according to the CDCP Preparation Guide1 and various web sources234. A monitoring system is a system that collects and analyzes data about the power, cooling, environmental, and security conditions in the data centre, and alerts the operators or managers about any issues or threats that may affect the performance, availability, or reliability of the data centre. A monitoring system can help to prevent or minimize the impact of disasters, such as power outages, fire, water damage, overheating, equipment failure, or cyberattacks, by providing timely and accurate information that enables fast and corrective action. A monitoring system can also help to improve the energy efficiency, capacity planning, and asset management of the data centre, by providing useful insights and trends that support informed decision making.

References:

1: CDCP Preparation Guide, page 21, section 2.3.5 2: Improving Data Center Management and Monitoring5, page 1, section 1 3: Guide to Data Center Monitoring6, page 1, section 1 4: Why Data Center Monitoring is Essential7, page 1, section 1

When having two non-synchronized power sources, the ATS / STS need to be of the type break before make, which means that the switch disconnects from one source before connecting to the other source. This prevents any short circuit, back feed, or phase mismatch that could occur if the two sources were connected simultaneously. Break before make switches are also known as open transition switches, because they create a brief interruption in the power supply during the switching process. This interruption is usually acceptable for most ICT equipment, as they have internal power supplies or batteries that can handle the transient. However, if the interruption is not acceptable, then the two power sources need to be synchronized before switching, which requires a make before break switch, also known as a closed transition switch. Make before break switches connect to the second source before disconnecting from the first source, which ensures a seamless transfer of power without any interruption. However, make before break switches require that the two sources have the same voltage, frequency, and phase, which can be achieved by using a synchronization module or a phase-locked loop.

References:

1: CDCP Preparation Guide, page 17, section 2.3.1 2: STS in data centres - Borri3, page 1, section 1 4: Using Static Transfer Switches to Enhance Data Center … - Donwil5, page 1, section 1 6: What is an Automatic Transfer Switch (Power)? | Ethan Banks7, page 1, section 1

Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, such as computers, servers, switches, cables, and wiring. These fires require the use of non-conductive extinguishing agents, such as carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or clean agent, to prevent electrical shock and damage to the equipment. Water-based extinguishers, such as Class A or K, are not suitable for Class C fires, as water can conduct electricity and cause electrocution or short circuits.

References: EPI Data Centre Training Framework, CDCP Preparation Guide, ABCs of Fire Extinguishers

The main difference between an Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) and a Building Management System (BMS) is that an EMS monitors only, while a BMS monitors and controls. An EMS is a system that collects and records data from various sensors and devices that measure environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, air quality, power, and water. An EMS provides alerts and reports based on the data, but it does not control or adjust the environmental conditions. A BMS is a system that integrates and manages various building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, security, fire, and access. A BMS not only monitors the data from these systems, but also controls and optimizes them to achieve the desired performance and efficiency. A BMS can also communicate with an EMS to receive data and provide feedback.

References:

1: Environmental Monitoring Systems vs Building Management Systems2, page 1, section 1 3: Building Monitoring System vs Environmental Monitoring System4, page 1, section 1 5: BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND HOW THEY MEET GMP …6, page 1, section 1 7: Environmental Monitoring System vs. Building Management System8, page 1, section 1

Back-up generators are essential for providing power to the data centre in case of a utility outage. However, back-up generators also generate a lot of heat, which needs to be dissipated by a cooling system. The cooling system may rely on water supply, either from the municipal network or from a dedicated tank. If the water supply fails, the cooling system may not function properly, leading to overheating and potential damage to the generators. This could compromise the reliability and availability of the data centre power supply and cause downtime or data loss.

References:

1: CDCP Preparation Guide, page 18, section 2.3.2 2: Data Center Generator Cooling Systems3, page 1, section 1 4: Data Center Cooling Systems5, page 1, section 1

MTBF stands for Mean Time Between Failures, and it is the arithmetic mean of time between the failing and the subsequent running of the system in a particular time period. MTBF is a measure of reliability that indicates how often a system or component fails during its operation. MTBF can be calculated by dividing the total operating time by the number of failures over a given period. For example, if a system operates for 1000 hours and experiences 5 failures, the MTBF is 1000/5 = 200 hours.

References: EPI Data Centre Training Framework, CDCP Preparation Guide, MTBF, MTTR, MTTF, MTTA: Understanding incident metrics - Atlassian

Damaged brand perception is an example of an indirect cost because it is not directly related to a specific product or service, but rather to the overall reputation and image of the company. Damaged brand perception can result from various factors, such as poor quality, customer dissatisfaction, security breaches, or negative publicity. Damaged brandperception can affect the company’s ability to attract and retain customers, partners, and investors, and thus reduce its profitability and competitiveness.

References: EPI Data Centre Training Framework, Indirect Cost: Definition and Example, What Is Indirect Cost? Definition, Types and Examples.

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Waveform distortion is a type of AC power quality anomaly that occurs when the shape of the voltage or current waveform deviates from the ideal sinusoidal shape. Waveform distortion can be caused by nonlinear loads, such as rectifiers, inverters, variable frequency drives, and electronic devices, that draw current in pulses or harmonics. Waveform distortion can result in overheating, reduced efficiency, malfunctioning, or damage of equipment.

References: EPI Data Centre Training Framework, CDCP Preparation Guide, 5 anomalies in AC power that can damage your home devices, 9 Most Common Power Quality Problems

A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is a device that provides backup power to electrical equipment in case of a power outage or fluctuation. A UPS is essential for both CCTV cameras and recording equipment, as it ensures that the surveillance system can continue to operate and record without interruption or data loss. A UPS can also protect the CCTV cameras and recording equipment from damage caused by power surges or spikes. Connecting both CCTV cameras and recording equipment to a UPS is a requirement for data centres, as it enhances the security and reliability of the surveillance system.

References: Technical Specification - GeM, [What is a UPS? | Uninterruptible Power Supply | APC by Schneider Electric], [Why You Need a UPS for Your CCTV System - CCTV Camera World].

Infrared humidifiers are a type of humidifier that use quartz lamps to heat water in an open pool and evaporate it into the air. They are energy-intensive and require frequent maintenance and cleaning. They are not recommended for data centers, as they can introduce contaminants and bacteria into the air, and increase the risk of fire and electrical hazards.

References: EPI Data Centre Training Framework, CDCP Preparation Guide, Make Humidification Adjustments | ENERGY STAR

Shielded twisted pair cables (STP) are Ethernet cables that feature additional protection against electromagnetic interference from external sources, such as radio waves, microwaves, or other network cables. This is achieved by wrapping each pair of wires with a conductive shield, usually made of foil or braided wire, and then enclosing the entire cable with another shield layer. However, this shielding is not effective against low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power cables, which can induce currents and voltages in the network cables and cause signal distortion or data loss. Low frequency EMF can only be reduced by increasing the distance between the power and network cables, or by using a tre-foil cable arrangement, which is a special configuration of three power cables twisted together to cancel out the magnetic fields they generate.

References: STP Cable: Your Shield Against Network Disturbances; What is Shielded Twisted Pair Cable? - Advantages, Disadvantages; Shielded vs. Unshielded Cables: What’s the Difference? - Cable Matters.

According to the CDCP® Preparation Guide, a natural disaster is a catastrophic event that is caused by natural forces and has a significant impact on human lives, property, and environment. Hurricanes are examples of natural disasters, as they are powerful storms that form over warm ocean waters and produce strong winds, heavy rain, storm surges, and flooding. Grid failure, blackouts, and human error are not natural disasters, but rather man-made or technological disasters that result from failures or errors in human systems or activities.

References: CDCP® Preparation Guide, page 9. Natural Disaster Readiness for Data Centers. EM-DAT - The international disaster database. PDC Global - Pacific Disaster Center.

Data centre design and infrastructure standards can vary from country to country, depending on the local regulations, codes, and practices. Therefore, it is important to check the local standards before designing, building, or operating a data centre in a specific location. Compliance to only international standards may not be sufficient or adequate to meet the local requirements, which could result in legal, financial, or operational risks. For example, some countries may have stricter fire safety, environmental, or energy efficiency standards than the international ones. Some countries may also have different electrical standards, such as voltage, frequency, or plug types. By checking the local standards, you can ensure that your data centre is compliant, safe, and efficient in the local context.

References:

1: Data Center Design: Which Standards to Follow?2, page 1, section 1 3: The Most Important Data Center Design and Infrastructure Codes and Standards4, page 1, section 1 5: Explaining the new family of ISO Data Centre Standards6, page 1, section 1 7: Standards for data centre certification. Is a changing coming?8, page 1, section 1

A service corridor is a dedicated space within or adjacent to a data centre that allows access to the supporting facilities, such as power, cooling, fire suppression, security, and cabling systems, without interfering with the computer room operations. A service corridor helps to isolate the noise, vibration, heat, and dust generated by the supporting facilities from the sensitive equipment in the computer room. A service corridor also enhances the safety and efficiency of the maintenance and monitoring activities, as well as the flexibility and scalability of the data centre design.

References: EPI Data Centre Training Framework, CDCP Preparation Guide, Service Corridors Definition | Law Insider

Glass door racks are a type of rack that have solid glass front doors and rear door heat exchangers (RDHx). RDHx are devices that use facility coolant to absorb heat from the exhaust air of the IT equipment and return cool air to the room. RDHx can be either passive or active, depending on the fan configuration. In general, IT hardware within the rack is air-cooled and the door heat exchanger uses facility coolant to absorb heat from exhaust air to return air to the facility at or near inlet air temperature to the rack. This rear door heat exchanger can either be a passive or active solution. When dealing with glass door racks, cool air is injected into the rack from the rear door in a downflow direction. This means that the cool air flows from the top to the bottom of the rack, following the natural convection of the hot air rising. This way, the cool air can reach all the IT equipment in the rack and prevent hot spots or overheating.

References: [SOLVED] Rack - Solid or Mesh front door? - Data Center IT](https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/510677-rack-solid-or-mesh-front-door), ChilledDoor, Rear Door Heat Exchanger | Data Center Cooling, ACS Door Heat Exchanger Requirements for Open Rack.