DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure provider that simplifies cloud computing for developers, startups, and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). It offers cloud services, including virtual private servers (Droplets), managed databases, Kubernetes clusters, scalable storage solutions, and networking capabilities. Its user-friendly platform is designed to make cloud services accessible to developers at all skill levels, offering cost-effective and scalable solutions to help them deploy, manage, and scale applications.

As of 2024, DigitalOcean operates in 14 data center locations around the world. These data centers are spread across key geographic regions, allowing users to deploy services closer to their end-users, reducing latency and improving performance

Challenges

Why did Digital Ocean need remote hands services ?

DigitalOcean needed our tailored made services because it is challenging to find the right local personnel across so many global locations and to execute projects with the same level of care, precision, and standards they are accustomed to. Ensuring consistency and maintaining the highest level of quality across all data center installations and maintenance activities worldwide can be difficult without reliable support. Optora provides the expertise and consistent service delivery needed to meet these demands.

Scaling Infrastructure Efficiently

As DigitalOcean expands, scaling data centers in different regions can be a complex task. Ensuring proper capacity planning, smooth hardware integration, and managing inter-data center connectivity without causing downtime or overloading existing systems is critical.

Optora provides scalable infrastructure consulting and local hands-on support to assist with seamless deployment of new equipment and network integration across regions. Our “Remote Hands” service ensures DigitalOcean can scale their data centers without having to deploy internal teams to all locations, saving time and resources.

Downtime During Installation and Upgrades

Challenge: During installation of new hardware or upgrades, there’s a risk of downtime, which can affect service availability for customers. Managing the process to ensure minimal disruption is crucial.

Optora’s remote hands service ensures that skilled technicians can assist with installation, hardware swaps, and troubleshooting remotely or on-site without causing significant delays or downtime. With 24/7 availability, upgrades can be done during off-peak hours to reduce customer impact.

Singapore Data Center Migration Project for DigitalOcean

Project Overview:
In 2021, DigitalOcean tasked Optora with migrating 60 racks—containing approximately 1200 devices (servers, switches, and other network equipment)—from one data center to another in Singapore. The request came on short notice, with just one month of preparation time. Despite the tight deadline, the project was successfully completed in two months.

Key Points:

1. Team Structure and Logistics:
   • Optora flew in one technician from Amsterdam to collaborate with three to four local engineers in Singapore, each with clearly defined responsibilities. The team divided tasks efficiently:
     1. Running uplinks: Focused on ensuring switches were live and accessible by setting up all necessary power, management, and fiber uplinks before racking and stacking the migrated servers.
     2. Racking and stacking: One engineer focused on physically setting up the hardware in the racks.
     3. Structured cabling: Another ensured that all cabling was organized and properly routed for optimal performance.
     4. Troubleshooting equipment: A third engineer was dedicated to resolving any equipment issues during the migration, ensuring smooth operation post-installation.
   • The team also collaborated with a dedicated logistics team to transport the equipment in the new location.
   • A new data center cage was built out to house the 1200 devices, ensuring a smooth and organized setup.
2. Efficient Communication:
   • Continuous communication was maintained through Slack, facilitating real-time updates and issue resolution between Optora and DigitalOcean.
   • Weekly progress meetings ensured the customer was informed of major milestones and challenges, keeping the project on track.
3. Customer Involvement:
   • 80% of the work was handled independently by Optora’s team, requiring minimal involvement from DigitalOcean. This allowed the customer to focus on other priorities while ensuring the migration was professionally managed.
4. Quality of Execution:
   • 98% of the patching for the servers and network equipment was completed accurately, with only minor adjustments needed.
   • All migrated servers showed minimal to no system errors, reflecting the high level of precision and care taken during the migration process.
5. Timeline Achievement:
   • Despite the complexity of migrating a large-scale operation, the entire project was completed within two months, with 2-3 technicians working consistently to meet the deadlines.

Why This Solution Was Ideal for the Customer  

The solution met DigitalOcean’s need for a fast, seamless migration of 1200 devices with minimal downtime. Optora’s mix of local and international experts ensured consistent quality, while efficient communication via Slack and minimal customer involvement allowed DigitalOcean to focus on their core operations. High accuracy in patching and low system errors underscored the success of the project.

Advice for Other Companies Facing Similar Challenges  

Companies planning large-scale data center migrations should consider outsourcing to 3th party companies for skilled, efficient, and low-risk execution. Key to success is clear communication, reducing customer involvement, and leveraging external experts to ensure high-quality outcomes under tight deadlines.