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Notes from the data hall

Practical writing on data centre operations from engineers who do the work: what smart hands actually covers, how to plan a migration that survives contact with the loading bay, and how to choose between optical technologies. No vendor marketing.

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Operations
In-house engineers vs a smart hands provider
When it makes sense to employ data centre engineers directly, when to use a provider, and the honest cost and coverage trade-offs between the two.
11 August 2026 · 8 min read
Operations
Facility smart hands vs an independent provider
Your colocation provider offers smart hands, and so do independent firms. An honest comparison of what each is better at, including when the facility's own team is the right choice.
11 August 2026 · 7 min read
Networks
DWDM vs CWDM: which fits your link?
Both multiply the capacity of a fibre pair by assigning channels to wavelengths. The differences in channel spacing, distance, amplification and cost decide which one belongs on your route.
4 August 2026 · 7 min read
Migrations
The data centre migration checklist
A practical, phase-by-phase checklist for moving racks between halls, sites or providers, with the questions that determine whether the plan survives contact with the loading bay.
28 July 2026 · 9 min read
Operations
Remote hands vs smart hands: what is the difference?
Remote hands covers simple prescriptive tasks. Smart hands covers skilled work needing judgement on site. Here is where the line actually falls, and why it matters commercially.
14 July 2026 · 6 min read

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Notes from the data hall

All articles

In-house engineers vs a smart hands provider

Facility smart hands vs an independent provider

DWDM vs CWDM: which fits your link?

The data centre migration checklist

Remote hands vs smart hands: what is the difference?

Data Centre Pulse